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Mrs. Lurye |
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FAQ About LearningFrequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
Learning Style Survey Print this survey if you would like to write on it. Read the statements in each section. Check the statements that apply to you. Leave the others blank. Section A If I need to spell a word correctly, I write it down to see if it looksright. To remember what my teacher says in class, it helps for me to write down notes. I like to read books and to look at the pictures. I can understand things better when I read them than when I listen to them. I prefer to read the directions or look at illustrations before beginning a project. I like to have a list of jobs I have to do rather than having someone tell me what to do. I can picture things easily in my mind. I usually write down assignments to help me remember them. A good way for me to learn vocabulary words is to use flash cards. I can sit still to watch TV or work on the computer for a long time. Total the number of checks in Section A ______ Section B I prefer to listen to a book on tape rather than read it. I can pay attention and remember easily when my teacher reads aloud to us. I would ask directions rather than look at a map. In reading class, I can remember best if we discuss the book out loud. I often read and study by repeating information aloud to myself. I am distracted by background noise (like a tapping pencil) when I am taking a test. I like to study for tests by having someone quiz me aloud. I remember songs after hearing them only a couple of times. I work math story problems by talking them through aloud. If I hear someone�s name, I remember it easily. Total the number of checks in Section B ______ Section C I enjoy sports and being active. It is hard for me to pay attention when I must sit still for a whole class period. I count on my fingers or with other objects to do math problems. I prefer to learn a new activity by being shown how to do it rather than read about it or listening to a tape about it. I have a good sense of balance and rhythm. I would like to act out stories rather than talk about them. I have a hard time staying neat and organized. I am good at skills that require careful movements like walking on a balance beam, serving a volleyball, or hitting a baseball. My favorite classes are the ones where I can move around a lot. Total the number of checks in Section C ______ Now, write the totals below: Section A= ______ Section B= ______ Section C= ______ If your highest total is in Section A, you are most likely a SEEING (visual) learner. You remember best by using your eyes. If your highest total is in Section B, you are most likely a HEARING (auditory) learner. You remember best by using your ears. If your highest total is in Section A, you are most likely a DOING (kinesthetic) learner. You need movement or activity while you study to remember best. What kind of learner are you? I am strongest as a _____________ learner. My second area of strength is as a ____________ learner. Go to the BEST STUDY METHODS page to find study tips for all types of learners! Now that I know my learning style, how should I study? BEST STUDY METHODS Everyone can learn in each of the three ways you have read about. (SEEING, HEARING or DOING) One type is usually your strongest method to help you learn and remember. To remember BEST it is important to study using your strongest sense first. If you do, you will learn faster and remember longer. Read on to find out more about each way to learn and the best methods to learn and remember. SEEING LEARNERS If you are a seeing, or visual, learner you remember best when you use your eyes. You may be able to picture in your mind things that you hear about. You memorize how words are spelled by how they �look.� Seeing learners understand material better wen they read it to themselves rather than when they listen to it. Seeing learners write assignments down to help them remember what they study. Most seeing learners would prefer to use directions (words or pictures) to put something together rather than just figure it out. Many of these learners are organized, neat and pay attention to details. BEST STUDY METHODS FOR SEEING LEARNERS 1. Highlight or underline main ideas in books when possible. 2. Use index cards to make flash cards. Use them for spelling words, math facts or vocabulary. You can color-code them or put them into categories. Separate them into "know" and "don't know yet" piles. Play a memory game with them. 3. To study for a test, do something you can see: draw pictures, make a map, copy your notes, make flash cards. 4. Visualize: Picture in your mind! 5. Don't limit yourself to paper: Write on chalkboards, dry- erase boards, and the computer. 6. Write down your assignments in one book. 7. If possible, read the questions first before you read so you know what to look for and to set a purpose for reading. 8. Be careful! Seeing learners like the visual stimulation of television. Don't watch too much TV and never watch TV while you are studying. HEARING LEARNERS If you are a hearing, or auditory, learner you remember information best by using your ears. Hearing learners tend to be good talkers and listeners. They like class discussions and remember what the teacher says. Hearing learners would prefer to listen to a book on tape instead of reading it. These learners can remember names and songs after hearing them only a few times. When reading or studying, hearing learners like to say information aloud to themselves. They can be distracted by background noise. BEST STUDY METHODS FOR HEARING LEARNERS 1. Try to complete your assignments after the teacher has discussed the material, whenever possible. 2. Read out loud instead of silently. 3. Tape-record your notes, math facts or vocabulary words. Play the tape at home and when you are riding in the car. Recite with the tape to practice. 4. Use music to help you learn. Make up a song or a jingle. Create rhymes or poems to help you. 5. Have someone quiz you. Study with a friend and discuss things out loud. 6. Study in a quiet place! DOING LEARNERS If you are a doing learner, you like movement and can concentrate best when you are active. Doing learners find it hard to sit still for long periods of time. They need to do and to practice what they are learning. Many doing learners like to work with their hands; many like sports and can learn new athletic skills easily. Doing learners like class projects. They prefer to DO something rather than to just read, write or listen. Sometimes, doing learners have a hard time with organization. BEST STUDY METHODS FOR DOING LEARNERS 1. Have a parent or teacher help you develop a system to get and stay organized. 2. Use things you can touch (like coins, beans, blocks, etc.) to help you understand math concepts. 3. To learn spelling or vocabulary words, write words in sand, paint with water on the sidewalk, or use magnetic letters. 4. MOVE while you study: Jump, walk, do knee bends, hop, shoot baskets while you talk about the information or quiz yourself. 5. Write words or math facts on flash cards and hop on them to study. 6. Trace your finger on maps, globes and diagrams to study. 7. When you do sit down to study, set goals for yourself and then take breaks. For example, plan to study for 10 minutes, then get up and get a drink. Plan to read 3 pages before you get up and do 20 sit-ups. Always come back to study! 8. Teach someone else you material using a chalkboard or dry erase board. How can I help my child get organized? Parents Can Help Students Get Organized: � Have your child put school materials in the same place every day. � Check daily for parent information from school. � Insist your child write all assignments in a notebook. � Limit your child's TV viewing and video game time. � Set a rule that homework comes first. � Encourage your child to do harder assignments first. � Post a reminder of materials to take to school each day. � List tests, projects and school activities on a family calendar. � Ask your child to put all school materials in his/her backpack before bed. How can I be sure I am ready to study and do my homework? Study Skills and Homework Success 1. Have a place. Somewhere in your house or apartment is a place where you like to be alone. Make that your study place. Be fussy! Make sure everyone in your family knows it is your place. Keep paper, pencils, and other supplies there. Put your schoolbooks there every afternoon when you come home. 2. Have a time. There is a time of day when you can study best. Maybe it's early in the morning when the house is quiet. Maybe it's right after school. Maybe it's in the evening when the dishes are done. Set yourself a certain length of time to study. Start with 1/2 hour to 1 hour. Tell your friends and family that this is your study time and you do not want to be disturbed. Put a DO NOT DISTURB! sign on your door! 3. Use your time. If you have more than one assignment, divide up your study hour. (For example, 15 minutes for math, 20 minutes for English, etc.) Work on one assignment until time runs out, then go on to the next. You may have time before your hour is up to go back and finish incomplete assignments. You will soon learn to estimate how long an assignment will take. You will soon stay on task and use your time better. If you finish early, go back over your work and check for errors again. Use the whole hour. 4. Read directions. This advice can help you in everything you do. A minute spent reading directions CAREFULLY can save you many minutes of wasted and confused work that may have to be thrown away. 5. Ask for help. Sometimes your assignment may seem difficult. If you are confused, read it aloud. If you are still puzzled, read it to someone else. And if you can't figure it out, put a question mark beside it and be sure to ask your teacher to explain it to you. Your teacher needs to know how to help you. 6. Turn OFF the TV or the radio. You only want to listen to your own thoughts! How can I stay calm, focused and alert so I am ready to learn? CHANGING HOW ALERT YOU FEEL 1. PUT SOMETHING IN YOUR MOUTH: � Eat hard candy (sugarless if you want) � Eat crunchy food: pretzels, popcorn, nuts, apples � Eat chewy food: gum, raisins, bagels, chunks of cheese � Eat sour foods: pickles, sour candy � Drink from a straw: Use an exercise bottle to drink liquids such as a milkshake, a slurpie or other drinks � Eat a combination of foods such as trail mix (crunchy, chewy, sweet), Starburst (chewy, sweet and tart), or chips dipped in salsa (crunchy and spicy) � Take slow deep breaths 2. MOVE: (try moving before you need to concentrate; such as for homework) � Do isometrics (push arms on a wall or push hands together) � Walk quickly (take the dog for a walk, etc.) � Run up and down stairs carefully � Do an errand for a teacher � Shake head � Roll neck in a circular motion � Jump up and down or try to jump to touch a door frame � Play sports: basketball, Frisbee, swimming, baseball, etc. � Do aerobics with a group or at home to music � Dance � Use an exercise ball 3. TOUCH: � Try holding and fidgeting with a Koosh Ball, paper clips, rubber bands, strawS, jewelry or clay � Rub gently or vigorously on your skin or clothing � Take a cool shower or warm bath � Wash your face with a cold or hot washcloth � Pet or play with an animal � Hold or lean up against a stuffed animal or large pillows 4. LOOK: � Put bright lights on in a room if you are in low speed � Dime the lights if you are in high speed � Clear off the table you are working on if it distracts you � Watch fish in an aquarium � Read a book or look at a magazine 5. LISTEN: � Listen to classical type music (even, slow beat) � Listen to a hard rock type music (loud bass, uneven beat) � Use a personal cassette/music player if the music bothers someone else � Avoid loud, noisy places if you are in high speed or if it bothers you when you are trying to concentrate. Adapted from "How Does Your Engine Run?" 1994, Therapy Works Inc. How can I be ready for school, be calm and alert for homework, and get to bed? Strategies to Help You Be Alert All Day GETTING UP AND GOING IN THE MORNING: Mouth: brush your teeth with strong-tasting toothpaste, eat crunchy cereal or a granola bar for breakfast, eat a bagel, drink orange juice Move: carefully jump/bounce on bed; carefully run up and down the stairs two times Touch: splash cool water on your face Look: open the blinds and turn on all the lights Listen: turn on lively music STAY CALM AND FOCUSED TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK: Mouth: chew gum, suck on hard candy Move: wheel barrow walk/crab walk to the table, help with a heavy chore before going to the table (drying dishes), sit in a rocking chair or on an inflatable seat cushion while working Touch: ask a grown up to press down lightly on your shoulders; hold a squeeze toy or other fidget in your hand Look: dim the lights in the area around your homework place, but make sure your work area is well lit Listen: listen to soft music STAY ALERT AND FOCUSED TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK: Mouth: eat something crunchy (popcorn, pretzels), eat a sour/tart candy, eat something cold (Popsicle or crushed ice) Move: bounce on a mini trampoline or dance for about 5 minutes before sitting down at the table (set a clock!); sit in a rocking chair or on an inflatable seat cushion while working Touch: hold a squeeze toy or other fidget in your hand Look: make sure your work area is well lit Listen: play lively music that you like as background music (not too loud) CALM DOWN AND GET A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP: Mouth: drink or eat something that does not have a strong flavor, such as warm milk, before going to bed Move: wheel barrow walk/crab walk to bed, rock in a rocking chair while being held by your parent for about 5 minutes Touch: take a warm bath right before bed, tuck in blankets snugly around you, put a heavy blanket over you (when the temperature is right), hold a soft stuffed animal at night time Look: make the room as dark as possible for you without being scared; maybe use a small nightlight Listen: listen to a favorite story before bed, softly play a tape of white noise, nature sounds or classical music Adapted from "How does your engine run?" 1994, Therapy Works Inc. |
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