1. Memorize Vocabulary: At the beginning of the unit, students should memorize the vocabulary terms.

Knowing the vocabulary will make the lectures, demos, videos, activities, and labs understandable & meaningful.

Memorizing vocabulary does not mean just looking at flashcards or 2 column study guides.

Most Students need to use Visual-Tactile learning style strategies to process and put into long term-memory. This means writing down a definition or concept numerous times.

Remember the rule of 7 +/- 2 : the brain can only process an average of 7 items at a time. Therefore, learn 5-7 vocab terms at one time. Then learn 5 more terms-writing them down over and over. Then review the past 10 terms before learning 5 more.

When you have memorized the terms, then use the flash cards or 2 column study guide to review them periodically.

2. Complete Homework Assignments: correct the homework when it is gone over in class.

Each night you should complete new homework assignments as well as review/redo previous homework assignments.

Make a question mark in a circle by the review questions, textbook readings, notes that you do not understand. Ask the teacher for help the following day.

Put an x over the circled question mark when the teacher has explained it to you.

When you go to review these during test prep, the circled question mark with an x across it will indicate that you did not understand that question before and you need to pay close attention to it. Once again seek help if you still do not fully understand the concept.

3. Nightly 2 Hour Study Sessions: you need to do more than just completing homework. You should-

memorize/review vocabulary: make 2 column study guides or flashcards (can use these for semester exam prep too)

review notes: rewriting them creating synthesized study guides of related content

redo textbook, workbook, or worksheet questions & problems (actually writing down your answers & checking them for accuracy or creating a new study guide or flashcards from the textbook questions/answers.)

review all videos, applets, simulated labs, websites discussed during class

If you still do not understand any concepts: consult the additional Physics Classroom Tutorial websites linked on the unit's website. In addition view the additional videos, simulated labs, applets to help further understanding of concepts.

4. Missed any school ? Check Notebook and Folder: look at dates, make sure you are not missing any notes or worksheets. If you missed a day of school or left school for an apppointment and missed a couple classes: don't forget to get the notes, handouts, homework etc the following day. See a peer's typed notes to determine what was highlighted or completed. If you determine that you are still missing anything, get a copy from a peer, Mrs. Peck's website, or directly from the teacher

5. Time Management & Using a Planner: record test dates on weekly and monthly calendar.

If test or an assignment/paper/project due date is on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wed: then you need to write "study for test/finish project" on the previous Friday: so you remember to take home your stuff over the weekend.

Record extracurricular, family, social obligations in planner: for these may interfere with you being able to complete assignments or study for tests that fall on the following day or week. athletic games, meets, rehearsals, recitals, dances, visiting family, religous meetings: youth group, confirmation prep, birthdays: for you may go out to dinner and not get back home until late in the evening....

If you have an obligation the day before a test/project due date: you must set aside time well in advance to prepare.

Use colored highlighters to make tests or paper/project due dates stand out.

6. Actual Test Preparation: begin well in advance, not the night before the test.

Make sure you are able to correctly redo all of the unit's homework assignments. Consult your planner. Check Mrs. Pecks' Homework webpage.

Make sure you are able to correctly answer all textbook questions (yellow and chapter review).

Review notes and study guides or flashcards you created from your notes/textbook

Review all handouts (accessible via my website): make sure you are able to correctly complete all of them

Review all website/applet/videos actually discussed or covered in class

Review all vocabulary terms

If you still do not understand any concepts: consult the additional Physics Classroom Tutorial websites linked on the unit's website. In addition view the additional videos, simulated labs, applets to help further understanding of concepts.

Ask a peer or the teacher for clarification of any of the above.

7. See the teacher for extra help (not the day of the test)

8. Semester Exam Prep: do not throw away any material after a chapter or unit test.

Determine if the semester exam is cumulative (does it include all content covered throughout 1 or 2 semesters?)

Notebook or Folder too full? Keep a folder (s) or box at home for each course. When a unit is completed: put all materials including loose handouts, notes, worksheets, flashcards, study guides etc. in order in the folder or box.

Begin to prepare well in advance. Review the oldest material first. Review one unit at a time (not all at once).

For each unit: use all of the synthesized study guides, 2 column study guides, and flashcards that you have already prepared throughout the semester to study.

Determine if you are missing any notes or handouts and get copies from a peer, the teacher, or the teacher's website 3 weeks before exams. (student's will not be willing to lend out their notebooksduring the week or weekend before semester exams)