Teacher’s Guide - Study Skills

© 2010 - Learning Curve Education

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Study Skills

Activity 1

In groups, students should discuss the following questions:

a) ‘What time of day is best for me to do studying or homework?’

b) ‘Where is the best place for me to do studying or homework?’

c) ‘How do I study best?’

Each group should record the main observations arising from the discussion.

The teacher should invite groups to feedback their main findings. These can be recorded on a flipchart or whiteboard.

Activity 2

Individually, students should complete the Study Skills questionnaire. They should consider each aspect of studying and homework and tick the appropriate box. Teachers should be aware that the term ‘Homework’ refers to school-based assignments that students are required to complete in their own time, usually at home. Studying is a broader term, reflecting the process of revising, revisiting or consolidating learning, often in preparation for tests or exams, or to reinforce knowledge and understanding and skills.

Studying and Homework Yes No

I spend too much time on studying and homework

I don’t spend enough time on studying and homework

I can’t seem to get a good balance between studying and social life

I bring home the materials I need to complete my homework

I record my homework assignments in a planner or diary

If I’m having difficulty with an assignment, I try to get help

I usually manage to hand my homework in on time

I prefer to study straight after school

I prefer to take a break after school and study in the evenings

I prefer to use week-ends for studying

I write down what I want to achieve before I begin studying

I organise all the stuff I am going to need before I begin studying

Teacher’s Guide - Study Skills

© 2010 - Learning Curve Education

3

I make a plan of the topics or subjects that I am going to study

I decide how long I am going to spend on each topic or subject

I choose the more difficult assignments to complete first

I study by creating my own questions

I have my own ways of memorising important terms and ideas

I prefer to sit at a desk or table when I am studying

I prefer to sit on my bed when I am studying

I prefer to move around when I am studying

I prefer to study in longer blocks of time

I prefer to take regular breaks when I am studying

I make sure the place where I study has good lighting

I study best just by reading over my school notes or a text book

I use a highlighter pen to identify important points

I make a list of the important points in a topic or subject

I listen to audio recordings of my study notes

I drink water when I am studying

It helps me to have music in the background when I am studying

I like to have the TV on when I am studying

I prefer to study on my own

I prefer to study with other people

I find it hard to study without becoming tired or distracted

I make sure that I don’t get interrupted when I am studying

I like to have a snack when I am studying

Activity 3

Working with a partner (or in small groups), students should discuss and reflect upon their approaches to studying and homework. They can contrast their own Yes/No answers to the Study Skills questionnaire with those of their partner, or with others in the group. Where students have contrasting responses, they should talk about why they feel differently about that aspect of studying or homework.

Teacher’s Guide - Study Skills

© 2010 - Learning Curve Education

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Teacher’s Guide - Study Skills

© 2010 - Learning Curve Education

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Teacher’s Guide - Study Skills

© 2010 - Learning Curve Education

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Things I can do to improve my Study Skills

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