How to teach study skills to elementary students?

Written by Admin

In order to learn more efficiently, feel more academically confident, undergo challenges without giving up, and ultimately do their very best, students need to develop good study habits and techniques. The assumption that learners already possess these skills can, at times, be mistaken. In reality, sometimes they do not; many students are not aware of how to study for tests or organize their binders. It is a skill that can be improved over time, even for students who find it challenging.

Take time to address and teach students basic study habits and skills if you notice that some of them are struggling. There are many opportunities to invest in study skills, such as a separate study skills class, morning meeting, or resource room. Plan ahead and stick to your schedule. Incorporating these practices early in the learning process can benefit learners of all abilities. You can start incorporating Executive Functioning and Study Skills activities right away if you like, but we have compiled a list of ideas and resources to get you started.

To help your students develop study skills in your classroom, we’ve compiled a few easy strategies, tips, and tricks:

Practicing just to learn is the best way to study. It is not uncommon for students to think studying is only necessary for tests or quizzes. As an alternative, encourage kids to accept studying as a part of the learning process. By learning just for the sake of learning, students can reduce the amount of time they have to spend studying for a test or quiz, and it helps them to remember the material more easily.

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Utilize the current curriculum to practice studying skills. Students are sometimes reluctant to learn study skills because they believe it is a waste of time. It is important for kids and young adults to be able to apply study skills right away with current classwork in order to make the learning process meaningful. Flashcards should include current vocabulary terms if you are learning how to make them. Whenever possible, simulate a real-life project when teaching time management. Making the current curriculum more meaningful and memorable can be achieved by teaching the skills along with the curriculum.

Habits and routines can be powerful tools. Understanding how important habits are to our lives can be very beneficial for students. Discussions can be focused on and highlighted by bringing to the forefront some current habits that students already possess (for example, brushing their teeth after breakfast or cleaning up their trays after lunch). As soon as we integrate these tasks into our daily routines, they become much easier. Writing down homework, organizing their binder, and studying for exams can eventually encourage students to develop these habits.

Empower students to perform executive functions. Developing executive function skills is inherently linked to their academic performance. The skills of planning, organization, self-control, attention, flexibility, and perseverance can be improved significantly by students. The most important thing is to explain to students that these skills can be improved with practice and hard work. Learn about executive functioning skills in this blog post if you would like more background information.

Time management is a precious skill to learn. Having the ability to manage your time well is one of the most valuable skills to acquire. Students can estimate how long it will take to complete a task by doing ten jumping jacks or walking from a store to the water fountain and back again. After that, students should actually perform the task and see if their estimates are accurate. Having students consider how long tasks will take by considering what they need to do and then reflecting on their progress can be an easy way to relate to this.

The meaning of prioritizing should be discussed. Organizing tasks according to priority is a method of deciding which order tasks should be completed. Students are tasked with juggling many different responsibilities, so it can be challenging to master this skill. Here are a few examples and tell us what you are facing in the next two weeks: You have a test tomorrow and a big project due two weeks from now. Where should you focus your efforts? Students learning how to prioritize in the future can benefit from problem-solving situations.

Develop organizational skills. Staying organized is among the most critical study skills you can possess. Make time to instruct learners about organizing materials, schedules, and projects explicitly. You can help kids get their organizational skills in shape with this Organization Boot Camp if you are interested in organizational skills specifically.

Organize your homework in a binder (or folder). A homework folder or binder can get the job done for many learners if they set one up and carry it everywhere with them. Current homework that needs to be completed or turned in will be found in this folder. Create two folders and label one "Done" and the other "To Do". This can be a particularly useful tip for students who lose their assignments and want to find them again.

Teach students how to write down their homework. This example may seem silly, but many learners have difficulty organizing and jotting down their homework. Explanation of why homework is significant and how to write it down accurately. Checking the homework log each day or each week is also helpful.

Educate students on the importance of setting goals. Creating an action-oriented plan for achieving personal goals should be a key skill for all students. This is an essential study skill, but it is also a significant life skill! Develop SMART goals for your students that they would like to achieve in a short period. You should then check in with those goals regularly to ensure they are being met.

Have fun playing games. It can be challenging to learn and improve one's study skills. This is one reason games can be useful to provide additional learning opportunities. Games can actually be used to practice study strategies at the same time. For example, use flashcards to practice questions for upcoming tests or quizzes. Students must answer a question each time they take a turn!

Educate students about stress management. Schools can be stressful for both students and young adults. To help students cope with their feelings in a healthy manner, it is important to teach them coping strategies. Discussion topics can include how to journal, read, exercise, and practice mindfulness.

Take regular breaks to recharge your brain. Every student needs a mental break sometimes. Observe when students need a photo of themselves and encourage them to take one. Engage students in different types of brain breaks, including exercise and mindfulness. Enjoy a brain break that is ready to go with these free mindfulness coloring pages.

Memorization is a valuable skill. Some students memorize dates, while others retain vocabulary words. It is possible to teach, practice, and strengthen these skills in the long run. Play memory games, memorize lists, lyrics, and numbers to teach this skill.

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