1. A Crow, exhausted and dying of thirst, came upon a pitcher with water in the bottom; but when the Crow put its beak into the mouth of the pitcher, he found that, no matter how hard he tried, he could not reach far enough to drink. He tried for five minutes, almost giving up in despair. But, continuing to think of other options, a creative thought came to him. He took a pebble and dropped it into the pitcher. He repeated the process, dropping in one pebble after another. At last, he saw the water level rising, and after casting in a few more pebbles, he was able to quench his thirst and save his life. As we explore the meaning of this parable, students identify the importance of changing strategies when what they are doing isn’t working. As the semester progresses and a student is getting frustrated by lack of success, someone may remind her to try something different, but the words are, “Find some pebbles!” THE CROW AND THE PITCHER
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3. Test-Taking Exercise Create a 10 question test for Chapters 1 and 2 2-True-false 2-matching 2-fill-in-the-blank 2-multiple choice 2-short answer or essay questions
10. Note Card Subject of Idea # (order of card) Read a Paragraph or two, then summarize in your own words in a sentence or two. If you can’t summarize you must “quote” and put the exact page number. At the bottom of the card put down the reference. (APA Style) Cruton, R. (1996). The eclipse of listening. The New Criterion, 15 (30). 5-13
11. Avoid Plagiarism Use quotation marks and credit the source when you copy exact wording Use your own words- paraphrase instead of copying—when possible Give credit for words and ideas that aren’t your own, even if you paraphrase.
14. Outline Introduction: Thesis Statement I. Topic A. Sub-topic 1. Details 2. Details a. More Details b. More Details i. Further explanation ii. Further explanation B. Sub-topic II. Topic A. Sub-topic 1. Details 2. Details a. More Details b. More Details i. Further explanation ii. Further explanation B. Sub-topic III. Topic A. Sub-topic 1. Details 2. Details a. More Details b. More Details Conclusion:
15. What technique or study strategy have you used this year that has helped you be successful this year? What campus resources has been the most helpful this year? What new techniques and strategies would help you have a successful remaining semester?
16. Why Take Notes?•Note-taking keeps a student involved in the lecture•Notes are a means of external information storage•Info in lectures often signals what will be tested in exams•Notes are a multi-sensory activity (visual, aural, kinetic)
17. Know What is Important Listen for verbal cues: •Pausing •Repeating •Slowing lecture •Speaking louder or more softly •Changing tone and inflection •Professor stating importance
18. Know What is Important Look for non-verbal cues: •Writing on board •Making eye contact •Using dramatic gestures
19. Short-hand method: Abbreviate or write out part of the word so that you can keep up with the rest of the lecture. Some teachers speak really fast and catching every word is nearly impossible. If you shorten words or abbreviate, it will be easier to write down an entire point.Fragments: Writing the entire sentence is just as bad as writing one word the teacher says. Instead, just write a fragment of a sentence with the major point included.
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21. Visuals: If you have extra time in between notes, draw out a point so that you have a visual aid to help you remember.
22. Practice listening: Try to train your ears to listen to the professor as much as possible so that the words flow out of your pen. You can always go back to read your notes, so don’t worry about reading it while you write.
23. Stay organized: Use bullets, numbers, or letters to organize your notes so that they are not all over the place. Title your notes, put dates and subtitles for different sections. Being organized is easy when the professor gives organized lectures. Some professors just speak without clear organization; therefore, organizing your own notes will help.
25. During Reading Read for answers to the questions from the headings you came up with Read in Chunks Concentrate on reading faster Read for main ideas and support details and highlight them Take notes Recite what you just read Look up key words that are new to you
26. After Reading Reread anything that was difficult Review your notes and what you highlighted Answer end of the chapter questions Read other resources on the subject (articles and websites) Make a class study group to quiz each other Discuss or teach others what you learned Seek help if you have difficulty understanding Review over time (note cards you can take with you anywhere)
27. How to Read Textbooks Use the SQR3 method of reading to be an active and effective reader. The passive reader learns little. The aggressive reader organizes information and answers questions. SQR3: survey, question, read, recite, review.
35. Set a time limit for working. Include breaks and rewards.(Personally I always wrote down the end of chapter questions and answered them as I read)
36. Question. Create and answer questions.For each section in the chapter, ask these 4 basic questions: 1. What is the main point? 2. What evidence supports the main point? 3. What are the applications or examples? 4. How is this related to the rest of the chapter, the book, the world, to me?
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38. Turn boldface headings and subheadings into as many questions as you think will be answered in the section you are reading.
39. Turning headings into questions directs your reading so that you can find the details and examples that support major points.
40. As you read each section carefully, try to find the answers to questions you formed from the headings.
43. Always read through the section again, especially if it seems particularly technical or complex. Be sure to underline main ideas and/or key thoughts.
44. Make notes in the margins to create your own organization
45. Writing down the author's ideas in your own words also aids your recall.
49. If you have trouble doing this, then you probably have not understood the section and you need to reread it. Don't move on to the next section until you can recite.
52. Repeat SQR3 for each section; mini-survey, question, read, recite and review. When finished, create a one page hierarchical summary of the entire chapter.
53. Go back over all the questions from all the headings, and see if you can still answer them. If not, refresh your memory and continue.
54. Now do any homework assignments. Use your summary first, then the text.
