/How_to_Study_Biology2

HOW TO STUDY FOR BIOLOGY 1 Shonda Majors and Jim Kelley 1. Be Prepared with Class Assignments—Responsibility is key to success and maturity • bring materials to class, including laptop • be prepared for a quiz every class period- Quizzes will not be announced o prepare by reviewing notes before school from previous class o read the textbook and reading assignments (see 2.)

• if written homework was assigned, have it done before you enter classroom o Homework not ready at beginning bell is an automatic zero; unprepared students may get 50% credit (F) if they submit completed work within 24 hours…this destroys your other hard-earned grades • study for tests a little each day: --“Cramming” limits your success! *** ASK QUESTIONS before the day it’s due!

2. Read the Text—An independent learner will be prepared for college • pay attention to headings o headings are the concise objective/main point of the passage • read for information, not just as you would a novel • stop at the end of each section and mentally process what you have read: o it is a good idea to write the main points and terminology for each section as flash cards or bullet-point notes in a PowerPoint: learn the vocabulary of a Biologist!  biology terms are not often common terms used in your everyday conversation; memorization is not enough- you need a “working” definition  it is helpful to read & summarize with a partner  you are not only explaining or summarizing in your own words, but you are also hearing someone else • pay attention to bold print words or phrases in the text o always answer the review questions found at the end of each section of the text and at the end of the chapter- These make excellent test questions- hint… hint.

• read all of the pictures and figures…publishers spend millions of dollars for images, so they will not waste that money on unimportant information! *** ASK QUESTIONS about what you do not understand from your own study.

3. Take Notes during Class—Note-taking is an important part of learning process  write only important or key details- be concise, do not try to write every word said o You MUST go back and REWRITE your notes before you sleep, or you will lose most of what you did not write down!  Develop your own short-hand—you will definitely use this in college!  if you are told “This would make a good test question” or “You’ll see this again” or if the question appears on a daily quiz- YOU WILL SEE IT ON THE TEST  if you have trouble keeping up--you write/type slowly—then compare notes with a friend during lunch and fill in your gaps  if you have a learning difference or physical injury in your writing hand, then you may be allowed to use a small recorder temporarily…each classroom policy may be different *** ASK QUESTIONS to clarify relationships or concepts during lecture Science Department 03-04

4. Make Connections with Your New Knowledge!  How does the concept “fit in” your life or affect YOU? Make it real!  Use memory tools such as acronyms to help trigger recall  schedule a time for tutoring if you do not understand  Labs reinforce/support what you are studying in the text- make the connection o If you don’t see the connection, ask others to explain it to you!  Organize your thoughts—mentally place what we are studying under the headings of the unifying themes of biology, or try to relate current study to previous sections *** ASK QUESTIONS when you don’t understand, come after school for help, or email teacher…your question is probably the same one that 3 other people are afraid to ask!!

5. Know Yourself—God has made you a unique student!

• We all learn differently, so concepts will be presented in a multitude of ways - hands-on: where you will use manipulatives, and/or labs - visual: using computer pictures, diagrams, charts, etc.

- auditory: where you listen to the teacher, to your partner, to yourself - some combination of the above?

YOU HAVE TO KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES - example: If you have to learn vocabulary-- what works for you? o visual= Flashcards: word on front/meaning on the back; PowerPoint slides; match cards; 2- column notebook paper (folded in half) o audio= read notes out loud; make a recording; having a partner quiz you o kinesthetic= Writing the word/meaning repeatedly; re-copying notes; ‘dance’ example: Note taking-- what works for you?

Outline form; Bullet point; Paragraph form; Highlight with different colors? *** ASK QUESTIONS and learn from others!

6. Prepare for the Test • DO NOT PULL AN “ALL-NIGHTER”!!

• Prepare along the way; you will have created PowerPoint’s and flashcards from your daily studies that have already prepared you…what a great resource to study!

• THINK DEEPLY-- Biology is much more than memorization/regurgitation of terms. You must have an understanding of the vocabulary, concepts, processes, structures and how they function together.

- For example; West Nile virus-- What is the effect or impact on you? On others? On the environment? * Focus on the Chapter Objectives listed- you should be able to explain/discuss each one * All labs support/reinforce what you are studying in the text, therefore they will be included on your exams on some level. *** ASK QUESTIONS days before the test, so you will understand it deeply on test day.

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7. THE TEST • is based on both lecture and assignments, covering the chapter objectives listed on your chapter agenda * If you are absent on the testing date, you will take a different version of the test when you return (often more essays), so don’t be absent for a test!

• include objective questions valued at 2 to 4 points each ALTHOUGH THESE QUESTIONS ARE OBJECTIVE, THEY WILL STILL REQUIRE YOU TO THINK- ANALYZE, SYNTHESIZE, EVALUATE - multiple choice (a, b, c, d, or e) - mix & match - fill in the blank—without word banks! you are in high school!!!

• also include essay or free response that can be valued anywhere from 5 to 25 points each - It is the quality of your response not the quantity of words; we are NOT impressed with blah-blah-blah… TELL US EVERYTHING YOU KNOW!!! Use correct terminology (vocabulary) in your responses!

• Note: the test will definitely include questions that have been on daily quizzes and questions that have been asked in class repeatedly • come to test review sessions held prior to the test • There is NO extra credit—if you fail an exam, it goes on your record! DO NOT let this happen to you…be prepared for the test! ***NOW IT IS OUR TURN TO ASK QUESTIONS!!!!! (We hope you are prepared with the answers.)

8. The Teachers • Remember that your teachers want to help you; if we are busy with other responsibilities, email us your questions ASAP! We will answer when we can.

• Each of our classrooms are different: one may have a certain rule or procedure that is different from the other—learn what YOUR teacher expects of you.

• Each of our styles is different! Teachers are people, too, and God has given us different strengths and personalities. Learn what your teacher wants from you, and you will do well this year.

• Remember: We love our subjects!

We have a lot to share in preparing you for life!

We care about you!

We are here to help you become a college-bound learner!

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