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NAME:
Mrs. Candace Fredette
SCHOOL:
Mountview Middle School
CLASS:
8th Grade Special Education
SCHOOL PHONE:
508 829-5577
I have been teaching Special Education classes at Mountview since February
of 1997. Prior to coming to Mountview, I was a Special Education teacher at
Bay Path Vocational Technical High School in Charlton, which is why I have
such great interest in Vocational education and have taken on the task of
liasion to Monty Tech for our Mountview students.
I was born in Vermont, educated in Massachusetts and have lived in this area
since 1970. My husband and I have 3 grown children, all of whom are
involved in education. The oldest is a school psychologist, the middle is a
Special Education teacher, and the youngest, a middle school Language Arts
teacher.
I love to read and especially love to travel.
When students get good grades, school is more fun, and most importantly,
they
feel good about themselves. Students who do well in school know it's
important to be organized and to have the right attitude. They know how to
take good notes and how to read a textbook. They know and use strategies
that help them memorize, prepare for tests and quizzes and choose the right
answers on tests. They don't allow past failures to keep them from trying.
They are invested in their education and learn to take responsibility in the
process of becoming an independent learner.
STEP ONE - THINK POSITIVE. Be confident. Don't allow past failures keep you
from trying. Decide to use your abilities and talents to do as well as you
possibly can in school. Think "I can!"
STEP TWO - GET ORGANIZED.If you are organized, you have WHAT YOU NEED, WHEN
YOU NEED IT. Three-ring binders work well as you can insert handouts and
copies of notes from the teacher or friend (if you are absent). Different
color folders for each class are also a good idea. Use the folders that
have
a pocket on both sides and use one side for current work and the other for
completed work. It's a good idea to keep old tests and quizzes, especially
at the high school level. Keep a record of your grades so there is no
surprise at reportcard time. Make a list of phone numbers of classmates so
you will have someone to call if you are absent. Keep your locker and
backpack neat. Organize your folders, binder, and backpack before you go to
bed.
* Use an assignment notebook
* Use three-ring binders.
* Use folders for schoolwork.
* Have phone numbers for classmates.
* Keep your locker and backpack neat.
* Get organized before you go to bed.
STEP THREE: MANAGE YOUR TIME. Use class time and study halls well. Use
this time to ask questions, get started on homework, or to get extra help.
Create a study plan. This plan needs to be based on what works for you and
the activities you are invloved in. Be flexible but be sure to schedule
time
for school work. Be prepared for anything that could interrupt or ruin your
plan.
* Use class time well.
* Create a study plan.
* Prepare for sabotage.
STEP FOUR: BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE CLASSROOM. Learn how to adapt to different
teachers, their teaching style, and their expectations. This is part of
your
education. Be in school, on time everyday: When you miss school, you not
only miss homework assignments but you miss the class discussion and lecture
and explanation of homework and concepts. You can make up your work but you
can never make up all of what you miss. Decide to be in school every day.
Be prepared for class: You need to be prepared both physically and mentally
for class. Physically prepared means you come to class with books, pencil,
paper, and homework. Being mentally prepared means you come ready to
learn...to use your mind. To be both physically and mentally alert, you
need
to get enough sleep, eat healthy, and get some exercise. Sit in front of
the
class if possible: It's easier to pay attention and stay involved from the
front seats. Communicate positive behavior: Teachers can see who is paying
attention, taking notes, and who is engaged in what is going on in class.
Make sure your body language shows that you care about what is going on in
class. Always do your homework: Think of homework as something that you
MUST do. Participate in class: Participation in class keeps you focused.
Participation grades are easy grades to get. Be a good group member: Group
work is an important activity that helps you get ready for life after
school. 1) Do your share of the work. 2) Be open to other's ideas 3) Be
positive.
STEP FIVE: TAKE GOOD NOTES. Think about and try to understand the material
being presented by being an active listener. Take Notes To Help You Pay
Attention: When you take notes during a lecture, you are less apt to let
your mind wander. Taking notes helps you pay attention and stay focused.
Recognize Important Information: Pay attention to a change in your
teacher's
voice, listen to word cues like: "the main point", "the most important
reason". If your teacher writes it on the board...put it in your notes and
highlight or star that information. Take Notes That Are Easy To Read: 1)
List the class, the date and number the page: This will keep you
organized.
2) Use a pencil or erasable pen 3) Write on every other line: This leaves
space for extra information. 4) Use symbols or abbreviations: This will
help you take notes faster. 5) Leave a wide margin on each page and write
key words there: Key words can be topics, names, events, dates. 6) Read
over your notes as soon as possible: Going over your notes helps "fix" the
information in your mind and allows you to correct or add information. 7)
Get lecture notes if you are absent: This is your responsibility! Do not
assume your teacher will tell what you missed.
STEP SIX: KNOW HOW TO READ A TEXTBOOK. Most textbooks have made learning
easy for you. There are bold face subtitles and important words are often
in
italics or bold face print. The chapters include pictures, charts, graphs,
lists of vocabulary words, summaries and reviews.
By learning how to 1) SCAN 2) READ 3) REVIEW you will be able to comprend
and
remember what you have read.
*SCAN - scanning gives the reader a lot of information in a short amount of
time, provides an overview or framework of information.
1) Read the title
2) Read the subtitles
3) Read everything in bold and italic print
4) Look at pictures, graphs, charts
5) Read summaries, review questions
STEP SEVEN - HOW TO STUDY: Find a good place to study where it is well lit,
has a smooth, flat surface for writing, and is comfortable for you. Music
or
TV? It's up to you. It is important to use the same place each time.
Know Your Learning Style: Are you a visual learner who learns best by
seeing
material? Are you an auditory learner who learns best by hearing
information? Do you learn best by doing...a kinesthetic learner? The more
senses you use the more you will remember.
STEP EIGHT - USE TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES: 1. Bring everything you need for
the
test to class (pencil, pen, calculator, etc.) As soon as you get your test,
jot down things you want to remember (facts, dates, formulas, memory aids)
at
the top of your paper. put your name on the test and READ THE DIRECTIONS.
2. Before starting the test, quickly look over the entire test and develop a
plan so that you can complete the test and have time to look over your
answers.
3. Put a checkmark next to the answers you're not sure of so you can go back
and try them again. Don't panic...sometimes it takes a few minutes to get
the brain in gear. "Always go with your first instinct"
4. Look for key words in True/False questions - Statements with always,
never, every, seldom, all, and none are usually false. Statements with
usually, often, sometimes, most, and many are usually true. Remember, for a
statement to be true, every part must be true.
5. "Use the test to help you take the test. Sometimes questions give you
the
information that can help you answer other questions"
6.Read each essay question and start with the easiest one. This will give
you confidence and time to think about the more difficult questions.
7. Jot down key words, ideas and points you want to cover. Organize into a
simple outline.
8. Begin writing. Write legibly and in complete sentences. In the opening
paragraph state the question and tell the reader what the essay is about.
In
the middle paragraphs, present examples, details, evidence, and facts that
support your position. In the final paragraph, restate your position and
add
a quick summary. reread and make corrections.
9. If you don't know the answer to an essay question, write whatever you
know about the subject. You may hit on something that will give you partial
credit.
10. Use post-its (if allowed) to help you locate important information
needed for open book tests.
11. Check your answers. "Always use all the time you are given."
12. Go over all returned tests. Write in the correct answers to questions
missed. You may see that question again on another test.
STEP NINE - REDUCE TEST ANXIETY - Study enough to feel confident and replace
negative thinking with positive relaxing thoughts.
* Start studying early. Get a good nights sleep. Don't cram.
* Do a mental imagery exercise. Mentally practice going through the testing
experience. See yourself getting a good grade.
* Walk into the test with a smile on your face. Act confident and you will
be confident.
* Relax. Take a deep breath, hold it, and then slowly release the breath
and
tension.
STEP TEN - GET HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT! Everyone needs help sometime. If you
need academic help talk to your teacher or have a class related problem,
talk to your teacher. No matter what the problem may be, ask for help.
Remember, you are like more every other student in this country who has a
problem now and then. The smart students get help. BE SMART!!
This is for the parents:
Show an interest in your child's education. Attend open house and
conferences. Know when the grading period ends.
Set realistic goals with your student. Recognize effort and improvement.
Be available to help with homework but remember, it is your child's
responsiblity to be organized, to get homework done, and to prepare for
quizzes and tests.
Listen to what your child says about what is happening in school.
Encourage your child to get involved in school activities.
Monitor TV, computer games, and the phone.
Avoid:
Nagging about school or grades.
Allowing your child to miss school unless he/she is really ill.
Criticizing a teacher in front of your child.
Making you child's failures (or successes) your own.
Work with the school. Know that your child's teachers and principals are
here to help your child get the best education possible. Let us know when
there is a health problem, a death in the family, a divorce or anything that
might affect your child's attitude and performance in school.
* Successful people have learned to make themselves do the thing that has to
be done when it has to be done, whether they like it or not. Aldous Huxley
* Acknowledgement: Linda O'Brien
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