Welcome to Ms. Briggs' Studying Strategies Blog!

I am a ninth grade biology teacher at Friendship Collegiate Academy in Washington, DC.
I have the opportunity to teach incredibly talented and curious 13 and 14 year-olds, but this past year, I noticed an overwhelming trend: many of my students’ test results often did not match their abilities. I investigated this further by analyzing student data and through my own observations and realized that the main thing preventing my students from truly succeeding was their study habits. Many of my students did not study at all for exams, because they did not realize the importance of studying or because they simply did not know how. This blog is designed to be a resource for both parents and students to help support all students in their attempts to become better scholars! Please check out this blog – use the advice and tips, comment with questions or criticism and feel free to add your own resources as we all grow together as an educational community.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Quick studying tips for students and teachers


FOR STUDENTS: Here’s a list of tips and possible ways to review in preparation for an upcoming exam:
1.     Complete any review packets or review materials given to you by your teacher
2.     Create flashcards of key terms/vocabulary words with definitions on the back – review these flashcards by yourself or with a friend or parent
3.     Rewrite class notes by outlining the most important parts
4.     Work through old exams, homeworks, quizzes to get extra practice
5.     Take a practice exam
6.     Make a “BOOM” bag – a bag with questions and answers on it that can be played with one or more individuals. If a boom is received, everyone must put their cards back n the bag. 
7.     Attend tutoring to further explore topics
8.     Get a good night’s sleep after studying to help your brain process information
9.     Spread out your studying
10. Make to- do lists and prioritize what to study first
11. Put in mini-breaks during studying  
12. Reward yourself for your accomplishments!
13. Don’t let yourself procrastinate!
14. Create your own study guide/ study schedule to stay on track

FOR TEACHERS: Possible review activities:
1.     Station review
2.     Review packets
3.     Review games (jeopardy, taboo, Go Fish, Earn your seat, memory games, bingo)
4.     Make and use flashcards in class
5.     Have students identify learning styles in class and learn about specific review activities for each learning style
6.     Use study logs
7.     Focus on different reviewing strategies in different units of the year
8.     Teach mnemonics for important concepts 

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