Year 6: Active Studying Techniques

Our Year 5 and Year 6 students have just finished writing their Semester 1 exams. For many, this can be a stressful time of year. It is normal to feel some level of anxiety when faced with a big test or exam. Some of the ways students can combat test anxiety is by having a positive attitude while studying, being well rested before test day, and being well prepared.

The Cambridge Progression Tests are written at the end of Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 in Key Stage 2 for the core subjects and are based on the year’s work. Therefore, it is important that students make revision a habit and use active studying techniques to ensure their understanding of the concepts. Cambridge places a lot of emphasis on active learning and not simply regurgitating information.  Michael Prince describes active learning as “any instructional method that engages students in the learning process. In short, active learning requires students to do meaningful learning activities and think about what they are doing.”

Here are some effective active studying techniques students can try for the remainder of the year:

• TEACH IT TO UNDERSTAND IT. The best way to understand a concept is to teach it to someone else. Allow your child to teach you a skill they have learned in class. Once we understand something, we are much more likely to remember it.  Older students can also make PowerPoint presentations or demo videos of themselves explaining the concept.
• USE MNEMONIC DEVICES TO HELP YOU REMEMBER FACTS. Mnemonic devices are memory devices that help you to recall information. There are many different types of mnemonics; they can be things like rhymes, songs, phrases, pictures etc. Students can come up with their own mnemonic device or use one that has already been created.

Here are a few examples:

1. CREATE FLASH CARDS
   Making your own flash cards is a very effective way to learn facts, including key vocabulary and even times tables. Students can also use flash cards to play memory match games.
   How to use flash cards: https://www.parent24.com/Learn/School-exams/watch-how-to-study-using-flashcards-20160825
   Editable flash card templates and how to make flash cards in MS Word: https://templatearchive.com/index-and-flash-cards/#Creating_flashcard_templates_in_Microsoft_Word
2. CREATE AND TAKE QUIZZES
   Practising past class tests can be a good way to prepare you for the kind of questions that may crop up in an exam. Another good strategy is to create your own quiz on the content you are studying.  There are online sites that help you do this and many will give you access to quizzes others have created. For example: https://quizlet.com/latest
3. PRACTISE ACTIVE READING
   It is not enough to simply read through information.  Understanding and retention can greatly be improved by paraphrasing what you read, making colour coded notes, jotting down key ideas using bullet points or drawing pictures, and creating mind maps of the information.
   How to colour code notes: https://study.com/blog/5-tips-for-color-coding-your-notes.html
   How to come create a mind map: https://imindmap.com/how-to-mind-map/
4. GO ONLINE AND EXPLORE RESOURCES SUCH AS WEBSITES, GAMES AND YOUTUBE
   A simple internet search will turn up a host of online educational games and resources. YouTube can also be a wonderful resource of videos that help explain concepts in a more visual way. In addition, all our primary students have access to Reading Eggs and Mathletics (Mathseeds R – YR3), which are excellent apps that help reinforce skills taught in class.

At the end of the day, everyone learns differently and students need to find the most effective and efficient strategy to help them in their understanding.  It is important to remember that tests and exams do not measure intelligence and they cannot assess what makes you special and unique.

Mrs Amanda Hack
Year 6 Teacher