Study Smart:Brain Power!

The Math Study Survival List

Learn It!

• Learning math is exactly like learning a sport. Regular practice.
  
  
• Math has nothing to do with smarts and everything to do with practice.
  
  
• Do the homework, even if you don't have to turn it in.
  
  
• Read your math book very carefully. Don't try speed reading or skimming.
  
  
• Stop at a new concept. Write it down. Puzzle it out.
  
  
• Don't be surprised if you don't get a new concept after two or three readings. Hey, it's new!
  
  
• Schedule time to look over your class notes every day
  
  
• Make notes on any new concepts and formulas you just learned.
  
  
• Write down any concepts your teacher put on the board. You'll need to know these for the test!
  
  
• If your teacher gives you problems to solve, look back over your notes.
  
  
• Ask yourself: which concepts, rules or formulas were covered in class? Will any of them help solve this problem?
  
  
• Make up your own practice tests from your notes.
  
  
• If you get lost, don't wait. Immediately ask your teacher for help!
  
  

Start a Math-busters Study Group

• Put together a study group. Make friends with people who seem to really like the math.
  
  
• Get together once a week for a Math-pizza party. Do the problems together and then reward yourself with a pizza party!
  
  
• Make a game show out of the problems.
  
  
• Get a blackboard. Use an empty classroom if possible. Have each person in the group do a problem and explain how they worked it.
  
  
• If you don't think the person is doing it right, say something!
  
  
• If you have a question, ask!
  
  
• Make everyone in the study group do a problem. Cheer them on! (No slackers!)
  
  
• Don't forget to tell your teacher about your group. Ask for extra problems for your study group to do. Your teacher won't forget you when grade time comes around!
  
  

I remember in seventh grade, my pre-algebra teacher was TERRIBLE. he didn't teach very well at all. Most of the parents complained, but that doesn't really help the F's you get on quizzes. The best thing to do then is just take the book home and self teach yourself. I know it sounds like a pain, but either that or summer school. -- Liz.r

To be successful in math: Always check your paper. --Laura.h

Hey Girls and Gals! Need to go for homework help? For net users, and web surfers check out Dr. Marth or Ask Jeeves. Also, AOL members can get special help on homework. Go to Channels, then to Kids Only. Once there click on homework help. From there you can post a question on the teacher message boards, ask a live teacher volunteer a question, explore different things or look up something in the dictionary. Also for AOL members; want to look something up in the encylopedia? Simply go to the channel Research and Learn and click on either encyclopedia or dictionary. Don't have America Online? Simply go to our friend, Ask Jeeves and ask about web encyclopedias and dictionaries. He'll give you a handy list. Hope these tips give you some good ideas on how to be prepared and survive school!

Much friendship extended, Melody d.