Chat and ChewDecember 17, 2010

First Semester Final Exams: Information and pointers

General exam information Exam schedule Study skills Review Sheets Stress and Time Management

This evening we will discuss…

Students will have finals in most of their core classes.

Finals count for 25% of the student’s semester grade.

They do have to prepare for them.◦ Review sheets are distributed in all classes.◦ They will also be posted on Edline.

Final Exams are Coming

Periods 1 and 2 – Friday, January 14 MLK Day, No School – Monday, January 17 Periods 3 and 4 – Tuesday, January 18 Periods 5/6 and 7 – Wednesday, January 19 Periods 8 and 9 – Thursday, January 20 Make–up exam day–Friday, January 21

Students must have administrative approval and also need to schedule the test with the teacher.

If there is a snow day, school will resume with the next scheduled exam period.

Final Exam Week – January 14-20

7:25 – 9:35 – Final exam/Culminating activity 9:35 – 9:50 – Break 9:50 – 12:00 – Final Exam/Culminating activity 12:00 – 12:30 – Lunch

If a student does not have exam during the first exam period, he or she does not have to come to school until the second exam period. If a student does not have a second exam, he or she may leave after the first exam period is over.

Meeting times

The bus schedule is not changed during exam week. So, if the only way your child can get to school is on the bus, he or she

must report to the SAC when not testing.

Transportation

Questions?

The teacher says we have to study.Does your child know how?

Many students think re-reading the textbook or notes is studying.

Again, the students need to have more active strategies:◦ Going over quizzes and other work to make sure they

understand what they previously got wrong.◦ Attending academic support sessions with the

teacher if there is any confusion.◦ Making study guides

Often, students have to try many different techniques to learn which style is the best for them.

Study Skills

History◦ CAP US History review after the 1 and 2 exams -164◦ Individual teachers will offer review sessions prior to exams

English World languages – all review sheets are available online.

◦ http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/languages/languagesoffered.aspx

Math – review sheets are available. A lot of practice is recommended.◦ Magnet math help –every lunch in 317◦ http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/math/high/

Review sheets will be available on Edline. We have gathered many and we will put them on the List Serve as well.

Exam Review Sheets

Questions?

Exams and the end of the semester can be a stressful time.

43% of 13-14 year olds feel stressed every day

59% of 15-17 year olds feel stressed every day

Managing Stress

Recognizing when your teen is stressed out◦ Chronic moodiness, irritability, anxiety

Positive Coping Strategies◦ Discussing pressures, exercising, writing in a

journal

Helping your child reduce stress◦ Provide support, brainstorm solutions, be

organized, exercise, sleep, and eat regularly

Managing Stress

Where does the time go?

Backward Planning: start with the end in mind, how will you get there?

Prioritizing your activities◦ Important and urgent vs. Important but not urgent

Balance and moderation Calendars

Time Management

SLEEP Consider when the assignment is DUE

rather than when the assignment is assigned.

Get concrete tasks done first – math, science – so you can cross them off the list

Limit time wasted on the internet Don’t procrastinate in the block schedule. If

possible, do the assignment the day it is assigned so you can ask questions if you have any.

Tips from a successful student

How many of your children read in bed?

Academic Reading vs. Pleasure Reading When reading for

school, it is very important that students do not read in bed. They are less likely to retain information if they are lying down or too comfortable.

We want the students to interact with the text.

When reading for school, they should be sitting at a table or desk, in a well-lit area, free of distractions.

Most brain research says that music, even soft music, is distracting.

Reading is active, not passive

The Ideal For best results,

students should be taking notes while they read.

◦ Defining key terms◦ Tracing characters◦ Asking questions◦ Predicting outcomes◦ Outlining major events

For writing and grammar concerns:◦ Purdue Online Writing Lab -

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/This site has a wealth of information including:

MLA/APA citation instructions, explanation of grammar rules, and style guides.

Resources for Students