KENWOOD ACADEMY FRESHMEN ADVISORY
STUDY SKILLS CURRICULUM GUIDE






AIM

Todevelop effective learning strategies among ninth grade students that will enable them to experience a positive transition from elementary to high school.  We are committed to assisting freshmen students with establishing the skills and resources to establish a solid grade point average through the development of appropriate study skills.
 

RATIONALE

A high percentage of freshman students fail at least one course during their first year of high school.  Overall student achievement research indicates that freshmen students need assistance with developing the skills necessary to successfully complete the high school core curriculum.  CPS core curriculum guidelines include the following requirements:

4 years of English
3 years of Math (Algebra, Geometry, Algebra-Trigonometry)
3 years of Science (Biology/Environmental Science, Chemistry, & Physics)
3 years of Social Studies
1 year of Art
1 year of Music
4 years of Physical Education
5 Elective Units

Students must develop a solid plan for learning material.  Students will begin this process, through first completing a study skills assessment and a learning styles inventory.  These assessments will enable students to understand the best way to approach new material and begin to understand how they learn best.
 
 

AUDIENCE

This curriculum is designed for students entering Kenwood Academy in the fall of 1999.  Students will participate in this program through the advisory period with the expected goals of decreased failure,   improved study skills and increased overall academic success in high school, especially during the 9th grade year.
 

DESCRIPTION OF SUBJECT MATTER
 


LEARNING OBJECTIVES
 

  1. Student will learn to organize class notes in preparation for class quizzes and tests.
  2. Students will evaluate present note taking skills and attitudes.
  3. Students will learn the SQ3R reading method.Students will develop effective organizational skills through the use of an assignment notebook and daily planner.
  4. Students will develop a study schedule for use at home and after school.
  5. Students will identify present assumptions and misconception about studying and learning.
  6. Students will complete a learning styles and study skills assessment as a means of effectively
  7. assessing individual learning style.
  8. Students will develop strategies and techniques for test preparation.
  9. Students will demonstrate ways of preparing for objective and essay exams.
  10. Students will develop the necessary skills to  understand  textbook organization
  11. Students will learn the skills to effectively read textbooks.
INSTRUCTIONAL PLANS
 
  1. Require students to keep an assignment notebook with all relevant homework and project due dates.
  2. Require students to identify a study buddy.
  3. Require students to establish a study schedule.
  4. Require students to maintain a folder with all graded assignments.
  5. Require students to complete a learning styles assessment and analyze how to incorporate this information into individual study skills.
  6. Identify and coordinate student speakers for topics on "how to be successful in high school".
  7. Provide students with weekly feedback on academic progress.
  8. Develop activities for students to practice test taking skills.
  9. Identify strategies for improving individual test scores.
  10. Coordinate activities that will assist students with practicing skimming, scanning, and outlining skills for reading textbooks.
  11. Discuss strategies for effective test taking.
  12. Formally establish a formal study skills program that will provide strategies for ninth grade students to decrease core subject failure rates.


MATERIALS


ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION