Middle School | Middle School Study Skills
Notebooks Most teachers will require that students maintain an organized notebook in their classes. Whether the choice is a looseleaf notebook, a spiral bound notebook, or a combination of both, the notebook should be clean and orderly. Each entry should be dated. Subject notes should be kept separate from other subjects. Dividers should be clearly labeled. For example, don't take notes on a geography assignment in the math section of your notebook. Remember to keep a section free to use when you just need paper for homework. Make your notebook sections Doodle-Free Zones - no drawings or marks or notes that don't belong. The purpose of the notebook is to help you keep track of -and remember- the material for each day's classes, and to organize the material later to prepare for tests and quizzes. Book Bags A book bag is the easiest way to be prepared for class. In it you will keep the items you need like: pens, pencils, notebook, assignment pad, personal reading material, textbooks, folders, and a calculator. Some students keep other supplies like paper clips, a ruler, whiteout, colored pencils and tape. Students should be careful to keep the bag organized and cleaned out - and make a habit of checking it regularly. Students should NOT carry ALL their books around all day, however, as that could put a strain on backs and shoulders. It is recommended that students make frequent trips to their lockers to drop off heavy books. Assignment Pad Students should write all homework assignments in the assignment pad provided by their team teachers. Often, students write down assignments for different classes in multiple areas, thus having difficulty at the end of the school day remembering what to bring home. The assignment pad should be easily accessible during class, and throughout the day. Once at home, a clearly defined assignment pad will help students remember the list of assignments needed to prepare for the next day. Homework At Home Students in the middle school and high school should expect between a half hour to an hour and a half of homework every night on an average. Some teachers will give daily, regular homework; while others will give homework irregularly. Long term projects are to be considered daily homework in that students are expected to work on them every night. Teachers recommend that students work in a designated study area which is quiet, well-lit, and is close to school supplies like a stapler, a dictionary, a computer, and a wastebasket (for cleaning out that book bag!) Teachers also recommend that Quiet Hours be kept in the household - no television, no phone calls, no stereos, and no video games allowed during this time. (Sorry kids!) Before going to bed at night, students should check to see if their homework is finished and in a safe spot in the book bag. Then they should put the book bag near the door so there won't be any last minute Screaming- Search-Sessions when the bus pulls up in the morning. |
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