Study Strategies by Subject

Please note, these strategies are intended to be used as a guide, not as the only way to study a particular subject. The best way to study is using the information from the study guide your teacher has given you. The key is to do something with the information, not just stare at it and hope it jumps into your brain.

Math

  • Cover, Copy, Compare
  • Create a study card (important theorems, definitions, etc.)
  • Flow charts/sequence charts (Equation or Problem-Solving Steps)
  • Create songs or jingles (memorizing formulas)-

Example: or

  • Mnemonics-Example: Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally=Parenthesis, Exponents Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction
  • Relate the concept to a real-life example or situation(word problems)
  • Practice interpreting word problems. Practice translating the problems word by word (e.g. put a + OVER the word “sum”) rather than looking at the whole problem at once.
  • Definitions are very important, especially in geometry. Create flashcards and use flashcard strategies to study them.

Related Websites

Geometry Study Site: Includes practice exams, vocabulary and theorems, study/formula sheets, and mini-lessons by topic.

Basic Algebra Review: listed by topic with practice “worksheets” where you can enter your answer and have it checked!

Superb videos explaining key elements of math subjects including algebra,

geometry, prealgebra, and more. Just click the learn menu in the top left.

Biology

  • Create a concept of definition map for complicated concepts
  • Picture notes
  • Vocabulary flashcards online/by hand (premade on textbook website)
  • Practice quizzes (online textbook)
  • Create the foldable study guides from the textbook (1 included per chapter) as you reread and study the chapter.

Related Websites

Glencoe’s Biology site has self-quizzes, online labs, and standardized test practice. (Zebra book).

McDougal’s Biology site has section quizzes, virtual labs, interactive review (with vocabulary games), and more.

Biology flashcards

Chemistry

  • ABC Brainstorm-think of something to study for chemistry that starts with each letter of the alphabet. Example: A is for atom. Be is for Bohr models… etc. Then study those things! This can be used for a single concept as well.
  • Cover, Copy, Compare.
  • Again, vocabulary flashcards of any kind.
  • Foldable study guides from Glencoe Chemistry book (even if it isn’t your textbook, these are still very helpful). Use the table of contents to determine if which subjects/chapters relate.

Global Cultures & World History

  • Create two-column notes (Main ideas/details or Cornell notes)
  • Cause/Effect flowchart for sequencing
  • Venn diagram for compare/contrast questions or similar topics (for example, Christianity and Buddhism)
  • Create a song or jingle (memorizing dates or facts)
  • Use acronyms to remember ideas or topics that go together (geography especially) Example: HOMES: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior=5 great lakes
  • Create a History Frame (for major events)
  • Somebody…wanted…but…so…
  • One sentence summary (per heading in chapter of text)

this link to log in to your World History book online. Be sure to get the code from your teacher!

Written & Oral Communication & World Literature

  • Categorize flashcards in several different ways
  • Quiz yourself or a friend using flashcards (online or by hand)
  • Practice ACT readings (from any ACT prep book, or through the ACT site online)
  • Somebody…wanted…but…so… (to remember plots and characters)
  • Be sure to turn in all parts of your final exam essay and speech. These equal a huge chunk of your final grade.

Online/printable flashcards-

Use this link to log in to your World Literature book online. Be sure to get the code from your teacher!

Health

  • Use KWLs for each unit. Complete any you haven’t already. Make corrections to incorrect answers on KWLs
  • Past tests and test corrections can be very useful. Both your regular and final exams are cut from the same cloth.
  • ABC Brainstorm-think of something to study that starts with each letter of the alphabet. Then study those things! This can be used for a single concept as well.
  • Turn the headings for the chapter into questions, and then read the chapter to answer those questions.
  • Use the chapter objectives to create self-quizzes.

Physical Education

  • Click on your class in the organizer to view study guides.

Driver’s Education

  • Use the online review center at

World Languages

  • Practice your speaking piece or general speaking for the oral portion of the final.
  • Vocab, vocab, vocab. Use flashcards! Make groups of words. Color code when possible.
  • Know which verbs will need to be conjugated and how to conjugate them!