IQ: Just a Starting Point for Learning Math

Think you have to be born with an innate ability to do Math? "No," says Laura Blue in Time Health and Family section. One does not have be born with math skills. Instead  study habits and motivation are more important than IQ.

In a study conducted in Germany by Kou Murayama, IQ determines a starting point for math achievement but does NOT predict any growth in math achievement.  Children who improved in math agreed or strongly agreed with statements like, "When doing math, the harder I try, the better I perform, " or "I invest a lot of time in math, because I am interested in the subject." Students who made connections between mathematical ideas typically improved faster than students who employed more cursory rote techniques.

It makes sense that motivated students would perform better and it is confirmed that  academic success is not governed by a student's cognitive ability alone.  Students who want to learn math and work at it find they make faster gains and learn better than students who are bright but less motivated.

This is encouraging for students and for schools. Motivation is not innate, but largely learned. Murayama is intrigued with these results and intends to study instructional styles that teachers and parents can use to inspire children to learn.

For more info;  http://healthland.time.com/2012/12/26/motivation-not-iq-matters-most-for-learning-new-math-skills/

Pay Attention to Your Attention

Lessons have a way a re-appearing when I haven't learned them.... Sometimes once but more often several times!

Case in point... It's Christmas season... I know that. I know what it involves: advent, shopping, malls, lists, recipes, parties, eating, expectations, more lists, wrapping, traffic, Rudolph, scheduling, work deadlines,  eating, rushing, church, lights, cold weather, candles, cards, stamps, shipping packages, reconnecting, scent of pine, tress, Chanukah, vacation, cookies, more eating, excitement, another list, children, joy, Santa,  Grinch, etc.....

So in the midst of this holiday season, I struggle with my meditation, exercise, and quiet time.My  motivator is my 100 lb German Shepherd, Shila, who needs exercise daily. I love her for that!

Anyway... my attention....and  back to Christmas... I was frantically booking our "After the Holidays" Party on line  during my busy time and  I misplaced my business credit card and my business debit card. I realized this a day after I used them. I searched work, my desk, my home , my clothes, my jackets, my car, my briefcase, closet floors, trash, and anything and every other place I  could search. I had staff, friends, clients, and my husband helping me. No luck...

During this chaos, I realized the stress I was feeling... No quiet time, no meditating, only credit cards..... Which brings me to "My Attention."  While on a retreat 12 years ago, I heard, "Pay attention to your attention." I thought this was so foolish and mimicked it when I came home. My arrogance had the better of me.. The great I am that I  always pay attention to what I am doing...

Now especially at this time, I relearned this lesson and am paying attention to my attention... I want to slow down a bit, breathe, focus on  one task at a  time, stay where my feet are, and yes, pay attention to my attention! Of course, too, I shall continue to make my lists!

No. I did not find my credit cards and as my best friend, Judy, said, "At least that is a problem you can solve." And I did... It was on my list! So slow down, pay attention to your attention, and have a fun-filled season!

De-stress the Dr. Brene Brown Way

Dr. Brown considers herself a "pretty calm parent." She has learned the value of bringing perspective and quiet to difficult situations by watching her husband and by practice!

Parents can  model calmness --- and practice it --- so our children can learn it, too. Practice deep breathing, stillness, meditating, and praying.  Spend time alone - even 10 minutes - to quiet your mind.  Walk around the block!

So the next time you want to yell, "Sit down!" or "Calm down!" try modelling the behavior of calm and quiet. Reduce the stress!

As Harriet Lerner says, "Anxiety is extremely contagious, but so is calm." Great teachers  model behaviors what they want and so do great parents!

Students and Stress

Friends. Dating. Grades. Sports. Family. Work. Peer pressure. Drugs. Alcohol. Anxiety.
Students, like adults, experience stress. Not episodic stress like studying for an exam, finishing a paper, or preparing for a job interview. I am taking about a continuous "state" of stress. Stress is a process that builds and evidence indicates that stress can increase levels of illness and infection, take years off one's life, and cuts down on one's happiness.


Common symptoms are irritability, insomnia,  headaches, accident proneness, indigestion, changes in sleep or appetite, and anxious feeling. More than 30% of college freshman report feeling overwhelmed. Depression affects over 19 million adults in the U.S. Eating disorders affect 5-10 million women and 1 million men. Suicide is the  8th leading cause of death, the 3rd leading cause of death for  those aged 15-24 and the 2nd leading leading cause of death in college populations.

How do we reduce stress? Here is s list of techniques to reduces stress:

• Try deep breathing for five seconds and create a sense of calmness and slow things down.
• Use visualization and  place yourself in the most positive environment you  have ever known.Is it  the beach, the mountains, your room, or  a park and transport your left there anytime you fell stressed.
•  Say positive affirmations like, "I feel calm."  "I can finish this paper." " I am alert." Avoid the no, don't, not. Your mind will believe what you tell it. Keep them short, simple and clear. Practice!
• Play or talk with your pet. (My favorite!)
• Listen to instrumental music.
• Take a bath or a nap.
• Exercise or walk at least 20 minutes.
• Try progressive relaxation by relaxing each individual body part from your toes to the top of your head. Focus on each body part.

So much clear evidence documents the harmful effects of stress.  Include stress reduction into your day. Think about who you want to become and continue to focus on that image. Figure out what you want to say about yourself and start saying it!  It works if you work it.

For more.... http://www.edutopia.org/blog/destress-for-success-christopher-pepper

Multiplication Tables!!! WHY?

Whats' the big deal with the times tables? I can use a calculator....

As an educator, I hear this often. Is learning the multiplication tables critical?  Short answer is YES!!

Learning the tables by 3rd grade is crucial. Basic multiplication facts are foundational for further advancement in math. A lack of automaticity causes struggles in math with fractions, division,  and more advance concepts. If they are not acquired by 3rd grade, it is unlikely they will be practiced in middle or high school. Without fluency and the ability to recall facts, students focus on the basic skills and not on the task at hand. As a result, higher order processing in problem solving is impeded.

I use the multiplication tables when shopping, planning parties, car repairs (well my husband does), paying and calculating bills, traveling, money, and cooking.  Teachers depend on parents to help their children with basic facts. This is difficult with our busy schedules... so let's have a Facts Party after Thanksgiving!!! We can all be grateful for this innovative and helpful idea!

Call us today 508-821-7770 for party info!

Why Hire a Tutor?

Many students benefit from a tutor at some point in their eduction. Why hire one?

• Some children  are not academically challenged in class and are bored. As a result, their grades tend to slip. A tutor will provide additional challenges and coursework.
• Some children absorb materiel better in a one-on-one environment. Tutoring support will  give your child  the assistance he/she needs to thrive in the classroom.
• Some children are not comfortable is a traditional classroom. It is not an appropriate setting for them. Tutoring  creates a different environment -- one that is flexible and open.
• Some children struggle in the classroom and the teacher is unable to slow down  instruction. As a result, students fall behind. Tutors provide  additional instruction to catch up and help them pass the class.
• Most children need some help with their homework. Some parents are unable to teach their children the material or don't have the knowledge to teach them. Some children think the parents are "not qualified"  to teach them. A tutor is more knowledgeable.

Other reasons exist.  Tutors are a successful addition to your child's education.

Important Issues Facing Children?

What do you see as the most important concern facing children in America? Poverty? Unemployment? Health? Full Day Kindergarten? Literacy?  Election day is tomorrow. Do you know how your candidate stands on these and other crucial issues? The Worcester Telegraph has an insightful and pithy article.Read on.

Eight questions about young children to ask candidates

by Irene Sege

Election Day is fast approaching, and we want to make sure that candidates put young children and families on their agendas. As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child, so let's ask candidates to be part of the village and commit to supporting high-quality early education and literacy.

1. A high-return investment
Nobel Prize-winning economist James Heckman calls high-quality early education an essential high-return investment. Heckman says, “The United States invests relatively little at the starting point – in early childhood development – and as a consequence pays dearly for this neglect at every point thereafter. Our country will be unable to compete in the global economy if it does not address the increasing numbers of children who are not prepared for success in school, career and life.” Yet despite overwhelming evidence that high-quality early education works, far too many families lack access to high-quality, affordable early education and care for their children.

Question: How will you answer Heckman's call to invest in young children? What will it take to act on this evidence?

2. Third grade reading
Third grade reading is a critical educational benchmark that strongly predicts a child's chances of success in school and beyond. Yet 39% of Massachusetts third graders scored below proficient in reading on the 2012 MCAS. Research tells us that the path to reading success begins at birth and continues through the primary grades and beyond.

Question: What is your plan to ensure that children become proficient readers by the end of third grade?

3. Full-day kindergarten
Research shows that children who attend full-day kindergarten programs make greater gains in early reading and math than children in half-day programs. They also exhibit more independent learning, classroom involvement, productivity in work with peers and reflectiveness than half-day kindergarteners.

Question: What will you do to support high-quality full-day kindergarten and to ensure that all children have access to full-day kindergarten?

4. Affordability for families
A new report from Child Care Aware finds that in 35 states and the District of Columbia the annual cost for center-based care exceeds a year's in-state tuition and fees at a four-year public college. Once again, Massachusetts has the highest annual costs in the nation for both 4-year-olds and infants in full-time center-based care.

Question: What will you do to make early education and care more affordable for families?

5. Trained, professional early educators
Just as young children need effective teachers in their first years in our public schools, they also need effective teachers in their early learning settings. Research finds that young children learn best in classrooms led by early educators with bachelor's degrees and specialized training.

Question: What will you do support the professional development of early educators returning to school and the training of people entering the field?

6. Compensation
The early education field suffers from low pay and high turnover. And as early educators, particularly those in community-based settings, increase their education and training, their pay is not keeping up.

Question: What will you do to link increased compensation for early educators with increased training?

7. Educational continuity
Education is a continuum that runs from birth to college and career. For young children that means aligning early childhood settings with the primary grades.

Question: What will you do to support high-quality education for young children, from early childhood to third grade?

8. A research-backed positive impact
High-quality early education is one of the few educational strategies with a demonstrated positive impact on children's learning and life outcomes. Its many benefits, particularly for children from low-income families, include improved early literacy and numeracy skills and social-emotional development, as well as reduced special education and grade retention, increased high school graduation and college attendance. Its longer-term benefits include higher earnings, reduced need for public assistance and better health. Yet too many children do not have access to high-quality early education.

http://www.telegram.com/article/20121002/NEWS/121009835/0

Why preview a textbook???

I often hear students whine and ask, "Why do I have to look at the chapter first? My teacher will go over this."
Textbook previewing strategies allow us to gain a content overview and provide us a purpose for reading, generate background knowledge,  connect this information to what we already know, focus on what's important, and, most importantly, gain new information. LDonline has a plethora of information. Visit them /http://www.ldonline.org/article/39881/39881/.

Get Organized!

Organization is more than half the battle when it comes to the college admissions process. The number of assignments, deadlines, and forms you need to remember can be overwhelming! Here are some hints on juggling everything!

1.) Know the process!

Make sure you know exactly what's expected of you, and WHY it's expected of you. 

2.) Keep Track of Deadlines

Have all your deadlines organized on a calendar, and keep all your forms organized in a folder. Have a checklist of everything that needs to be done, and when!

3.) Narrow Down Your College List

Keep the list of colleges that you're applying to manageable. You want to focus on quality over quantity. If you try to send out over a hundred applications, chances are, they won't be done that well. So prioritize your list!

4.) Meet With Your Guidance Counselor

Guidance counselors are there for a reason. They know what they're doing! When you meet with your counselor, bring your folder of applications with you, and a list of questions for him/her.

5.) Use Your Resources!

There are plenty of websites out there with suggested time tables, check lists, and step by step guides to help you through the process! Big Future is one great place to start! In fact, we "borrowed" this list of tricks from them! 

College Apps

OK, seniors, crunch time is here! Senior year is the busiest year with academics, activities, work, car, friends, and now college applications!

Get organized and follow these five steps:
1. Know the process.  
2. Create a checklist.
3. Narrow down your choices.
4. Meet with your school couselor.
5. Make a plan.

Let's cover one step at a time.  Know the process. This includes:

• requesting the application (s)
• applying online (Common App.)
• sending application fee
• deciding on early or regular admission
• sending transcripts, test scores, and letters of recommendations
• writing and proofing  your essay. Ask two people to read it.
• interviewing and / or school tour
• completing Financial Aid Forms
• noting deadlines

Email  or call us for more info at 508-821-7770. Good luck!

A GREAT Article!

How Retaking the SAT Changed Test Prep Tutor's View

This was written by Isabela Guimaraes, a top tutor at Applerouth Tutoring Services in Bethesda, Maryland. She retook the SAT last week and here is her report on how it went - and what she learned to pass on to her clients. By Isabela Guimaraes During the week before each SAT test date, I meet with each of my students to go over last minute pointers. We review content and strategy, we discuss their expectations, and we visualize the upcoming test date. We discuss all of the things 17 year olds rarely think to plan for: what they'll have for breakfast, who will drive them to the test, which radio station they'll listen to as they pull into the school parking lot. And it works. Students walk into the SAT calmer and more ready to succeed if they know what to expect, and their scores are often higher as a result. After coaching dozens of students through their visualization of various SATs, I began to feel like a fraud. I have always been confident in my ability to solve any SAT problem, but I began to wonder whether I could do it quickly and accurately enough to max out the test. So I spent a recent Saturday morning reliving one of a long list of unpleasant high school experiences: I took the SAT. And I even managed to follow most of my own advice. As it turns out, all the world's practice and preparation didn't mitigate the undeniable stress of the testing situation. Unpleasant and exhausting as it was, this experience taught me more about my students' reality than any other could have. 1. Get a good night's sleep I tell my students to get a good night's sleep before the test, and it is with the best of intentions that I decide to spend Friday night with TiVo and takeout. And when I wake up on the couch six hours later with a crick in my neck and an imprint of the remote on my arm, I get the sense of foreboding that only comes when I realize I have set myself up for failure. 2. Eat a healthy breakfast I peruse my pantry for no less than eight minutes before selecting a slice of white toast with Nutella. Do I make an egg white omelet? No. But it isn't a Red Bull and half a Kit Kat bar, either. 3. Arrive at the test center early with your registration ticket and photo ID Confession: I know in advance that I will fall short on this front. I have never been early for anything in my life. As I stand in line with the other late arrivals, a girl in a red sweatshirt speeds out the door while desperately screaming expletives. She walks back inside three minutes later clutching a learner's permit and looking relieved. Crisis averted. 4. Listen carefully to the proctor's instructions When the proctor asks the young man in front of me to remove his hat, he is visibly annoyed and possibly also somewhat panic-stricken. "But it's my lucky hat!" he says, and the other students chuckle. He finally tosses it into the pile of bags and coats at the front of the room, and we move on. 5. Brainstorm essay topics before the test The essay question is fairly mundane, and I have a list of topics ready. The prompt is open-ended and predictable - nothing like last March's reality TV question - and I am ready to go with three foolproof pieces of evidence. But when I reach my third body paragraph with eight minutes to spare, I begin to panic. Why can't I think of anything to say about Gandhi? The moment passes and I remind myself that facts are irrelevant; all I need to do is support my thesis. So I make up something about Gandhi and move on. 6. Use your calculator, even for basic arithmetic The first section after the essay is a math section, and I realize as I work my way through the first several problems that I am nervous. It is a completely illogical anxiety, as my motivations for taking the test are equal parts research and ego. I check and recheck even the easiest problems, and it's a good thing I do. I catch a basic arithmetic error on the second question, and I remind myself that I simply cannot be trusted with mental math at 8 a.m. From this point on, I stick with the calculator. As we near the end of the section, I feel fairly confident about my performance. I look up at the time and realize that I have exactly 18 seconds to solve the final problem. I finish reading the question as the proctor calls time, and I feel a tinge of disappointment at the knowledge that I will not be getting a 2400. 7. Keep your cool The next section is a writing one, and I spend an inordinate amount of time debating the difference between "its" and "it's," a mistake I have never made in my life. I realize after two minutes that the question I am staring at is meant to test my understanding of parallel structure, and that my internal debate is useless. 8. Skip questions you can't answer This is the most important piece of advice I give my students. The SAT deducts ¼ of a point for each incorrect answer, so I make strict rules about when to guess and when to skip. But my pride simply will not let me skip a single critical reading question. I break my rules more than once: I choose among three possible answers on a vocabulary question, and I speed through the last three questions of a particularly long and boring reading comprehension passage. 9. Don't be careless After this weekend, I will never again offer this advice to anyone. By the time the final math section rolls around, I am exhausted. And it shows. It takes me three attempts to find the sum of 2 and 11 (with a calculator), and another 15 seconds to realize the question absolutely does not require that. I catch at least three careless errors as I work my way through the section, and I start to wonder with some trepidation how many I let slip by. 10. Prepare yourself for mental fatigue My students sit for mock tests roughly once a month, and when they complain I tell them that nothing else will prepare them for the exhaustion of this test. And I am absolutely right. By the time I reach the final section, I am in borderline zombie mode, and am fighting what seems to be a preference for grammatical impossibilities. I start to drift off and wonder why I bother with "I" vs. "me" when the royal "we" seems so much more fun. And just as I'm beginning my descent into insanity, time is called. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/how-retaking-the-sat-changed-prep-tutors-view/2012/03/12/gIQADimTFS_blog.html

Thank you!

Thank you to those who attended our informational PowerPoint presentation entitled "SAT vs. ACT." We appreciate your enthusiasm and the support you give your children. A reminder:  FREE Practice SAT Test on Saturday April 7, 2012  9AM sharp. Call us at 508-821-7770 or email us to register. Thanks again!

SAT vs. ACT

Learning Magic Announces Free College Prep Events

Learning Magic Inc., a full-service mentoring and tutoring company, announces two free events to help students and parents prepare for college entrance exams.

On March 29, 2012 at 7PM, Learning Magic will be hosting a free information night entitled “SAT vs. ACT” where you can learn the differences between the two tests and determine which is better for you! Hear it from the experts!

On April 7, 2012, at 9AM, Learning Magic will be offering a free SAT practice test. Any student may register, and the exam and its results are completely free of charge.

Registration is required. Register by emailing learningmagic@verizon.net or calling 508-821-7770. Please specify which seminar you wish to attend.

Learning Magic Recognizes Students' Success

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

MaryEllen Yeo, Director

Learning Magic Inc.

508-821-7770

learningmagic@verizon.net

http://www.learningmagic.net

Learning Magic Recognizes Students Success

Taunton, MA –March 20, 2012

Learning Magic Inc., a full-service tutoring company located in Taunton, MA wants to acknowledge and congratulate both Joseph and Lydia Buckminster of Taunton, MA for both completing the 22-hours of free Wilson Reading tutoring through the Massachusetts SES program.

Joseph Buckminster is a six-year old kindergartner at the Bennett Elementary school, and his sister Lydia is a third grader there. Lydia had a fantastic improvement in her reading level thanks to the program. She increased her letter sound knowledge from 39% to 75% over the 22 hours. 

Learning Magic was founded in 2003 by MaryEllen Yeo and offers one-on-one tutoring in all subjects and at all grade levels. Learning Magic is an approved SES provider and SOMBWA certified. We motivate and build confidence using a personalized approach with certified teachers and special education specialists.

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Free Events!

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

MaryEllen Yeo, Director

Learning Magic Inc.

508-821-7770

learningmagic@verizon.net

http://www.learningmagic.net

Learning Magic Announces Free College Prep Events

Taunton, MA –March 12, 2012

Learning Magic Inc., a full-service tutoring company located in downtown Taunton, MA has announced two special free events to help students prepare for college entrance exams.

On March 29, 2012 at 7pm, Learning Magic will be hosting a free information night entitled “SAT vs. ACT” where students and their parents can learn the differences between the two tests, and learn from the experts the best ways to prepare.

Then on April 7, 2012, Learning Magic will be offering a free SAT practice test at 9 a.m. Any student may register, and the exam and it’s results are completely free of charge.

Learning Magic has also announced a full schedule of SAT preparatory courses for the spring and summer of 2012. Please call to reserve your spot for either special event or the summer classes.

Learning Magic was founded in 2003 by MaryEllen Yeo and offers one-on-one tutoring in all subjects and at all grade levels. Learning Magic is an approved SES provider and SOMBWA certified. We motivate and build confidence using a personalized approach with certified teachers and special education specialists. It is located at 23 Trescott Street, in historic downtown Taunton.

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Hi!  Did you enjoy February vacation?  Good, now it's time to get back in the swing of things.  Vacation is nice, but whenever there's a change in the routine, it takes a little extra effort to get back on track. 

That said, did you know that researchers say that it takes a minimum of 21 days, or repetitions, to form a habit or routine?  Yes, anything from starting an exercise or other health program, to remembering to read a chapter a day, a minimum number of pages in a book, or to practice your math problems, they all take practice, repetition, and DEDICATION!

Be dedicated to yourself, on improving your skills, and reaching your goals.  Don't let a day off take you off track, keep going and you are certain to meet with success.

Have a great day!

The Last Piece of the Puzzle!

Okay, so now we have the final piece of the reading puzzle, which is simply:  putting it all together. 
Once you've completed your pre-reading and during-reading activities, you are ready to answer those comprehension questions or write that paper. 

Even if a few days have gone by, if you followed the tips, you will be able to go back to the text, review your notes, highlighting, etc., and be confident that you have found the answers you need to respond to the text successfully.

Good luck and remember to read "actively"!!

"Active" Reading Part Two

Here's part two of the Active Reading Trilogy!  Are you ready?  We call it the During Reading stage, and it is when you actually read the book, article, paragraph, etc.

What makes this part "active" is that while you are reading, you are:

• highlighting important information
• underlining new or difficult vocabulary
• circling clues that help you understand new information and vocabulary
• and sometimes, writing in the margins (only if you own the reading material, or using a photocopy). 

You are also:

• making and confirming predictions 
• asking questions using post-it notes
• and otherwise connecting to the text you are reading
• text-to-text (connections to other material you have read)
• text-to-self (connections to your life and experiences)
• text-to-world (connections to what happens in the world)

Depending on where you are, what you are reading, and what supplies you have with you, you may do some of these activities while reading, or all. 

"Active" reading will help you focus, and help you understand what you are reading. 
Give it a shot, you have nothing to lose, and let us know what you think!

Pre-reading

Hey there!  Did you know that even before you start reading page one of that new book, or the first sentence in that magazine article, that you are already using a strategy that good readers always use?

That's right, you're pre-reading!  Pre-reading involves various activities that you go through whether you are reading for fun, or reading for homework or classwork.  This process helps you determine the purpose for reading, and makes you an "active" reader.  Here are some examples of pre-reading:

1. Reading the front and back covers, inside the book jacket, and look at pictures on the covers or within the book
2. Reading captions (the info describing photos or pictures), titles and subtitles
3. Making predictions about what the story or article is about, thinking "out loud" about what might happen

Now that you've had a snippet of the reading process, stay tuned for more info!  Meanwhile, happy reading!

Flashcard Alternatives

If you use flashcards to study vocabulary, but getting bored with the routine, change it up to make it fun!  For instance, games like Memory or Concentration are for "kids" of all ages.

• make your flashcards with a word on one card, definition on another
• choose between vocabulary word-side-up, definition-side-up, or mix it up between the two
• shuffle the cards, then place them on the table
• start matching!

Whether this game appeals to you or not, remember the main point:  keep studying as much fun as possible, and change up your routine from time to time to prevent boredom.

Happy studying!

ACT vs. SAT

Hey there high school juniors, are you wondering what the difference is between the ACT and SAT exams?  Here are a few facts to get you started:

SAT

• The SAT exam is based on logic, crtical thinking, problem-solving, and it tests vocabulary level
• Math, verbal and writing are the three main sections of this college entrance exam
• You may be required to take additional subject tests (called SAT IIs) for some colleges
• You are penalized for wrong answers, so wild guesses will not help you

ACT

• What you learn in class will help since this college entrance exam is curriculum-based. That means you'll be tested on grammar, trigonometry, science reasoning, etc.
• The ACT exam is in four sections: English, math, reading, and science. The writing section is optional
• There are no "ACT IIs" - the ACT is one test for all
• Unlike the SAT, there is no guessing penalty, meaning you're only scored on correct answers

Remember, you may take both exams, and retake them in your senior year to get your score even higher!
Good luck!

Senior College Application Timeline

Hopefully, you have already applied for Student and  Parent Financial Aid on-line pin numbers at www.FAFSA.ed.gov. Remember money is available on a first come first serve basis.


Register with NCAA if playing Division I or II sports at college www.ncaaclearinghouse.com.
Students remember to bring your mid-year reports to guidance! Observe deadlines and be patient!!! Praying helps, too. Good luck!

Is Cramming Really Efficient?

Planning on pulling an all-nighter to study for your midterm or final? Read this article first! It's a very interesting perspective on how all-night cram sessions may not be as effective as you think.

It’s exam time, cramming doesn’t work

By Debbie Diljak, Correspondent

KNIGHTDALE - Cramming for exams, pulling all-nighters, foregoing hours of sleep to find that missing tidbit of information to help you ace the test – is that the best way to prepare for a final?

While hitting the books hard the night before a test might sound helpful, teachers – who know something about good study habits – say successful preparation for end of course tests or finals begins much earlier than that.

Jim Ryan, English chair at Knightdale High School, teaches a survey literature course to ninth graders. The course ends with a state-mandated final, which students must pass to receive credit for the class.

He helps students prepare for the final in two ways. Since the test is standardized, they’ll talk about what that means.

For the freshman English end of course test, multiple choice questions follow a reading passage. Ryan tells them to read each passage carefully so they understand not only the paragraph, but also what answer to look for. He reminds them to read all possible answers before putting pencil to paper.

“A lot are not aware that they can write on the test with a highlighter,” which can help students focus their thoughts, Ryan added.

Test-taking skills

Freshman English is an all-encompassing course, which covers drama, short stories and fiction, but the final does not test writing ability.

So Ryan suggests that students take notes every time they read through a unit. “You don’t want to start reviewing three days before a test,” he said. And, “you want to keep that knowledge for four years,” as critical reading skills are needed all the way through high school.

Ryan discourages his students from writing in their textbooks, a habit that got him into trouble in high school. Instead, they’ll use Post-it notes to highlight passages or important concepts throughout the book.

He also tells them to use the sticky notes to ask questions about the material they’re reading. Asking good questions about a story or play helps students comprehend more, he said.

Careful reading and note taking may work in a class such as freshman English, but how can students prepare for finals in math, a subject which builds on concepts as the semester unfolds?

Problem solving is key, says Lessie Anderson, Algebra I teacher and math chair at Knightdale High School.

Working out problems is not only necessary when students complete their homework, but helps as they prepare for math tests and the final exam, Anderson says.

“Students don’t really know if they can do the problem unless they work through the problem from start to finish,” she explains.

One encouraging thing about math is that a student who is lost in the beginning of a course is not doomed to fail.

Algebra does become more complex as time goes by, and “a lot of time, it takes time to really get it,” Anderson says.

“If in Chapter 1, they did not quite get the material, it could be that by the time Chapter 2 or Chapter 3 gets here the light bulb goes off,” she says.

Anderson suggests spending five to 10 minutes each night reviewing problems, which not only keeps techniques fresh in students’ minds, but also helps with studying.

Anderson encourages her students to keep each quiz to help them study as “quizzes build on homework, and tests build on quizzes.”

Science is a tough subject for some. Science chair and Knightdale High biology teacher Rhonda Rhodes tells her students “Day One it is an EOC course.” Students not only must pass the course to receive credit; the test is worth 25 percent of their total grade.

In addition to reviewing material for her tests, Rhodes incorporates EOC reviews into her classes. “We do focused reviews at the end of the semester, during class, and after school.”

Students are also steered toward websites where they can take practice tests throughout the semester.

About a month before the end of the semester, Rhodes pulls out review sheets for the end of course test. Rhodes also tells students to read each test question and answer carefully. “There is usually one question that is so obviously not the answer. Eliminate it. Try to narrow (it) down to two choices.”

Rhodes says when she was a student, she discovered that rewriting her notes helped her focus and learn the material. “Today, many teachers have students make note cards, note outlines or picture notes.”

Knightdale High junior Jonathon Crowder is in Ryan’s AP English class. Currently, he is preparing for four finals.

Crowder says he tries to take advantage of practice tests that “give you your incorrect answers afterwards.” Crowder notes that he has become more serious about his grades since entering high school.

“I actually study in high school, because I finally realized that what I do in high school affects how the rest of my life will play out,” he says.

Get to bed

While spending some time reviewing the night before a big test such as a final can help, the teachers agreed that going to bed early and getting enough sleep is equally important.

“I always tell students to relax at the end of their preparation time,” Ryan said.

“Get a good night’s sleep” the night before, Anderson advises. “Students are always texting and watching TV. 

Go to bed early.” State-mandated tests can be as much as three hours long, and regular end of course tests last about two, she says.

And don’t count on cramming to help you retain everything you should have learned in a semester-long course, teachers advise.

“If you cram the night before, that’s exactly how long you’ll keep it,” Ryan says.

“It can be done in one night,” Crowder concedes, but “you have to keep reviewing for a few nights to get it to the point of immediate recall. This allows your mind to store it better so you don’t draw a blank when you go take the test.”

http://www.easternwakenews.com/2012/01/11/14850/its-exam-time-cramming-doesnt.html

debbie.diljak@yahoo.com

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Dear MaryEllen, 

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