Would you like tips based on experiences in the academic office? While our office works with secondary students, some ideas can be adjusted to make them appropriate for elementary students as well.
Strategic Questions Make a Difference
Asking questions can help students understand and implement important study habits:
- “How are you going to study tonight?” implies an expectation, implies capacity to make decisions, and helps students think through study logistics to answer the question. Students may initially need coaching to arrive at a good answer.
- “What are you going to do tomorrow?” helps students recognize that not everything has to be done right now and helps them begin to create a plan.
- “How do you know you’re ready for your test?” helps students learn to set goals.
Zeroing in on Zeros
Students sometimes have “aha” moments when we talk about zeros having a double impact. What’s that about?
Zeros, which typically result from not doing homework, usually mean that the student’s grade is significantly affected—and that the student hasn’t learned the material. Ouch.
To help your middle or high school student avoid those zeros, try asking the student to
- Write down all assignments in a planner, printed or electronic, showing you where the information came from and that the information is organized effectively in the planner.
- Check off each assignment when completed and again when it is turned in.
- Show you this planner (with check offs) every day until it becomes a consistent habit.
See our website for more ideas about good study habits, including links to online study resources.
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