Study Skills Syllabus

York Country Day School

2006 / 2007 

Description: The Study Skills curriculum, for 6th graders, is designed to increase student awareness of their academic skills and abilities. Entry into Middle School is an important transition for a number of reasons. These include: having multiple teachers, varied schedules, organizational and comprehension demands, note-taking, etc. As educators, we need to support, model, and provide opportunities for students to incorporate positive, effective routines into their academic activities. We will begin by engaging in some discovery inventories that will help us realize our learning and personality preferences. This information is foundational to the “how” of studying and learning. In addition, we will discuss organizational (time management) practices, identifying main ideas and topics, note-taking, reading comprehension strategies, study habits, listening skills, and test taking techniques. These are designed to foster self-confidence and academic independence in each student as they progress to higher grade levels. 

Format:  In this course, I will use a variety of teaching methods that include: modeling, guided practice, independent practice, and application of skills in isolation and authentically in their current content subjects.

Objectives:

  1. To improve the students’ organizational skills.
  2. To develop the students’ understanding of routine academic skills.
  3. To foster an appreciation for individual learning preferences.
  4. To advance the students’ use of graphic organizers.
  5. To improve the students’ note-taking, highlighting, paraphrasing, and summarizing skills.
  6. To have students authentically apply these skills to all their core subject classes.

Materials:

a.       The Study Skills handbook;  Dodge J., Scholastic, 1994.

  1. Study Skills;   Vener D., Landmark School Inc. 2002.
  2. Various academic and study materials that supplement our objectives.

 

 

Assessment: Grading will be holistic and based on the student’s participation , effort, and application of content to their core academic subjects.  

Classroom Expectations:

  1. Students will follow directions the first time given.
  2. Students will come to class on time and be prepared with homework, agenda, pens / pencils, books etc.
  3. Students will stay on task and give their best effort.
  4. Students will not disrupt others.
  5. Students will consciously live by our Honor Code and Core Virtues.
  6. Students will accept responsibility for their academic and social actions.

If the previous expectations are not met, these consequences will occur.

  1. Warnings
  2. Detention and or written explanation of behavior.
  3. Middle School Head / Teacher / Student conference.
  4. Parents notified.

 

Parents,

I encourage and welcome your support and comments throughout the quarter. Ensuring that the students grow and develop in their use of academic and organizational skills is of primary importance. 

                                                                    

                                                                   Mr. Tomevi