MSK Counseling Department

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Please note: You may continue to use this page type if you desire. <PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>Study Skills in middle school begin with the management of homework assignments.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>accurate and punctual completion of these assignments is crucial to academic success.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT face=Verdana> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>Most students struggle with homework at some time or another.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This is understandable, </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>because dealing with homework can be a complicated process.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>First, the student must </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>u</FONT></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>nderstand what the assignment is exactly, and write it down correctly.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Second, the proper </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>materials must be taken home to complete the assignment.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Third, the assignment must be </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>completed correctly, which involves understanding the directions or questions.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And finally, </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>the </FONT></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>assignment must be brought back to school and given to the teacher.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Very often, this </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>process must be done for several assignments at a time.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And it becomes even more </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>complicated when the student is absent from school. </FONT></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT face=Verdana> </FONT></o:p></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>Middle school teachers regularly assist </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>students with these skills and guidance counselors </FONT></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>hold small group counseling sessions for </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>students that teachers feel need additional support.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>It is also important for parents to be </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>involved in this process as most homework is done at </FONT></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>home!<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT face=Verdana> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><FONT face=Verdana><STRONG>What can parents do to help?<o:p></o:p></STRONG></FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT face=Verdana> </FONT></o:p></SPAN><FONT face=Verdana><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><STRONG>1. Request that students bring home their MSK Planner and classroom binder every day.</STRONG></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT face=Verdana> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><FONT face=Verdana><STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">2. Review the information in the Planner and binder for homework assignments</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></STRONG></FONT></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>• If your student tells you that there were no homework assignments that day, and this </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>becomes a pattern, contact the teachers.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>• If your student tells you that the homework was done in school, request that it be brought </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>home for you to see each day. (The “I did it in school” excuse won’t work if you ask to see it.)<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>• Stress the importance of writing down every assignment –not just the ones they may not </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>remember! <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT face=Verdana> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><FONT face=Verdana><STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">3.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Help students set aside a specific block of time for doing homework.</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></STRONG></FONT></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>• If your student says that there is no homework, require that the “homework time” be used </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>to work on long-term assignments, review for up-coming tests, or do quiet reading. </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>“Homework time” should not be used for television, computer games, music or telephone </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>conversations.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(Students who are not allowed to do something “fun” instead, usually do their </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>homework.)<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>• Encourage your student to schedule “homework time” after school or early in the evening.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN>(Students who start too late, get tired and often run out of time.)<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT face=Verdana> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><FONT face=Verdana><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><STRONG>4. Help students find a quiet, well- lighted place to do homework.</STRONG></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>• Homework space should not be a place where other activities are occurring. (Preferably, </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>there should be no distractions, such as music or television, in the room.)<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT face=Verdana> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><FONT face=Verdana><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><STRONG>5. Assist students with homework time management.</STRONG></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>• Have your student make a list of all assignments that need to be done each evening and </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>determine which ones must be done first, second, third, etc.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(It is recommended that </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>students do the easiest and shortest one first to encourage getting started, the hardest </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>one second, and the ones that could be done at another time, third.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Extra credit </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>assignments should always be </FONT></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>saved for last.).<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>• Have your student make a monthly homework calendar where the due dates of long-term </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>assignments are clearly written.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>• Have your student plan time each day to work on long-term assignments.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><FONT face=Verdana><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><STRONG>6. Assist students with binder organization</STRONG></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>• Binders should have a clearly marked, separate section for each subject with pockets </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>for loose papers, such as assignment sheets, study questions, etc.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>• It is also recommended that binders have a “Take Home” folder for papers that need to </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>be signed, such as report card envelopes, field trip permission forms, etc.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT face=Verdana> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><FONT face=Verdana><STRONG>7.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Encourage students to organize homework papers and place them in </STRONG></FONT></SPAN><FONT face=Verdana><STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">their </SPAN></STRONG></FONT></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><FONT face=Verdana><STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">backpacks before going to bed.</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></STRONG></FONT></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>• Plan a little extra time in the morning for your student to get organized before leaving for </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>school.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>• Put reminders on mirrors, doors, etc., that cue your student to remember to bring </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>completed homework back to school.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT face=Verdana> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN><STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><FONT face=Verdana>8.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If students are absent, remind them to ask teachers for missed </FONT></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><FONT face=Verdana>assignments.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></STRONG></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>• If your student is going to be out for an extended absence, call the school secretary and </FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=Verdana>request that homework assignments be prepared for pick up at the office.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></PRE><PRE style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT face=Verdana> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></PRE> <P style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><STRONG>9. If you have questions or concerns about homework assignments, call or e-mail </STRONG></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><STRONG>the teacher.</STRONG></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'"> Teachers can be emailed by clicking on the "contact" link on </SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN-LEFT: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'">the <A href="http://ms.msad71.net/Staff">MSK Staff Pages</A> link from <A href="http://www.msad71.net/">msad71.net</A><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">10. Stress the importance of homework….doing it every day and </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">getting it in on time! Be proactive….ask to see completed homework.</SPAN></STRONG></P> Or, would you like to view and optionally restore one of these previous versions? Password: Forgot your password?

MSK Counseling Department

Study Skills

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