Effective Revision Techniques: Study Independently

Unpack your planner and your equipment and write your name on the revision techniques sheet Bell Task: On a post-it note, create a list of reasons why you think we need to study independently. DEFINITION of STUDY: The devotion of time and attention to gaining knowledge of an academic subject

Bell Task: Quick Feedback: On a post-it note, create a list of reasons why you think we need to study independently. REASONS WE STUDY INDEPENDENTLY DEFINITION of STUDY: The devotion of time and attention to gaining knowledge of an academic subject

Session Objectives: By the end of today’s session we will: 1. Be able to study effectively

Session Outcomes: How will you be successful during today’s session? You will have listed effective revision/study techniques and made notes about each technique You will have decided which strategy you think will work best for you

Session Objectives: By the end of today’s session we will: 1. Be able to study effectively Why are you participating in this session? Feedback from some students in Year 11 was that they didn't know effective methods of revision early enough. During your time at Laurence Jackson School, it is essential that you build up skills to develop memory retention to prepare you fully for GCSE study. Part of being a successful student is being an independent studier so when you have gathered this information, you can practise the tasks at home to develop and revise your learning.

Session Objectives: By the end of today’s session we will: 1. Be able to study effectively • KEY STEPS FOR SUCCESS • Avoid leaving your revision until the night before. • Instead, come up with a revision plan earlythat ‘chunks’ and ‘builds’ your revision up overtime. • On the lead up to the exam, don’t focus on passing or failing. If you’ve kept to your revision plan, and you’re calm, the answers will come naturally. • Just before the exam itself, don’t ‘test’ yourself on specific questions and when you finally sit down avoid rushing into things. • Try not to be frightened of exam stress, but instead see it as a positive force – after all, it keeps you on your toes mentally and can help you focus on the task in hand. • Avoid comparing your abilities with your mates. Everyone approaches revision in different ways, so just make sure you’ve chosen the method that works best for you.

Session Objectives: By the end of today’s session we will: 1. Be able to study effectively Let’s start thinking about studying independently. Task: With your partner, discuss for 30 seconds how you currently revise for exams.

Session Objectives: By the end of today’s session we will: 1. Be able to study effectively How do you currently study independently? Checkpoint – Did you know? You will only remember 5-10% of information you read

Session Objectives: By the end of today’s session we will: 1. Be able to study effectively So, what does work? Here are a variety of effective techniques to study independently. You will need to make notes on the sheet provided so you have as much information as possible. Make sure you present your work clearly so you can refer back to this when needed. Everybody should make relevant notes on the green page in your planner.

Session Objectives: By the end of today’s session we will: Be able to study effectively SMART LISTS To create your own 'Smart List' think of a subject or topic area you need to learn.... Write down everything that you know about this without looking at your notes - it could be as basic as bullet pointing. Once you have completed your list compare this with your notes. Add the elements you missed in a different colour, and spend some time going over these elements only. In the days and weeks that follow try to do your list again - and hopefully there will be more elements on there this time. Your lists will help you to identify your areas of confidence and weakness - so that you can tailor your revision around this!

Session Objectives: By the end of today’s session we will: 1. Be able to study effectively MNEMONICS, ACROSTICS AND RHYMES Mnemonics are great for remembering lists and themes - especially when they have to be in a certain order! To use mnemonics write down a list of things you need to remember, and underline their initial letters..... Use your imagination to come up with a rhyme or word to help you remember your list - this can work for any subject or topic.... The most common and simple form of an acrostic poem is where the first letters of each line spell out the word or phrase. In the exam when you see questions that rely on your mnemonic you can simply write it in the margin to help your answer and cross it out when you are finished! ACROSTIC MNEMONIC

Session Objectives: By the end of today’s session we will: 1. Be able to study effectively MIND MAPPING Mind Maps are brilliant for summarising a topic and drawing themes and ideas together. You can cram so much information on to a Mind Map if it is done correctly. Present it using images and colour to trigger your memory in an exam. Using A3 or A4 paper is wise, so that you can fit all the detail you need on your map clearly. Once the mind map is finished you can then display it somewhere that you will see it regularly - in your room, back of a door, next to your PC monitor etc..... A great way to revisit this would be to take the mind map down then try to recreate it from memory!

Session Objectives: By the end of today’s session we will: 1. Be able to study effectively RECORD YOURSELF Most Smart phones have recording facilities built into them, which means you can record quick notes here and there.... You could record yourself reading some revision notes and play this back a few times to help you remember it, or even record 'to do' lists for yourself as and when you remember them! You can even download blogs from the Internet of 'soundbites' on topics - just in case you would rather hear someone else's voice rather than your own!

Session Objectives: By the end of today’s session we will: 1. Be able to study effectively CONDENSE YOUR LISTS Nobody wants to revise from pages and pages of writing - especially when you are trying to improve longer or extended essay answers.... The aim here is to cram lots of information into a much smaller space so that you are not over faced with too much paper and detail.... You can start with 10 worksheets - try summarising the main points from each one onto a post-it note.... Then use your 10 post it notes to condense this into 5.... Before you know it you will have summarised the key points right down from what looked like mountains of work.

Session Objectives: By the end of today’s session we will: 1. Be able to study effectively STUDY WITH FRIENDS This one will either work for you or it won't.... Studying with friends can be really effective and time-saving, but if you are not self-disciplined can turn into one BIG gossip session with no work done at all! Small group studying works best, with everyone studying the same topic or theme. You can then divide the workload between you...and teach each other. Golden rules: If you go to each other's homes choose a venue that you can be monitored in - like the dining room. No mobiles allowed - It is too easy for Facebook checking! Put a good chunk of time aside - perhaps get a takeaway as a reward at the end of the evening?

Session Objectives: By the end of today’s session we will: 1. Be able to study effectively EXEMPLAR WORK You will all have an example of a piece of work that got you good marks... use this as inspiration for your independent study. Identify what made this piece of work so successful and use this to guide the work you complete during study time. You might like to ask your teachers for some exemplar work from their subject areas.... If you are struggling with a topic area, having the opportunity to read an answer from someone who nailed the question can improve YOUR answer massively!

Session Objectives: By the end of today’s session we will: 1. Be able to study effectively Click on this picture to watch a video to view advice for creating flashcards FLASH CARDS Flashcards are great for small snippets of information that you need to know for the exams... You can use your notes to create flashcards that have questions on the front and answers on the back. Make it challenging! Once you have made a good amount of flashcards you can test yourself. If you get a question right put the card on one pile, if you get it wrong put it on another. Wait a while and then try the 'wrong' pile again.... Keep using your flashcards until you can go through the whole pile and get them all right. Alternatively you can use them for displaying small diagrams or definitions and study them whilst watching TV or having tea!

Session Objectives: By the end of today’s session we will: 1. Be able to study effectively Finally, have a notebook where you can write down feedback you’ve received from teachers. By having these notes listed you can refer to them easily when working on that subject and focus on the areas you need to improve on. This can be used in lessons or whilst doing homework.

Session Objectives: By the end of today’s session we will: 1. Be able to revise effectively Find a strategy that works for you.... If there is a certain subject or topic that you need help with, see your teacher. DON'T just give up or quickly read through your books/notes - it doesn't work as effectively!

Session Objectives: By the end of today’s session we will: 1. be able to study effectively PLENARY: Which strategy do you think will work best for you? Write in your planner the following: ‘Create _________ to develop my understanding of ________’. You must show your form tutor evidence that this has taken place by: Insert revision technique here, e.g. ‘Mind Map’ Insert a subject and topic here e.g. ‘The character of Scrooge in A Christmas Carol’

Apps to highlight to students?

Effective Revision Techniques: Study Independently