February 10, 2002
HINTS - THE SUCCESSFUL STUDENT
COPYING
STUFF OFF THE BOARD OR OVERHEAD
Be sure you can SEE and FOCUS on the letters. If you can't, ask to move closer
Read "CHUNKS" of information not word by word or letter by letter
Be sure you can read whatever you are to copy
Read the information quietly to yourself. This will help it "stick in your mind."
If everybody else is copying and finishing faster than you are, ASK the teacher for a copy to use at your desk - especially if it about to be erased for the next lesson.
LISTENING
Look at the speaker, sit still, sit up and have eye contact
THINK about what is being said - what are you supposed to learn?
Nod your head once in a while to show you are paying attention
Ask a question to find out more.
PAYING
ATTENTION IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO DISTRACT YOU
--such as noise, lights flickering, someone talks, someone walks by, your
thoughts wander ---
Count to five
- THINK about what to do next
Say to yourself - "I can ignore it. I will keep working!"
Do it - keep working --- write, read, think
Say to yourself "Good for me, I did it!"
ASKING
FOR HELP
Think - "Can I do this alone?" If not, raise your hand
WAIT. Say to yourself - "I know I can wait quietly."
While you wait = THINK
What will you ask?
Is this a good time to ask?
When help
arrives, ask in a friendly way, smile, be patient, say "thank you".
TAKING
NOTES
Know the reason for taking notes =
Our memories fade quickly - if you write it, you can refresh your memory by
reading your notes.
Taking notes will help you understand the information and get better grades.
HOW
TO TAKE NOTES
Use lined paper
Leave a wide margin on the left side to add ideas, vocabulary, and notes later
Skip lines - spread out your notes for easy reading
Figure out the Main Ideas
What is the topic? What am I supposed to learn?
Later go back and highlight the important stuff
If the
teacher writes ANYTHING on the board or overhead, you can bet it is important
COPY IT!!
Write new vocabulary words in the left margin to look up later.
Develop a code for yourself to indicate stuff you think will be on the test.
example = R2 (read again)
*** (important)
TT (probably a test item) Also make up your own shorthand for word used
frequently i.e. w/ ft etc.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
WHAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE?
My comments - BJ Madewell
Successful
students use STRATEGIES to be successful. Learn some of these strategies to be
more successful yourself!
PS
SOME COMMENTS FOR ADULTS TO PONDER
I talk the talk but I don't walk the walk.
How can I expect the my kids to have regular bedtimes when I don't?
Why do I expect them to be here for dinner when half the time I don't know what's FOR dinner?
Why do I expect them to pick up their belongings when I don't?
How can I expect them to clean their rooms when my bedroom is THE messiest room in the house?
And, more sobering, why do I expect them to honor their commitments when I don't honor mine?
When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.
THE FREE SPELLING AIDE IS POSTED AT
http://www.egroups.com/files/ADDchoices/
BE PATIENT --- IT TAKES A WHILE TO LOAD!
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DISCLAIMER
This information is for
educational purposes only. Much of the information is from classes and workshops
I’ve taken during my 28+ years of working with ADD & ADHD students –
sprinkled with my own comments, thoughts and insights.
Some information has been acquired from the INTERNET. Be aware that not all information on the WWW is accurate. Use your own judgment.
This information is not intended to replace information from your doctor, therapist, lawyer, psychologist, nutritionist or psychiatrist. Consult your child’s (or your own) doctor for additional input
.
Editor: BJ Madewell
Wichita, KS area
316-733-9532
FAX not available
Email ADDchoices@aol.com or ADDchoices@yahoo.com
You may copy and print this newsletter for your own use and freely distribute it to others. You cannot sell this information. It is FREE.
Please include my email address & phone # on anything you give to others.
BJ Madewell
