How to Get Good Grades

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How to Get Good Grades
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Summer School

• Monroe Township High School WILL
• NOT offer Remedial Summer School!!!
• It is important to pass all of your classes!

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Be Organized

• 1. Use an Assignment Notebook
• Take it to every class. Write each
  assignment on the page number under the date its
  due.
• 2. Use Three-Ring Binders
• These work well because you can easily
  insert handouts. If you miss a days notes, you
  can copy someone elses and insert them where
  they belong.
• 3. Use Folders
• Have a different colored pocket folder
  for each class to keep assignments, quizzes and
  tests.
• 4. Have Phone Numbers for Classmates
• Make sure you have the phone number of at
  least one person in each class.

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Be Organized

• Keep Locker and Backpack Neat
• Never put loose papers in your locker,
  backpack or book
• Get Organized Before Bed
• Put completed homework in appropriate
  folders. Put everything you need for the
  following day in the same place each night.

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Be Successful in the Classroom

• Adapt to Different Teachers
• In the classroom, the teachers are in
  charge and make the rules. Learn to adapt to
  different personalities, teaching styles and
  expectations
• Be Prepared
• Bring books, pencils, paper etc. to
  class and have all assignments completed. When
  you do you homework, the lecture makes sense and
  you can participate in class discussions.
• Sit in the Front of Class if possible
• Easier to pay attention and to stay
  involved.
• Be Aware of Body Language
• Teachers know who is paying attention,
  who is taking notes and listening

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Be Successful in the Classroom

• 5. Always Do Your Homework
• A significant portion of your grade is
  usually based on homework. Your grade drops
  every time you miss an assignment.
• Participate in Class
• Many teachers give participation points.
  These are easy to get. Participating keeps you
  focused and keeps your mind from wandering.
• Treat Others with Courtesy and Respect
• Treat teachers and classmates the same
  way that you want to be treated
• Involve Your Parents
• Make parents your allies. When they
  ask What did you do in school today/ tell them.

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Take Good Notes

• Be An Active Listener
• When you actively listen, you think
  about and try to understand the information that
  is being presented.
• 2. Take Notes to Help You Pay Attention
• When you take notes, you dont have time
  to think about anything else.
• Recognize Important Information
• Anything your teacher takes the time to
  write on the board or overhead should be
  considered very important. Underline or put a
  star beside it so you remember to give it special
  attention later.
• Take Notes that are Easy to Read
• Put the name of the class, the date,
  and the page number at the top of each page of
  notes. Write on every other line so you will
  have space if you want to add something later.
  Use symbols and abbreviations. Write key words
  in margins. Go over notes to keep them fresh in
  your mind.
• 5. Get Lecture Notes When You are Absent

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How to Read a Textbook

• SCAN
• Read the title, the subtitles, and
  everything in bold and italic print. Look at all
  pictures, graphs and charts. Read review
  questions and summaries.
• READ
• When your reading has a purpose, your
  comprehension improves and its easier to stay
  focused. Turn each boldfaced subtitle into a
  question.
• REVIEW
• Reviewing locks information into your
  brain before it has a chance to evaporate.

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STUDY SMART!

• Find a Good Place to Study
• Have a regular place to study that is
  well lit, comfortable, and has surface for
  writing. Have paper, pencils, a calculator,
  dictionary and thesaurus.
• Get Started
• Begin with something simple or a
  subject you like
• Know Your Learning Style
• Some students learn best by seeing the
  material, some from hearing the information, and
  some learn best by doing. Think about how you
  learn and adjust how you study accordingly.
• Organize Your Study Time
• Before you study, make a plan. Decide
  what needs to get done and the order in which you
  will do it. Always allow more time than you
  think youll need. If you have something that
  seems overwhelming, break it down into smaller
  parts. If you have something to memorize, work
  on that first, and then review it again at the
  end of your study session.

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STUDY SMART!!

• 5. Study For Tests
• Know what the test is going to cover so
  you know what to study. Pay particularly close
  attention in class the day before at test. This
  is usually when teachers review information that
  you need to know. If a teacher gives you a
  review sheet, study it until you know all of the
  material on it.
• Essay Tests
• Understand the big picture and know main
  points and key facts.
• Fill in the Blank and Multiple Choice
• You need to know more detailed
  information
• You really know something if you can explain it
  in YOUR OWN WORDS!!

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STUDY SMART!!

• Review Often
• When you review, you move information
  from your short-term memory into your long-term
  memory.
• Use Tricks to Help Memorize
• Use study cards or flash cards to
  memorize vocabulary works, facts and lists. If
  you have a lot to memorize, spread it out over a
  period of time and keep going over and over it.
  Right before you go to sleep, go over and
  information that you want to remember.

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Study Smart!!

• 8. Know How to Write a Paper
• The key is to spread it out over as
  much time as possible. Writing a paper is a
  process.
• 1. Start by brainstorming and taking notes,
• 2. Make an outline.
• 3. From your outline, write a rough draft.
• 4. Rewrite the paper until you have it just the
  way you want it,
• 5. Write the final draft
• To get a good grade on a paper, you must follow
  the directions exactly, make sure there are no
  spelling or grammatical errors, have someone else
  read your paper to give you suggestions, make
  sure your paper is neat, and always turn your
  paper in on time!

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Use Test-Taking Strategies

• Get a Good Start
• Have everything you need for the test
  (pencil, erasable pen, calculator, etc.) If you
  have a couple of minutes before the test, try to
  relax.
• Develop a Plan
• Before you begin answering questions,
  quickly look over the entire test and develop a
  plan.
• Mark Questions that you Want to Return to
• Put a dot or light check mark by any
  answer youre not sure of. After you go through
  all questions, return to the ones you marked and
  try again. Dont panic if you dont know the
  answers to the first few questions. Sometimes it
  takes a few minutes for your brain to get into
  gear.

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Test Taking

• Multiple Choice
• Try to come up with the answer in your
  head before you look at the choices. If you are
  not sure of the answer, eliminate the choices you
  know are incorrect by crossing them out, and then
  make an educated guess
• True/False
• Statements with always, never, all, and
  none in them are usually FALSE. Statements with
  usually, often, sometimes, most, and many in them
  are usually TRUE. Read questions carefully one
  word will often determine whether a statement is
  True or False.

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Test Taking

• Essay Questions
• Start with the easiest one.
• Before any writing, brainstorm.
• Jot down key words, ideas, and point you want to
  cover.
• Write legibly and in complete sentences.
• Make sure your sentences are clear and concise.
• opening paragraph, state the questions and what
  the reader can expect to learn from your essay
• Middle paragraphs, present examples, details,
  evidence, and facts to support the points you are
  making.
• Final paragraph, restate your position along with
  a quick summary
• Reread your answer and make corrections.

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Test Taking

• Math Tests
• Before you start to solve a problem, try
  to estimate what the answer will be. Dont spend
  too much time on one problem. Move on an come
  back to it later. Show ALL of your work.
• Open Book Tests
• The key is to be able to locate the
  information quickly. Highlight your notes and
  put self-stick notes or bookmarks in your
  textbook. You can rewrite information you know
  youll need on a separate sheet of paper.
• Check Answers
• If you have time, check all answers,
  even the ones you know are correct. You may have
  read the question wrong or made a careless
  mistake. Always use all the time that you are
  given!
• Go Over All Returned Tests
• Go over each question you missed and
  write in the correct answer. Check to make sure
  you test was graded correctly. File all returned
  tests in your folders.

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Reduce Test Anxiety

• Some Anxiety is Good
• A little anxiety before a test improves
  your concentration and alertness. Excessive
  worry, or test anxiety will lower your test
  scores.
• Study Early
• Review material ahead of time.
• Confidence
• Walk into the test with your head up
  and you shoulders back. If you act confident,
  you will feel more confident
• Positive Thinking
• The more you practice this the better
  you will be.
• Relaxation Techniques
• Take deep breaths and think of a place
  where you feel very relaxed and calm.

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Get Help When You Need It

• Talk to Your Teacher
• Let your teacher know if you are having
  difficulty. Make arrangements to stay after
  school or to come into school early.
• Get a Tutor
• Make arrangements to get a student
  tutor. Outside tutors are also available for a
  fee. Check with your Guidance Counselor to see
  if he or she has a list of tutors.
• NHS Tutors Monday through Thursday (Media
  Center) Walk-in or make an appointment with your
  Counselor.
• CMAC Monday through Thursday (Walk-in)
• Writing Lab - Monday through Thursday
  (Walk-in)

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Guidance Counselors

• A-Com Mr. Grosshandler
• Con-He Mr. Cernansky
• HI-L Ms. Rockoff
• M-Pa Ms. Messinger
• Pe-Si Mr. Longo
• Sk-Z Ms. Petersen