MAKING CONNECTIONS FOR STUDENT SUCCESS Making Connection for Student Sucess is designed to support the personalized learning approach the National Association for Secondary School Principals promotes as an effective strategy for creating critical relationships between students, their teachers and their learning. Themes include Making Connections for: Belonging Personal Plan for Organizational Strategies Study Skills Career Planning Each theme begins with a Personalized Learning Summary Chart that identifies the goal of every activity. The Teacher Manual contains complete lessons and instructional suggestions. The Student Manual includes student information, exercises, tips, and self-reflection and planning opportunities. The resources provide a flexible approach. Content may be: used as a complete program integrated into existing courses used as distinct lessons or activities
MAKING CONNECTIONS FOR STUDENT SUCCESS FAMILY STUDENT SCHOOL Research says connecting students to their educational environment improves achievement. STUDENT MANUAL
MAKING CONNECTIONS FOR STUDENT SUCCESS STUDENT MANUAL Student Name Advisor Name Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan. Tom Landry
CONTENTS Introduction to Personalizing Education for Students... 1 Purpose of Making Connections for Student... 3 Role of the Advisor... 3 Organization of the Student Manual... 4 CONNECTION ONE BELONGING Personalized Learning Summary Chart... 6 Personal Information... 7 Class Information... 8 I d Like To Introduce... 11 Getting Ready For The Interview... 11 Conducting The Interview... 12 Preparing The Introduction... 13 School Activity Exploration... 14 Personal Learning Style Exploration... 15 Common Learning Styles... 16 CONNECTION TWO PERSONAL PLAN FOR SUCCESS Personalized Learning Summary Chart... 18 Interpreting Quotes, Proverbs And Anonymous Sayings... 20 In The Crystal Ball I See... 22 From General To Specific... 23 My Personal Learning Plan... 24 What Factors Affect Your Goals?... 32 Factors Affecting My Goals... 33 Monitoring Personal Report Card Progress... 36 Where, Oh Where Is A Good Place To Study?... 40 Long-term, Short-term, And Panic Study Schedules... 41 Top Ten Tips For Studying... 42 CONNECTION THREE ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGIES Personalized Learning Summary Chart... 46 Reverse Scheduling... 47 Binder Solutions... 48 Notes! Notes! Notes!... 49 Time s A Wasting... 50 ii Contents
Prioritizing Activities... 52 Prioritizing My Week s Activities... 54 Tomorrow s To Do List... 56 CONNECTION FOUR STUDY SKILLS Personalized Learning Summary Chart... 58 Study Skills Inventory... 60 Skimming For Key Information... 62 The SQ4R Method... 63 Did I Hear What You Just Said?... 64 Tips For Improving Your Classroom Listening Skill... 65 Write That Down!... 66 Creating Study Notes... 67 Memorizing... 72 Personal Preparation... 73 Knowing The Question Formats... 75 How Do I Write The Test? How Should I Write The Test?... 77 Response Strategies... 79 Responding To Subject Specific Questions... 80 Managing Test Anxiety... 82 CONNECTION FIVE CAREER PLANNING Personalized Learning Summary Chart... 84 Career Vs Job... 86 Self-Awareness, A Reality Check... 88 Personal Working Page... 89 Finding The Right Fit... 90 Self-Inventory Of Occupational Interests And Skills... 93 What Courses Do I Need To Register In?... 95 Exploring Career Interests... 96 Career Exploration Planning And Results Chart... 98 Decisions! Decisions! Decisions!... 100 Where Will The Money Come From?... 102 References... 105 Contents iii
Copyright Protected CONNECTION FOUR MAKING CONNECTIONS FOR STUDY SKILLS I can give you a six-word formula for success: Think things through then follow through. Eddie Rickenbacker Connection Four Study Skills 57
Not for Reproduction Personalized Learning Summary Chart Personal Need THEME 1 Effective Study Skills Activity 1 Study Skills Inventory LESSON 2 Reading Strategies Activity 1 Skimming for Key Information Activity 2 The SQ4R Method THEME 3 Listening Strategies Activity 1 Did I Hear What You Just Said? THEME 4 Note Taking Strategies Activity 1 Write That Down! THEME 5 Reviewing Strategies Activity 1 Creating Study Notes Activity 2 Memorizing School Practice Critical Relationship Student Manual Page Study Skills Inventory Skimming for Key Information The SQ4R Method Did I Hear What You Just Said? Tips for Improving Your Classroom Listening Skill Write That Down! Creating Study Notes Memorizing 58 Making Connections Student Manual
Copyright Protected THEME 6 Exam Writing Strategies Activity 1 Personal Preparation Activity 2 Knowing the Question Formats Activity 3 How Do I Write The Test? How Should I Write The Test? Activity 4 Response Strategies Activity 5 Responding to Subject Specific Questions Activity 6 Managing Test Anxiety Personal Preparation Knowing the Question Formats How Do I Write The Test? How Should I Write The Test? Response Strategies Responding to Subject Specific Questions Managing Test Anxiety Connection Four Study Skills 59
Not for Reproduction STUDY SKILLS INVENTORY The Study Skills Inventory is intended to help you become familiar with your study habits and attitudes. It is intended to help you identify areas where you may wish to focus on improving your skills. Read each statement and consider how it applies to you. If it applies to you, circle Yes. If it does not apply to you, circle No. 1. I feel so overwhelmed with assignments that I can t get started. Yes No 2. I usually write my papers at the last minute. Yes No 3. I have difficulty putting my thoughts on paper. Yes No 4. When reading I can t identify the main ideas. Yes No 5. I use the same reading speed for all subjects and materials. Yes No 6. I wish I could read faster. Yes No 7. When I finish a reading assignment, I can t remember what I ve just read. Yes No 8. I find it difficult to determine what is important when reading from a textbook. Yes No 9. I can t keep up with my reading assignments, and then I have to cram the night before the exam. Yes No 10. I spend too much time studying for the amount I am learning. Yes No 11. I usually cram for an exam. Yes No 12. Studying interferes with my social life. Yes No 13. When I study, I turn on the TV or music. Yes No 14. I find studying for long periods of time very difficult. Yes No 15. I go to class but I can t stay focused. Yes No 16. I don t understand my class notes. Yes No 17. My class notes don t reflect the important material Yes No 18. I don t review my class notes when preparing for tests. Yes No 19. I do poorly on essay tests. Yes No 20. Even when I study for a test, my mind goes blank. Yes No 21. I only study when a test is approaching and don t do well. Yes No 60 Making Connections Student Manual
Copyright Protected The following chart sorts the questions into categories. Using your responses to the questions, complete the chart. The Study Skills Inventory maybe a useful starting point for identifying specific areas that you may wish to focus on to improve of your study habits. Remember, it is only a starting point. Study Skills Question Numbers The number you answered Yes to Check ( ) if you need to focus on this skill Writing Skills 1, 2, and 3 Reading 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 Time Scheduling 10, 11, and 12 Concentration 13, 14, and 15 Listening 16, 17, and 18 Exams 19, 20, and 21 There are many effective strategies that you can learn and apply to help you maximize your study time and improve your achievement. Like any new skill you learn, you have to practice, practice, practice. The more you use the skill, the better you become in applying it and the more benefit you get from your study time. Connection Four Study Skills 61