Study Smart:History Study Tips

Studying History-the Sport of Curiosity

I like history because you learn how to be a detective. By looking to see why people did things, you find out why things are the way they are. It makes me wonder what will happen next? --Lauren.b, 8th grade

The Scene of the Crime...

• Look at the overview and index first. Read the introduction.
  
  
• Every history book has a point to make. The introduction has clues about what the point is.
  
  
• Pretend your history book is like a mystery novel. Who are the main characters in this week's chapter?
  
  
• What do they want?
  
  
• Why do they want it?
  
  
• Who stands against them?
  
  
• What do the heroes have to change to get what they want?
  
  
• Do they get it?
  
  
• What stops them?
  
  
• Have a pen and paper and get ready to survey your reading.
  
  

Bored By the Past? Try This!

People who lived long ago were a lot like the kids in your class. Some of them wanted to change their world for the better. Some wanted to keep everything the way it was. Others just wanted to have a place to live, food to eat and a good time. When you look back into the past, ask yourself these questions...

• What was life like for a kid my age?
  
  
• What problems did they want to solve?
  
  
• Were there homeless people? A drug problem? Did people make laws to try to control teen behavior?
  
  
• How did kids get together to goof off?
  
  
• How did kids rebel?
  
  
• Pick a problem or a topic, like teens and the law.
  
  
• Find out all you can about that problem or topic.
  
  
• Read books. Go on-line.
  
  
• Find out what solutions the people long ago tried.
  
  
• Did their solutions work?
  
  

• Find out who the heroes, heroines and bad guys were.
  
  
• How did they spread the word or communicate without TV or radio?
  
  
• What plans did they make? How did they make things happen?
  
  
• What did they do to hang in there when things went wrong?
  
  

Finding the Clues When You Read

• Scan. Glance over the whole chapter.
  
  
• Read it, but read it fast.
  
  
• Ask yourself: why did the writer write this? What is this chapter about?
  
  
• Don't worry about little facts. Get the big idea first.
  
  
• Is the writer for something? Against it? What's their complaint?
  
  
• If you see something you don't get, like a new word, put a pencil check in the margin next to it.
  
  
• Don't stop reading.
  
  
• Whatever you do, keep reading all the way to the end.
  
  
• Now, pretend you're answering this question - what's the point? What happened here that is important? Why is it important?
  
  
• All writing starts with a main idea. What's the writer trying to say?
  
  
• Write down the writer's main point on your paper.
  
  
• Don't go on until you get what they were trying to say.
  
  
• Still don't get it? Look at the first sentence of every paragraph for clues.
  
  
• Hint: A writer often makes a statement, then uses the rest of the chapter to prove the point.
  
  
• Still lost? Look at the headline or title of the chapter. That may help.
  
  
• If you can't find it, ask for help.
  
  
• Ask how that person knew what the main point of this chapter was about.
  
  
• Make them show you by pointing out the clues.
  
  

Step Two: Catch What You Missed

• Go back to your check marks.
  
  
• Look up any words you didn't know in a dictionary.
  
  
• Write down what they mean.
  
  
• Now go back and re-read those sentences.
  
  
• Do they make more sense?
  
  

Step Three: Be a Detective

• Now, read through the chapter slowly.
  
  
• Can you spot the introduction?
  
  
• That's the place where the writer first makes the point about what happened that was important.
  
  
• Circle the introduction with a pencil.
  
  
• Check the next couple of paragraphs.
  
  
• Look for what facts the writer gives out to prove the point.
  
  
• Circle those facts.
  
  
• Next, look at the last paragraph.
  
  
• Lots of times, writers make their point again and sum it all up at the end.
  
  
• Check to see if this is the same point you wrote down on your paper?
  
  
• If you got the point the first time, that's great!
  
  
• If you wrote down something very different... Make changes to what you wrote if you have to, or rethink your idea of what it's about.
  
  

Step Four: Your Turn to Decide

• Now ask yourself: why did the writer write this article?
  
  
• Do you agree with what the writer said?
  
  
• Or do you disagree?
  
  
• Writing is a lot like an argument. The writer is trying to prove something with facts.
  
  
• Did they prove anything to you?
  
  
• What facts made you agree or disagree with the writer's point?
  
  

Before Class Starts

• Scan over what you read the day before.
  
  
• Look ahead at the chapter that is next. Get an idea of what the new topic is.
  
  
• If your teacher hands out a syllabus (class schedule), glance at it to see where this info fits in.
  
  
• Daydream for a moment. Do you already know something about this topic? What do you know?
  
  
• Look at the chapter headings, charts and pictures.
  
  
• Get a picture in your mind of what the new chapter is all about.
  
  
• Write down any terms you don't understand.
  
  
• Find out their definitions. Or, ask the teacher if you don't understand something.
  
  
• Pay close attention to anything in bold or italics. The author is trying to get your attention.
  
  
• Dig through the diagrams and charts. Try to get what point they are making.
  
  
• Don't skip any diagrams, charts or illustrations. They usually point out an important fact, event or historical figures you'll need.
  
  
• To remember more, close your eyes and see if you can picture the chart in your mind. That will help you remember the information.
  
  
• Write down any facts, dates, or ideas your teacher put on the board. You'll need to know these for the test!
  
  
• If your teacher gives you essay questions to think about, try them out. To find the answers, look back over your notes.
  
  
• Ask yourself: which historical figures or ideas, dates or events were covered in class? Will any of them help me write this essay?
  
  
• Make up your own practice tests from your notes.
  
  
• If you get lost, don't wait. Immediately ask your teacher for help!

Homework Help

• Schedule time to look over your class notes every day.
  
  
• Make notes on any new events, facts, historical figures or information you just learned.
  
  
• Read over any new chapters or material.
  
  
• Plan to take a ten minute break for every hour of study.
  
  
• Stop if you feel overwhelmed. Give yourself time.
  
  
• Getting lost or bored? Talk to yourself! -- No kidding...stop at the end of each paragraph to say out loud what it was about.
  
  
• Use your reading to fill in any important facts missing from your class notes.
  
  
• Don't highlight or underline bunches of text. Not everything is of major importance.
  
  
• Redraw the diagrams and charts yourself. That helps you remember them.
  
  
• Stop and review your class notes at least once a week.
  
  

Start a History Study Group

• Put together a study group. Make friends with people who seem to really like history.
  
  
• Get together once a week for a History-pizza party.
  
  
• Watch a video together that covers the time you are studying.
  
  
• Try a recipe from that period. Or do a craft from that time.
  
  
• Make history come alive by acting out a play - recreate a historical scene you just read about.
  
  
• Borrow (age-appropriate) historical fiction from the library.
  
  
• Get some of those cool history kits - like making papyrus, or excavating a dig, or a 3D castle jigsaw puzzle. Ask an adult to supervise, and then try making the craft from the kit.
  
  
• If you have a question, ask!
  
  
• Go over your notes as a group. Do your homework together. Then reward yourself with a pizza party!
  
  
• Make flashcards and play games to remember key historical figures and facts.
  
  
• Be sure to make everyone in the study group has a turn at the flashcards or answers a homework question.
  
  
• Cheer them on! (No slackers!)
  
  
• Don't forget to tell your teacher about your group. Ask for extra homework or reading or ideas on how you can make history come alive in your study group. Your teacher won't forget you when grade time comes around!