Mastering Mathematics How to Study For a Math Class Stacy Levy

Andra Metz

Math Department Chair [email protected]

Alpha Team Leader [email protected]

Pyle Middle School Study Strategies for Success

Objectives

 Daily Approach to Success  

In the Classroom At your Home

 Studying for an Assessment    

In the Classroom Practice Problems Online Resources Summative Exams and Final Exams

 Additional Resources     

Getting Organized (yellow handout) Math Test Taking Tips (green handout) Problem Solving Strategies (blue handout)

How to Access Online Math Textbooks and Resources (pink handout) Additional Online Math Resources (back of blue handout)

Just a note... Many strategies will be discussed this evening. You don’t need to use every strategy for each test. Try each strategy and decide what works best for YOU.

Daily study habits in the math classroom

How To Take Good Math Notes • Be attentive and engaged. • Keep it simple. • Be organized. Number all items presented in a list or a time order. Mark items that you do not understand in a teacher color grading pen or in the margins so that you can look them up or ask questions about them later.

• Use discussions, questions, and answers. Ask questions!!! • Annotate your (home) work and correct all errors in a teacher

color grading pen.

This will help you know what to go back to study later on.

• Communicate Clearly.

• Look for another way.

Notable Notes – During Class Notes should contain the most important pieces of information that you should know about a topic. Important vocabulary Great examples Real world applications and connections Diagrams Graphic Organizers

Good Math Notes On Board

It's hard to remember everything covered in class, so copy all notes written on the board. If an example is worked out in detail, try to Include in your notes the comments your teacher makes.

 On test!

Ask at TAG

Tips

Listen as actively as possible to explanations and include in your notes any comments that might be helpful to you later.

Home Study Habits

Notable Notes – After Class Review your notes after each class

Read through your notes and clean up anything you need to clarify. Highlight any vocabulary words you feel you need to review. Go over any examples that were given to make sure you can follow each step. Rework the Problems!

Your book

Getting to Know Your Book •Use the table of contents •In some of our books, each chapter begins with a review of prerequisite skills •The odd (or even) answers are in the back of the book. •At the end of every chapter is a •Study Guide •Chapter Review •Chapter Practice Test •Chapter Standardized Tests

Reading Mathematics Materials

Mathematics materials require a different kind of reading than you're used to in other subjects.

Using Your Textbook Look in the margins The textbook has a number of useful tools...just look in the margins! •There are study hints in the margin •There are references to examples that match the problems in the margin •There are references as to where to find extra practice problems in the margin •So, where do you look?

IN THE MARGINS!

Using Your Textbook Every lesson stars with a few pages of reading and examples.

Using Your Textbook

Doing Homework Try (at least some of) your homework the night it is assigned. That way, if you run into any trouble you can see your teacher to get help with it BEFORE it is due.

Doing Homework If you get stuck, look at examples in your Class notes In the textbook just before the HW problems Online using websites

Using Your Teacher as a Resource See your teacher during tag if you run into questions while studying or if you’d like some extra practice problems. Make sure your teacher is aware that you’ll be coming by getting a pass during interact or before first period.

Email your teacher through Edline if you have a question about what you’re studying while you’re at home.

Preparing for a math quiz, test exam or another assessment

Know the Rules! Even before you begin studying for a test, you should find out the “rules” of the test and what the test will cover. • • • •

When is the test? How long is the test? What material will be on the test? Is this test reassessable? What will the test questions be like? Do all the questions count equally? Is there partial credit for short-answer items. Are you penalized for guessing a wrong answer? • Is your textbook, handbook, notes, or a formula sheet allowed? Is a calculator allowed?

Math is Like a Sport Looking over your notes is important but because you’ll have to do math on a math test, the best way to study is to also do the math!

Remember, the best way to get better at a sport is to not only read through and study the plays but to also practice the plays!

Do the Math Where to find practice problems 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Retake old quizzes Create a quiz Make a study sheet Use online and/or textbook resources Teach someone else Use your teacher as a resource

Retake Old Quizzes If you have any quizzes, exit cards, warm-ups that cover the material you’ll be tested on, cover the answers with post-it notes and retry the problems. Rework the problems you missed the first time. This will allow you to see what problems you are still struggling with.

What about the problems

you’re still struggling with If you retake one of your quizzes and find that you’re making the same mistakes… • Go to see your teacher during tag for some extra practice problems. • Look back at your notes or in your textbook for more examples like the problems you’re struggling with. • Look on line for references on that topic • Ask a study buddy to work through the problem with you

Study Early (and Often) Keep in mind that for any math test, you should start preparing as soon a test is announced! •Studying a little each night allows you to try different learning strategies and keeps reviewing from becoming overwhelming or tedious. •Starting to prepare in advance also allows you to see your teacher as soon as you realize you need help (and gives you time to check back in with them if necessary).

Getting Organized to Study Organize your

Time Space Materials

For more tips check out

The Fundamentals of Studying!

Math Assessment Specific Materials Did you receive a study guide in class? Do you have your text book with you? Do you have class or book notes? Do you have all of your quizzes and retakes? Do you have your corrected homework assignments? Do you have access to a computer?

Using the Online Resources at www.glencoe.com (no password needed to access these!) Self-check quizzes Extra examples Brain Pops Vocabulary Review Parent and Student Resources Chapter Tests

Using the Online Resources

Using the Online Resources

Using the Online Resources

Using the Online Resources

Using the Online Resources

Using the Online Resources

Using the Online Resources

Make sure you have scratch paper and a pencil ready to help you do the math!

Using the Online Resources

Using the Online Resources

Which Textbooks Are Online?

IM (Pre-Algebra 2008 edition) Algebra Prep (Pre-Algebra 2003 edition) Algebra 1 2003 edition

Final Exams Save your materials from each unit in a safe place so you have it to help you prepare for summative or semester exams!

Extra Resources

Great Source Student Handbooks

Math to Learn Math to Know Math at Hand Math on Call grades 1-2 grades 3-4 grades 5-6 grades 6-8

Algebra to Go Geometry to Go Content specific for that course

Great Source Parent Resource Books Math on Call (6-8) Parent Guide: The Math on Call Parent Guide helps parents by covering key topics including: creating a good learning environment making the most of homework helping students prepare for tests bringing math into every day life thinking about why your child might be struggling

Thank you for coming! Take the stress out of studying… make a plan and make it fun!

Please contact me with any questions [email protected] [email protected]