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PURPOSE/BACKGROUND

One of the principles of learning states that learning occurs when students are aware of their progress. This can be accomplished through observations, weekly checklists and pre and post tests. The following checklists cover the important issues involved in the study skills program.

YES   NO  1. I have a particular place used only for studying. 

YES   NO  2. I have a neat desk with adequate lightning. 

YES   NO  3. I have a schedule. 

YES   NO  4. I begin to study at once. 

YES   NO  5. I try to be fresh and rested for my studying, not putting it off or scheduling it when I am tired from other activities. 

YES   NO  6. I have a regular schedule of study, a particular time I try to save for studying and nothing else. 

YES   NO  7. I use my time effectively. 

YES   NO  8. Every day I REVIEW every subject. 

YES   NO  9. I take limited breaks. 

YES   NO  10. I avoid day-dreaming. 

YES   NO  11. I jot down distracting thoughts. 

YES   NO  12. I study in a quiet place that is free from noisy disturbances. 

YES   NO  13. When I sit down to study, I have the equipment and materials I need. 

YES   NO  14. I divide my study time among my various subjects. 

LIBRARY AND DICTIONARY CHECKLIST

YES   NO  1. I know how to use the card catalog. 

YES   NO  2. I make use of the various reference materials in the library. 

YES   NO  3. I know how to use the reference materials in the library. 

YES   NO  4. I have a good dictionary within reach when I am studying. 

ORGANIZATION CHECKLIST

YES   NO  1. I write down each assignment and due date. 

YES   NO  2. I ask questions when I don't understand. 

YES   NO  3. I understand the purpose of the assignment. 

YES   NO  4. I know what books and materials I have to take home every day. 

YES   NO  5. I write down long-term assignments, test days, etc., on a big wall calendar. 

YES   NO  6. I check my calendar every day. 

YES   NO  7. I complete all the homework I can. 

YES   NO  8. I work on the hardest homework first. 

YES   NO  9. I reread each assignment as I finish. 

YES   NO  10. I check my assignment pad to make sure that I have done everything. 

YES   NO  11. I put my homework and books in my backpack. 

YES   NO  12. I save all my homework to study from at test time. 

DESK CHECKLIST

YES   NO  1. I have no loose papers. 

YES   NO  2. My books are stacked neatly. 

YES   NO  3. My books are flat with the title out. 

YES   NO  4. I have small items in a box.

NOTEBOOK CHECKLIST

YES   NO  1. I have a place for my homework. 

YES   NO  2. I have a zipper case to store my pencils and pens. 

YES   NO  3. I have a calendar. 

YES   NO  4. I have recorded assignments on my calendar. 

YES   NO  5. I have a section for Language Arts. 

YES   NO  6. I have a section for Science. 

YES   NO  7. I have a section for Math. 

YES   NO  8. I have a section for Social Studies. 

YES   NO  9. I have a section for Health. 

YES   NO  10. I have extra paper.

YES   NO  11. I have a holding folder in the back of my notebook. 

YES   NO  12. I have my papers filed correctly. 

NOTE-TAKING SKILLS CHECKLIST

YES   NO  1. I PREVIEW the main points in pre-class assignments. 

YES   NO  2. I keep separate sections for my notes on each subject. 

YES   NO  3. I date each paper and write the name of the class. 

YES   NO  4. I leave margins for notes to myself. I take notes on every other line to leave additional space for added notes. 

YES   NO  5. I record only main ideas. 

YES   NO  6. I arrange the main ideas in headings or outline form. 

YES   NO  7. I write examples and supporting information under the main ideas. 

YES   NO  8. I use abbreviations or my own personal shorthand symbols. 

YES   NO  9. I underline important words in my notes and on handouts. 

YES   NO  10. I save all handout sheets in the proper section of my notebook. 

YES   NO  11. I copy what the teacher puts on the blackboard. 

YES   NO  12. I borrow back-up notes from a classmate if I miss a class or happen to take unclear notes during a particular class.

YES   NO  13. I read each days notes when I do my homework. 

YES   NO  14. I reread all notes and handouts covered on a test. 

YES   NO  15. I rewrite all my notes. 

LISTENING CHECKLIST

YES   NO  1. I read my work before going to class. 

YES   NO  2. I am on time. 

YES   NO  3. I leave my personal problems outside the classroom. 

YES   NO  4. I sit close to the front of the room if I can. 

YES   NO  5. I am alert to opening and closing remarks. 

YES   NO  6. I follow the teacher's body language and listen for changes in the tone of voice.

YES   NO  7. I look at the instructor when I am not taking notes. 

YES   NO  8. I stay involved by asking or answering questions. 

YES   NO  9. I reinforce what I hear with good notes. 

YES   NO  10. I borrow someone else's notes to cover any points I didn't hear clearly. 

READING CHECKLIST

YES   NO  1. I read over the Table of Contents of a book before I begin studying the book. 

YES   NO  2. I SURVEY each chapter as it is assigned for chapter title, main headings, subheading and anything else in bold type. 

YES   NO  3. I skim the questions at the end of each chapter before I read the chapter. 

YES   NO  4. I pay special attention to words in heavy type, italics, introductory and concluding sentences and paragraphs. 

YES   NO  5. I take note of visual information, graphs, tables and diagrams. 

YES   NO  6. I outline the textbook chapters. 

YES   NO  7. I write and then read to answer those questions that will be answered from the reading. 

YES   NO  8. I look up the meanings of unfamiliar words and jot them down.

YES   NO  9. I use aspects of the SQRRR method whenever I read.

MEMORIZATION CHECKLIST

YES   NO  1. I try to find a genuine interest in what I have to remember. 

YES   NO  2. I try to understand all the material that I should remember.

YES   NO  3. I associate new material with previous experiences. 

YES   NO  4. I see relationships between the individual details and the whole idea. 

YES   NO  5. I memorize at the beginning of my study time. 

YES   NO  6. I write down what I want to memorize. 

YES   NO  7. I repeat out loud what I want to memorize or I repeat it into a tape recorder and keep playing it back.

YES   NO  8. I use visualization to help me to memorize. 

YES   NO  9. I use mnemonic devices to help me to memorize. 

YES   NO  10. I overlearn to build confidence in my ability to memorize. 

TEST PREPARATION CHECKLIST

YES   NO  1. I ask the teacher what material will be covered on the test. 

YES   NO  2. I find out what kind of test will be given, objective, essay, multiple choice, true-false, open book, etc. 

YES   NO  3. I copy the test date onto a big calendar. 

YES   NO  4. I plan a study schedule. 

YES   NO  5. I catch up on missing assignments. 

YES   NO  6. I do memorizing a little bit at a time every day. 

YES   NO  7. I skim class notes and handout sheets. 

YES   NO  8. I skim old tests and homework assignments.

YES   NO  9. I skim textbook chapters. 

YES   NO  10. I ask for help on any material I don't understand.

YES   NO  11. I make up examination questions and then answer them. 

YES   NO  12. I make up study aids (main idea lists, definition sheets, time lines, outlines) to review 

YES   NO  13. I quiz myself or I study with a friend and we quiz each other. 

YES   NO  14. I limit my last minute review to checking major points and clearing up ideas. 

YES   NO  15. I get a good night's sleep and eat a good breakfast on the day of the test. 

TEST TAKING CHECKLIST

YES   NO  1. I am on time and well equipped for the test. 

YES   NO  2. I listen carefully to my teacher's comments. 

YES   NO  3. I write my name and date on the test sheet. 

YES   NO  4. I read carefully any written directions, underlining important words as I read. I read directions at least twice.

YES   NO  5. I figure out a quick time schedule. YES   NO  6. I leave a few minutes at the end of the test for rereading. 

YES   NO  7. I do the easiest questions first and mark those I can't answer but want to go back to try again. 

YES   NO  8. I go back and answer the marked questions and put a double mark next to questions I still can't answer. 

YES   NO  9. I guess answers if only right answers are counted. 

YES   NO  10. I double check my answers and I don't change anything without a good reason. 

YES   NO  11. On essay type tests, I outline my answers before I begin to write them. 

YES   NO  12. I proofread my answers to an essay test. 

YES   NO  13. I check that my test paper is neat and easy to read. 

YES   NO  14. I save all my tests to plan strategy for future testing. 

1. Prepare copies of the specific checklists. Go over each point to insure understanding. The children will then complete each checklist and the ensuing discussion will demonstrate to the youngsters their specific strength and weakness in the designated checklist area. A self-plan of action is then generated for each child.

2. Age-appropriate rewards and affirmations are given for success and also successful attempts.