Winter Newsletter
SCHOOL COUNSELOR CORNER
Study Strategies
Organization
- Create an organization system that works for you - Each student should decide how they want to organize their school work. Some choose to use a binder with divider tabs for each subject, while others prefer an expandable file with separate sections or a folder for each class.
- Go through papers on a regular basis - Students should clean out their binder and/or folders each week. They can make sure that their papers are in the correct sections and recycle anything they do not need. This includes going through their backpack and locker to take out and file any loose papers.
- Organize documents on the computer - When using Google documents, students can create separate files for each class so that they can find their documents quickly.
- Using a planner - Each student should have a system for recording their assignments that works for them. Some examples include, an agenda pad, a Google Document, a notebook, sticky post-it notes or notes section app in an electronic device. The team homework websites are a great resource, but it is a good idea for students to get in the habit of recording their own homework.
Time Management
- Create a schedule - It is important for students to plan their time outside of school. Although there is some time during PLC to complete assignments, it is usually not enough to finish all homework. When possible, setting aside the same time each afternoon to work on homework will create a routine for work completion. Students can join Homework Club to help them with having a set time for working on assignments after school.
- Estimate how long each assignment will take - Students should look at their list of assignments and try to decide how long each one will take to complete. By doing this, students will have a better idea about the length of time that they will need to spend on their homework. Studying for upcoming tests and quizzes should be factored into time spent on completing assignments as well. For some students, using a timer can be helpful to move them forward with finishing their to-do list.
- Prioritize assignments - When looking at their homework list, it is important for students to determine the order in which their assignments should be completed. High priority assignments would be ones that are due the next day or preparing for an upcoming assessment.
Learning Style
Visual Learner - Someone who takes in information through what they read or see.
- Read through your notes and create a drawing to represent the information.
- Watch a video on the topic that you are learning about and take notes.
- Use a highlighter when you are reading so that you can go back through to review the important information you selected at a later time.
- Before reading an article or chapter, scan through any graphs, charts, pictures and/or maps to preview the information you are about to learn.
Auditory Learner - Someone who takes in information through what they hear.
- Read your notes, articles or directions out loud to yourself.
- Have a discussion with a partner or study group about the information you are learning.
- Listen carefully during class to your teacher or peers when they are speaking.
- Ask a peer or family member to quiz you verbally about topics you are learning.
- Listen to a video or podcast about a topic you are learning about in class.
Kinesthetic/Tactile Learner - Someone who takes in information by physically doing something and hands on learning
- Make flash cards and create a game, such as matching, to learn the information.
- Stand or walk around while saying new information you are learning out loud.
- Take frequent breaks or use a fidget while studying.
- Toss a ball while reviewing information that you are learning with a peer or family member.
(Sources: Naviance, www.okcareertech.org, www.learning-styles-online.com)
T.E.A.M Class
To practice the teamwork skills, students were asked to perform different activities where they were required to work together to achieve a goal. During one of the activities, the Paper Tower, students were assigned to groups, and then they were challenged to create the tallest and sturdiest paper tower in the classroom during a set amount of time. Strategies were reviewed with the students before being set to task. These strategies included, listening to the ideas of all members of the group, coming to an agreement about the plan to be implemented and deciding on the roles for each student in the group. These are all helpful skills that students will be able to carry over to many aspects of their academic and personal lives.
With the topic of problem solving, students were asked to work in a cooperative group to develop a structure out of Lego pieces and then design a set of directions that other students could follow to re-create the structure. Once all of the directions were developed, the students rotated to all the groups to try to put the structures together. The steps of problem solving were reviewed with the students: sort out the directions provided, think about a possible solution, come up with an action plan and then reflect on the results. We discussed different times in their lives where problem solving is required (i.e. struggling in an academic class, having a conflict with a peer), and we talked about who are the trusted people in their lives who they can turn to when they need help.
I am hopeful that sixth graders will be able to take some of the skills that they gather from the TEAM class and apply them to different situation and obstacles that they encounter outside of the classroom.