FINAL EXAMS *EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK 1 - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

FINAL EXAMS *EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK 1

GOALS FOR SEMINAR Preparing for Finals  Final Schedule  Calculating Grades  Time Management  Organization of Materials  Preparing for Cumulative Final  What Parents Can Do 2

FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE Frida day, , Novem embe ber r 16  1 st hour 7:30 — 8:22 st hour  1 st ur exam am 8:27 — 10: 0:02 02 (90 mins.) s.)  2 nd hour 10:10 — 11:05 (Announcements)  3 rd hour A Lunch 11:13 — 11:53 A Class 11:53 — 12:46 B Class 11:13 — 12:06 B Lunch 12:06 — 12:46  4 th hour 12:54 — 1:48  5 th hour 1:56 — 2:50 3

FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE Monda nday, Novem embe ber r 19  2 nd Hour Final *Students are provided bagels 7:30 – 9:05* and juice in the cafeteria compliments of the PTSA on Monday and Tuesday  3 rd Hour Final 9:25 – 11:00 between the exam periods. Tue uesd sday, Novemb ember er 20 Bus pick-up 11:05 Mon/Tue  4 th Hour Final 7:30 – 9:05*  5 th Hour Final 9:25 – 11:00 4

HOW GRADES ARE CALCULATED “In computing the term grade, 80% of the grade reflects course work, while the final examination will be worth no no more than 20%.” 5

HOW GRADES ARE CALCULATED  Example One:  If Sara has a 85% 85% for the term and earns a 95% 95% on her final what will her grade be? .85 x . 80 = .68 course work + .95 x .20 = .19 + exam_____ = .87 7 Term Grade of a 87% % = B+ 6

HOW GRADES ARE CALCULATED  Example Two:  If Sara has a 66% 66% for the term and earns a 95% 95% on her final what will her grade be? .66 x .80 = .53 course work + .95 x .20 = .19 + exam_____ = .72 2 Term Grade of 72% = C- 7

CALCULATING GRADES: FINAL THOUGHT  Term grades that are “borderline” are more likely to be impacted by finals than those that are in the middle of a grade.  Generally speaking, finals will increase or decrease your term grade slightly unless you have major increases or decreases in your final. 8

FAILURE TO PLAN IS A PLAN FOR FAILURE The secret to doing well But to keep steadily So if I take one chapter an on a test is to not try to learning it bit by bit over hour from now until dawn… cram in the information all time. at once… 9

TIME MANAGEMENT  Prior Planning  Manageable Chunks  Weekly Calendar  Daily Calendar  Capture times of high energy  Recreation  Rest 10

Time Management Planning Sheet 1 st Hour To Do: Subject: Core Biology Review sheet; index cards — ≈7.5 hrs Teacher: Nobis 2 nd Hour To Do: Subject: Integrated Math 1 Sheet of Practice Problems; review tests/quizzes≈7.5 hrs Teacher: Kong 3 rd Hour To Do: Subject: English 9 Review sheet; vocabulary flash cards ≈7.5 hrs Teacher: Scurti 4 th Hour To Do: Subject: Art Foundations Complete last two projects ≈3 hrs Chapman Teacher: 5 th Hour To Do: Subject: World History Complete group project ≈7.5 hrs Heard Teacher: 11

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Bio .75 1 hour Parent/ I.Mth .75 session = Student Eng .75 45 min Meeting Plan 1.5 Hist .75 work Hist .75 + 15 min 2-Nov 3-Nov 4-Nov 5-Nov break Bio .75 Bio .75 I.Mth .75 ” Replan ” I.Mth .75 Eng .75 day Eng .75 Hist .75 Hist .75 1 hr Art Bio .75 I.Mth.75 Eng .75 Hist .75 Eng .75 @Groves 6-Nov 7-Nov 8-Nov 9-Nov 10-Nov 11-Nov 12-Nov Bio .75 I.Mth .75 I.Mth .75 I.Mth .1.5 Eng .75 Eng .75 Eng 1.5 Hist .75 Hist .75 Hist .75 1 hr Art Bio .75 Bio .75 Bio .75 Bio 1.5 1st exam 13-Nov 14-Nov 15-Nov 16-Nov 17-Nov 18-Nov 19-Nov To Do: 1 st Hour 7.5 Hours Bio I.Mth 1.5 2 nd Hour 7.5 Hours Int. Math Eng 1.5 Hist 1.5 2nd exam4th exam 3 rd Hour 7.5 Hours English 1 hr Art 3rd exam 5th exam 4 th Hour 3.0 Hours Art 22-Nov 5 th Hour 7. 5 Hour History 20-Nov 21-Nov 12

TIME MANAGEMENT: HOURLY SCHEDULE = MANAGEABLE CHUNKS  8:00-9:00  Example:  9:00-10:00  Bio 45 min  10:00-11:00 History  I.Mth45 min  11:00-12:00 I. Math  Eng 45 min  12:00- 1:00 Recreation/Eat  Hist 45 min  1:00-2:00  2:00- 3:00  3:00-4:00 Biology  4:00-5:00 English 13

EA EARLY Y PREP EP-- --NE NEXT XT 1.5 .5 WEE EEKS KS  Make master plan  Schedule study sessions  Organize materials  Organize study partners or groups  Recopy Notes  Create and organize flashcards  Meet with partners or groups 14

LA LATE E PREP EP- LA LAST T 1.5 .5 WEE EEKS KS  Using the final review sheet from your teacher to create a 1 to 2 page study guide.  Prepare specific items teachers may allow you to use (“cheat sheets”)  Review your study guide frequently, learn concepts, think big picture.  Read your study guide aloud.  Share study guides, create a group comprehensive study guide. 15

TIME MANAGEMENT: MAINTAIN FOCUS  Prior Planning  Hourly Calendar  Manageable Chunks  Capture times of high energy  Recreation  Rest 16

TIME MANAGEMENT So begin now! The secret to doing well But to keep steadily learning Manageable chunks and on a test is to not try to it bit by bit over time. start early, wins this race. cram in the information all A BETTER OPTION at once… 17

ORGANIZING MATERIALS  Study Guide  Notebook / Binders  Chapter notes  Blogs/websites  When/where/if used  Test and quizzes  H.W. Assignments  Note Cards  Lab Reports 18

INTERNET CONNECTIONS AND FINDING RESOURCES  PowerSchool  Need to connect?  Sally Fraser  sfraser@birmingham.k12.mi.us  248-203-3501  Fusion Pages (Teacher sites)  Additional sites 19

PREPARING FOR A CUMULATIVE EXAM  Use review sections in the back of the text  Review past test, quizzes, labs  Focus on areas that you previously had problems with  Use x-blocks to ask specific questions from homework or study sessions.  Create an exam, with a key. Have a friend/classmate do the same. Take and score each others exams. Review your findings. 20

GROUP STUDY SESSIONS  Be careful to only form groups with those you can trust to be serious  Group size shouldn’t be larger than 3 or 4  Schedule group time in advance. (People have busy schedules). 21

GROUP STUDY SESSIONS CONT…  Share and compare notes  Co-create study guides/ sheets  Quiz each other  If you engage in a group study or partner study relationship, be true to the spirit of team .  Group study situations require responsible learners. 22

STUDY SKILL TECHNIQUES--ASPIRE  Approach/Attitude/Arrange  Positive outlook…Arrange your schedule to reduce distractions  Select/Survey/Study  Select a reasonable chunk of material and time to study  Put aside/Piece together  Put aside books/notes brainstorm (piece together) what you know  Inspect/Investigate/Inquire  Inspect what you don’t know, investigate , learning what you need to know  Reconsider context/reflect  Try looking at content from different perspectives…”author interview”  Evaluate/examine/explore 23

DISCOVER YOUR LEARNING STYLE Most people learn in a variety of ways…  Visual Auditory Reading/Writing Kinesthetic  When preparing for exams, use strategies that best fit your learning style(s)  You may need to use strategies from a variety of learning styles . 24

ASSESSMENT  Log onto  http://www.educationplanner.org/students/self- assessments/learning-styles.shtml  Click on Answer the 20 Questions  Fill out honestly  Click on Show me the results  Read about your learning style 25

TEST TAKING STRATEGIES  Survey entire test (timing)  Read directions carefully  Answer questions strategically  Easy first  Process of elimination  Review for completion  Resist desire to change answers unless you are certain. 26

WHAT CAN PARENTS DO…  Provide needed materials  Sit down with your child tonight or Thursday night, to create a study schedule.  3 P ’s ---Promote Prior Planning  Review with your child (but recognize the goal of creating independent learners)  Host / transport for group or partner study sessions  Hydration, food, rest, recreation …help with balance. 27

COMMUNICA MUNICATING TING WITH TEENS NS — TIPS FOR R PARENT RENTS FROM AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION:  When en your ur child ldren ren are e talking, lking, stop op what atever r else se you u are e doin ing g to listen en to them em  Express press your ur intere erest st in what at the hey y are e saying ying witho thout ut bein ing g intru trusiv sive  Listen to your child’s viewpoint, even if it’s difficult to hear  Let et your our child ld finish ish speaki eaking ng bef efore ore you ou respond spond  Focus on your child’s feelings rather than your own during the e conver ersation sation  Your ur child ld needs eds a chee eerleader rleader and d encourage courager, , not t a critic! tic! Final al exam ams s will l be less ss stressfu ressful l and d more ore succe cessfu ssful l when en you u keep eep thin ings gs positiv sitive! e! 28