« Teaching in the Content Areas | Main | Writing Skills »
December 30, 2004
Academic Success Strategies for Adolescents
Academic Success Strategies for Adolescents with Learning Disabilities & ADHD (Great Book for Teaching High School Students Study Strategies)
Esther Minskoff & David Allsopp
Cognitive Learning Strategies and Systematic, Explicit Instruction
The Active Learner Approach
Designed to develop student mastery of cognitive learning strategies in the following areas:
- Organization
- Test Taking
- Study Skills
- Notetaking
- Reading
- Writing
- Math
- Advanced Thinking
Different Types of Learning Strategies
- Mnemonics
- Visualization
- Verbalization
- Graphic Organizers
- Structured Steps
- Multisensory Learning
Steps of Systematic Explicit Instruction
Step 1: Introduction
Step 2: Modeling
Step 3: Guided Practice
Step 4: Independent Practice
Step 5: Generalization
ORGANIZATION
Students with Learning Disabilities have difficulties managing materials.
What are the Different Subskills of Organization?
1. Using planning aids: planner or calendar
2. Recording tests and assignments in the planning aids
3. Attending class
4. Setting goals
Materials Management Subskills:
1. Using notebooks.
2. Organizing materials for classes.
3. Organizing materials for home.
What are Strategies for Keeping Track of Tests and Assignments?
Analyze the assignments and tests that are given in the class syllabus and write them on the semester calendar.
Include all school activities, especially extracurricular activities, in your planner.
Make daily lists. Make a list of the items (both academic and nonacademic) that have to be done.
KEEP TRACK of TESTS and ASSIGNMENTS (p. 95)
- Create a calendar.
- Create a weekly planner.
- Create daily lists.
IMPROVE CLASS ATTENDANCE and PUNCTUALITY (p. 97)
- Look at the causes.
- Identify the consequences.
- Set goals to increase your motivation.
- Talk to your teacher.
SET GOALS
- Think of things you need to do.
- Arrange them in categories.
- Prioritize.
- Do it!
KEEP a SEPARATE NOTEBOOK for EACH CLASS (p.101)
- Buy a different notebook for each class.
- Always divide each notebook into sections.
- Need to update notebooks daily.
- Do buy a new notebook if you lose one.
BRING THINGS to CLASS (p. 103)
- Check your calendar..
- List the items you need for the next day.
- Always gather the materials from your list.
- Set your book bag by the door.
- Have a list in your locker of the materials you need.
BRING HOME THINGS I NEED for STUDYING and HOMEWORK (p.105)
- At the end of each class, make a list.
- Decide what you need to take home from the list.
- Ask your teacher to explain.
- Pause, and ask yourself, “Do I have everything I need?”
- Try not to give up!
Study Skills:
GETTING STARTED STUDYING (p. 131)
- Change environments.
- Have all equipment nearby.
- Establish rewards for yourself.
- Create a checklist of tasks to be done.
- Keep a worry pad.
STAY FOCUSED (p. 133)
- Set a timer.
- See if you are off task.
- Touch the circle.
- Organize your thoughts.
- Proceed again.
AVOID DISTRACTION (p. 135)
- Pick the right environment.
- Always reduce visual distractions.
- Try to eliminate noise around you.
- Self-talk to control internal distractions.
STUDYING from NOTES (p. 137)
- Read after class.
- Read before class.
- Read before test.
- Highlight important information.
- Identify material that you think will be on the test.
STUDYING from BOOKS (p. 138)
- Copy chapter headings and subheadings.
- Organize note cards.
- Number the cards under categories.
- Arrange the note cards in columns.
- Identify each card’s correct place.
- Review the note cards.
ORGANIZE INFO from BOOKS and NOTES (p. 140)
- Work with note cards from reading and lecture notes.
- Outline main ideas covered in reading and lectures.
- Read note cards from reading for facts.
- Read lecture notes for facts.
- Yes, you’re ready after one more reading of your outline.
REMEMBER INFO for TESTS:
- Break memorizing into short time periods.
- Recite the information aloud as you write it.
- Establish mnemonics.
- Always try to visualize information in your mind.
- Keywords help.
Lecture Notetaking Skills:
Taking Notes When the Teacher Talks Fast
- Integrate previous notes and readings.
- Sit close to the teacher.
- Write down everything.
- Analyze verbal, nonverbal, and body language cues.
- Monitor for attention.
Reading Notetaking Skills:
- Survey.
- Connect.
- Read.
- Outline.
- Look.
Posted by Kristie at December 30, 2004 11:12 AM