Carine Senior High School

Helping Your Child Succeed at High School

Why we organised tonight?

     Organisation and Time management are important to long term success.

As parents you are in the best position to reinforce good habits at home.

Positive change is more likely to occur if partnerships are formed that involve the school and home.

We want you to help us create a positive cycle of hard work leading to success .

We want to make sure your children develop good study skills and habits before they get to upper school.

Files and General Organisation

 Why is it so important?

 Preferably subject dividers & files  Spare paper and pens  Time each night to sort out files  Students need to use and carry a homework diary  Students should have a copy of their timetable at home. Check it and spend time packing for the next

Homework Diaries

     Use to write down homework, assignment due dates, test dates and things to remember Check them and encourage their use Students can use them to make ‘to do lists’ once at home Proper use will help them set priorities for homework and study Encourage them to look forward and plan for busy times

Study Timetables

      About 6 -7 hours per week in year 8 this will increase to 12- 14 hours per week in year 11 & 12 if they are working towards university entrance ( An ATAR) Get your child to draw up a timetable and encourage them to stick to it.

They may need to draw up a new one each week if their commitments vary.

Negotiate times let them have some say in when they study.

Try and come up with a timetable they are likely to stick to.

Be realistic. You may need to build up slowly.

 Spread times over the week don’t leave it all until weekends.

 Encourage them to use all the time allocated. Don’t stop once tomorrows homework is done.

 Help minimise disruptions.

 An hour can sound like a lot but when you break it down to 15 minutes per subject it’s not

Study Timetable

3.30 -4pm 4 -5pm

Monday

Break Homework & study

Tuesday

Break Footy Training 5- 6pm 6 - 7 pm 7 -8 pm Dinner Dinner

Wednesday

Break Homework & study Footy Training Dinner Homework/ study Dinner Dinner

Thursday

Break Footy Training

Friday

Break Homework & study Footy Training Dinner Homework/ study

Weekend Study Timetable

Saturday

10 – 11 am Homework / Study

Sunday

4 – 5pm Homework / study

But I don’t have any homework!

 Organise files  Do a daily review of each core subject done that day  Start assignments that may not be due for several weeks   Prepare for tests ( study) Do practice questions for maths

What to do in the study bit?

     Encourage them to set a goal for the available time. This enables them to have a sense of achievement and focuses their study. They should be doing something active not just flicking through their file or reading a text book.

At the end of the study time they should revisit their goal.

Test their learning.

Evaluate the study. Did the method work? If not try a different study technique next time they have similar work to learn.

Examples of Active Learning

        Brainstorm without looking Organise information into tables Make a mind map Vocab cards Practise problems Make up a mnemonic Quiz from a family member Make summary notes

Assignments

     Encourage them to start them early.

Break large assignments into smaller tasks and write up a plan so that they meet deadlines.

Start with note taking sheets and use the assignment sheet to determine headings.

Proof read them for content not just spelling and grammar.

Get them to go through a checklist before handing it in.

Year 8 Science Assignment

Choose a dangerous Australian Plant or Animal and write a report which includes the following:

     

A description of the plant or animal ( 2) A map of Australia showing where in Australia it is found ( 2 ) Explain why it is dangerous ( 1) What are the symptoms of the bite or poisoning ( 2) What is the first aid for treatment of a bite or poisoning (2) Include a list of references used written in correct format.(1)

( Total 10 Marks)

 No matter how beautifully presented an assignment is, students won’t get a good mark unless they give the teacher everything that was asked for.

Goal Setting

 A goal is a clear mental picture of what you want to achieve.

 Goals help you plan and direct your efforts.

 Setting goals and being motivated go hand in hand.

 True goals should be your own creation. Not a ready –made set handed to you by someone else.

Goal Setting

 Goals should be SMART  Specific  Measurable  Achievable  Realistic  Time bound

Goal Setting Action Plan

 Goal – To improve my maths grade from a C to a B  Time frame – Semester 1  Strategies for achieving that goal  Listen more carefully in class  Ask for help when I don’t understand  Do 10 minutes practise problems each day  Don’t leave study until the night before the test

What can Parents Do ?

         Encourage a study routine and organisational skills.

Accept that your child may learn differently from you.

Help them set goals and come up with action plans which will help them achieve them.

Be a study coach.

Show an interest and stay involved.

Encourage and praise your children.

Help your child feel comfortable with both wins and losses, recognize improvement, and be there in times of disappointment.

Help minimise distractions .

Encourage a healthy balance between work and play.

Useful websites

 www.studyskillshandbook.com.au

 Great tips and information on study skills  User name: carineshs password: 43success  Khan Academy  www.khanacademy.org

 Online tutorial lessons in lots of areas especially maths and science