ST. CATHERINE SCHOOL STUDY SKILLS CLASSES PROVIDE LESSONS FOR LIFE

ST. CATHERINE SCHOOL STUDY SKILLS CLASSES PROVIDE
LESSONS FOR LIFE

New Year’s Resolutions, Time Management Strategies, Presentation Skills, Test Preparation…What do all of these terms have in common? They are part of a formalized Study Skills Curriculum being taught in Saint Catherine of Siena School’s Middle School to all of their Grade 6-8 students.

Mrs. Beth Standring, who is an English and Ancient Civilization teacher and Learning Resource Specialist at St. Catherine School, has designed a course significantly geared to building students’ study skills.

This year all middle school students are participating in this program to insure their long-term academic success. Strategies for studying and test preparation through key vocabulary terms and using graphs and pictures to understand and remember new information are also taught in a systematic way. Skills are taught and implemented using actual assignments and curriculum required of the students in their classes. By relating it their actual assignments, St. Catherine School students are seeing the importance of these key skills. Through identification of their own unique learning styles, students are learning to coordinate their after-school schedules and better organize their time, prioritize their homework assignments and plan their own schedules.

Time management and organizational skills support test preparation and research projects. During parent/teacher conferences, Mrs. Standring was amazed at how many parents came to her to ask her more about what she is doing and indicated the favorable results they are seeing in their children’s study habits at home in addition to their improved test scores.

As the new calendar year started, Mrs. Standring is working with students on goal setting. Each student is creating New Year’s resolutions with attainable goals called “SMART” Goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timebound). For example, if students want to become better at math, they figure out a measurable goal. Then they determine steps they must take to reach the goal. Estimating how long it takes and setting realistic deadlines follow. With these goals formulated, students in Grades 6-8 will be well on their way to improving academically.

Students in 8th grade are currently practicing their presentation and public speaking skills– something reinforced through student-led morning prayer or as ambassadors for the school. Public speaking skills are key to confidence-building during the high school interview process, job seeking and throughout their academic careers.

Students in every grade must complete a science project. In Study Skills, students will have the opportunity to work on this complex assignment and receive assistance in breaking down the project into manageable steps, conducting thoughtful research and preparing the written documentation.

Where does Mrs. Standring see this program in future years? This program utilizes real assignments that are tied to the curriculum and classroom activities that develop confidence and increase academic success. Who doesn’t need better essay writing skills or practical resources for taking tests? Who wouldn’t feel better if they had a schedule for finishing up an important research paper or science fair project? These are some of the outcomes teachers are beginning to see with their students as they early watch the program grow and develop.

As middle school students juggle school work, outside activities and family life, this course in Study Skills paves the way for bright futures in the classroom and in life. Success is the key outcome. The Study Skills curriculum is another clear example of how Saint Catherine of Siena School works toward creating successful and responsible students.