Education is not only about teachers teaching. Another major component of being successful at school is for students to become more effective at learning. Understanding how he/she learns, how to manage his/her study, and applying specific study techniques to enhance learning are very critical for success. Reading for comprehension, writing with conciseness, taking quality lesson notes, relating knowledge for understanding, and preparing and taking exams are some of the fundamental techniques that will help to improve a student's performance at school. The goal of How to Learn program is to help students become better at acquiring new knowledge, which will help them succeed in school and life.
Thus Thought's Pilot Project Denver, Colorado
How to Learn Program Overview
How to Learn Program Partnerships
For the How to Learn program, Thus Thought has partnered with two Denver based nonprofits:
Partnerships
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Organization |
Name |
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Phone |
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Mercy Housing |
Savina Treves |
303-321-5421 |
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Elizabeth Bogetveit |
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Donna Baiocco |
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Spring Institute |
Burna Dunn |
303-863-0188 |
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Gaye Horne |
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Thus Thought |
ShaTin Rai |
303-949-9573 |
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Patrick O’Fallon |
How to Learn Curriculum
Goal: To provide immigrant students the academic know-hows on performing better in their high school
Target Audience: Immigrant High School Aged Students
Number of Potential Students: 36 Students
Target Class Size: Select 8 Students who have relatively good English and leadership qualities
Course Duration: 7 weeks (three 30-45 minutes lessons per week)
Target Start Date: 25-Jan-2010 Target End Date: 15-Mar-2010
Time: MW(7:15-8:00 pm), F (6:15-7:00 pm), Saturday/Sunday (make up sessions)
Location: Community Room, Grace Apartments at 8888 E. 13th Ave, Denver, CO 80220
Thus Thought’s Course Material: Student Handbook
Student Materials (required):
- Hole puncher & ruler
- Binder
- Blank papers & pens
- Simple planner w/ calendar
- Student's school textbooks for various subjects
Program Overview
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Week # |
Main Objective |
Duration |
|
1. |
Understanding How You Learn |
3 lessons |
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2. |
Managing Your Study |
3 lessons |
|
3. |
Study Techniques (Part 1) |
3 lessons |
|
4 |
Study Techniques (Part 2) |
3 lessons |
|
5. |
Putting it All Together (Non-Technical Subjects) |
3 lessons |
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6. |
Putting it All Together (Technical Subjects) |
3 lessons |
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7. |
Exam Performance |
3 lessons |
Lesson Delivery Format (general structure)
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Sequence # |
Teaching Activity |
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1. |
Review Previous Lesson
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2. |
Brief Overview of New Lesson |
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3. |
Hands-on Activity
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4. |
Questions/Feedback/Extra Help |
Program Incentives, Evaluation & Continuation
|
Program |
Options |
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Incentives |
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Evaluation |
Feedback Survey
Lesson Audits & Evaluations
Progress Report
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Continuation |
Build capacity at Mercy Housing
Advisory/Support Role - Thus Thought Program Revision – after 6 months |
How to Learn - Lesson Details
Week 1 – Understanding How You Learn
|
Lesson 1 (30 minutes) |
Introduction |
- Background - Differences in the education system - What is effective learning? |
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Understanding Your Learning Environment |
- When? - Where? - How? |
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Lesson 2 (30 minutes) |
Understanding Your Learning Style |
- Multiple Intelligences (Visual, Verbal, Bodily, Logical, Musical, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal |
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Lesson 3 (45 minutes) |
Understanding Your Memory |
- Using Smaller Time Block - Connecting Related Knowledge - Regular Review - Practicing Output - Sleeping on it & Waking up on it |
|
Putting it All Together |
- Review |
Week 2 – Managing Your Study
|
Lesson 1 (30 minutes) |
Time Management |
- Calendaring Major Events - 5-Minutes a day |
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Lesson 2 (30 minutes) |
Preparing to Study |
5-Steps Process 1. Preparing to 2. Relaxing to 3. Pumping your 4. Sharpening 5. Activating your brain |
|
Lesson 3 (45 minutes) |
Putting it All Together |
- Review |
Week 3 – Study Techniques (Part 1 of 2)
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Lesson 1 (30 minutes) |
Types of Knowledge |
- Types of Knowledge
- Note taking formats based on knowledge types |
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Lesson 2 (30 minutes) |
Reading
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- 3-Step Process 1. Preview 2. Read 3. Review - Note taking |
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Lesson 3 (45 minutes) |
Listening |
- 3-Step Process 1. Preview 2. Active Listening 3. Review - Note taking |
|
Putting it All Together |
- Review |
Week 4 – Study Techniques (Part 2 of 2)
|
Lesson 1 (30 minutes) |
Writing |
- 4-Step Process 1. Explore ideas 2. Outline 3. Write 4. Revise - Note taking |
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Lesson 2 (30 minutes) |
Speaking |
- 2-Step Process 1. Organizing 2. Delivery - Note taking |
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Lesson 3 (45 minutes) |
Problem Solving |
- 3-Step Process 1. 3-Pass Problem Solving 2. Study Groups 3. Review Sample Problems - Note taking |
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Putting it All Together |
- Review |
Week 5 – Putting it All Together (Non-Technical Subjects)
|
Lesson 1 (30 minutes) |
Studying Non-Technical Subjects |
- Note taking - 5-Step Process (overview) 1. Cluster Notes into Groups 2. Build Memory Aids 3. Cover Sheet for Groupings 4. Review – Quiz/Recall 5. Eliminate Question Marks |
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Lesson 2 (30 minutes) |
Study to Learn |
5-Step Process 1. Cluster Notes into Groups 2. Build Memory Aids 3. Cover Sheet for Groupings 4. Review – Quiz/Recall 5. Eliminate Question Marks |
|
Lesson 3 (45 minutes) |
Putting it All Together |
- Review |
Week 6 – Putting it All Together (Technical Subjects)
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Lesson 1 (30 minutes) |
Studying Technical Subjects |
- Note taking - 5-Step Process (Overview) 1. Build Mega-Problem sets 2. Build Memory Aids 3. Cover Sheet for Problem sets 4. Review/Solve – Quiz/Recall 5. Eliminate Question Marks |
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Lesson 2 (30 minutes) |
Study to Learn |
- 5-Step Process 1. Build Mega-Problem sets 2. Build Memory Aids 3. Cover Sheet for Problem sets 4. Review/Solve – Quiz/Recall 5. Eliminate Question Marks |
|
Lesson 3 (45 minutes) |
Putting it All Together |
- Review |
Week 7 – Exam Performance
|
Lesson 1 (30 minutes) |
Exam Preparation |
- 3-Step Process 1. Size up the Exam 2. Organize 3. Self Test |
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Lesson 2 (30 minutes) |
Exam Taking |
- Before Exam - During Exam 1. Skim whole exam 2. Budget time 3. Answer Easy to Hard |
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Lesson 3 (45 minutes) |
Specific Exam Strategies |
- Specific exam strategies
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Putting it All Together |
- Review |