The Scholar Program is a very unique program, in that you only have classes one day a week. That means that you have much less accountability than most students do to get your homework done. One great thing about homeschooling is that you can learn to self-study. The Scholar Program helps you with this by giving you plenty of time at home to be studying.
Self-study is a great skill to master, as it helps you become a life-long learner long after formal school is done. It takes self-discipline to self-study.
Good students are motivated for many different reasons. Some want to get good grades. Others want to please their parents, or don't want to let them down. Some may just want to get into college. And others just study because it's what is expected. However, the best students are those who learn to study because they love to learn and they've learned to study the things they know they need to in order to become the best they can become. They do it because they know they are the only ones that can give themselves an education.
What type of student are you? If you study for reasons other than for yourself, examine your motives. Believe in yourself and that you are meant to be the best that you can be. And remember, the more you study, the better you get at it. Soon you won't hate some of the subjects you used to think were boring.
It is certainly easier to have teachers telling you exactly what to do and when to turn it in. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's just that many people stop learning once they don't have anyone to tell them what to do anymore. That is why it's important to learn the skill of self-study.
It very helpful to have a parent (or other mentor) to help guide you and hold you accountable for doing the work you committed to do, but you're the one that has to put in the work. It's your education, make it worth it!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
HANDWRITING
How important is handwriting on tests? If you are asking the question, then it's probably more important than you'd like it to be.
You do have to hand write the free response questions, so it is helpful to be able to write quickly (allowing you to concentrate more on your answer rather than your handwriting.)
It is also important to have legible handwriting, so the test scorers can read your awesome answers rather than spend their time deciphering it.
This may or may not be true, but I read once that there was an experiment done on test essays. The experimenter got a bunch of essays and had the test scorers stand back so that they couldn't read the essays, but could still see the general handwriting and length of the essay. Then the test scorers gave the essays a grade just by looking at it from a distance. Next, the same essays were read and scored. It was found that both methods gave very similar grades! (Meaning the same essay may have gotten a 5 when just looked at and a 5 when it was read.)
Whether or not the story is actually true, neatness and speed in handwriting really do help on essay questions!
How can you improve your handwriting? Practice! Copywork is the time-tested way of improving. A simple way to improve your handwriting that also helps you study at the same time, is to copy your vocabulary words and definitions neatly onto flashcards. Use a marker or cool pen to make it less boring.
Tip: Do you write with your fingers?
Simple Tip For Improving Handwriting:
You do have to hand write the free response questions, so it is helpful to be able to write quickly (allowing you to concentrate more on your answer rather than your handwriting.)
It is also important to have legible handwriting, so the test scorers can read your awesome answers rather than spend their time deciphering it.
This may or may not be true, but I read once that there was an experiment done on test essays. The experimenter got a bunch of essays and had the test scorers stand back so that they couldn't read the essays, but could still see the general handwriting and length of the essay. Then the test scorers gave the essays a grade just by looking at it from a distance. Next, the same essays were read and scored. It was found that both methods gave very similar grades! (Meaning the same essay may have gotten a 5 when just looked at and a 5 when it was read.)
Whether or not the story is actually true, neatness and speed in handwriting really do help on essay questions!
How can you improve your handwriting? Practice! Copywork is the time-tested way of improving. A simple way to improve your handwriting that also helps you study at the same time, is to copy your vocabulary words and definitions neatly onto flashcards. Use a marker or cool pen to make it less boring.
Tip: Do you write with your fingers?
Simple Tip For Improving Handwriting:
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
AP Biology - test prep Chart
Here is the chart which coordinates the AP Biology class units with the Kaplan and Princeton Review test prep chapters.
Also is a monthly schedule on what you should be doing to prep for the test.
Also is a monthly schedule on what you should be doing to prep for the test.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
How to write GREAT study notes
How to write study notes!
Why should you make study notes?
*Best way to retain info. When you write it down, it sticks to your brain. You will remember much more than you do just by reading. You can also make connections when writing things down. Then when you review your notes, your retention increases even more. Definitely need to review your notes to remember things for a test.
TIP 1: Write it in your OWN words.
If you just copy it, you won’t remember it very well. Writing it in your own words shows that you understand it. Write it as though you are explaining it to someone else.
Needed to remember for tests.
TIP 2: Write in an organized manner
Connect ideas, or use an outline method with headings & subheadings.
Study notes work best when they’re written in an organised manner.
TIP 3: Make your notes visual
Use colors, diagrams, pictures, bold, underlines, etc to remember important points.
TIP 4: Keep all your notes for 1 subject in 1 place.
Use one notebook or binder per subject. Scraps of paper are not effective.
TIP 5: Don’t worry about complete sentences
You can use complete sentences, but you don’t have to. You can use abbreviations. Your notes just need to make sense to you and have your own style.
TIP 6: Condense it
Re-write the concepts you find difficult, and important concepts that are sure to appear in an exam. Try writing everything you need to know on just one page of study notes.
TIP 7: Make Connections
Make connections using metaphors, visualization, etc in your notes first time you write them down if you can, but if you can’t add them when you re-write.
TIP 8: Re-read Your Study Notes
If you’ve made good study notes throughout the year, a great way to study for the test is to review your study notes.
Why should you make study notes?
*Best way to retain info. When you write it down, it sticks to your brain. You will remember much more than you do just by reading. You can also make connections when writing things down. Then when you review your notes, your retention increases even more. Definitely need to review your notes to remember things for a test.
TIP 1: Write it in your OWN words.
If you just copy it, you won’t remember it very well. Writing it in your own words shows that you understand it. Write it as though you are explaining it to someone else.
Needed to remember for tests.
TIP 2: Write in an organized manner
Connect ideas, or use an outline method with headings & subheadings.
Study notes work best when they’re written in an organised manner.
TIP 3: Make your notes visual
Use colors, diagrams, pictures, bold, underlines, etc to remember important points.
TIP 4: Keep all your notes for 1 subject in 1 place.
Use one notebook or binder per subject. Scraps of paper are not effective.
TIP 5: Don’t worry about complete sentences
You can use complete sentences, but you don’t have to. You can use abbreviations. Your notes just need to make sense to you and have your own style.
TIP 6: Condense it
Re-write the concepts you find difficult, and important concepts that are sure to appear in an exam. Try writing everything you need to know on just one page of study notes.
TIP 7: Make Connections
Make connections using metaphors, visualization, etc in your notes first time you write them down if you can, but if you can’t add them when you re-write.
TIP 8: Re-read Your Study Notes
If you’ve made good study notes throughout the year, a great way to study for the test is to review your study notes.
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