How to StudyHow to Study

Why Study -$, Love, Happiness, Why Study -$, Love, Happiness, HealthHealth

Why is studying such a drag?Why is studying such a drag?Language is made of symbolsLanguage is made of symbols

Symbols-Symbols-قق×∞G5©$×∞G5©$

Symbols represent other Symbols represent other thingsthings

Words are sounds that represent Words are sounds that represent thingsthings

Cat-(Gato)-- Letters represents Cat-(Gato)-- Letters represents soundssounds

Phonics is decoding word as SoundsPhonics is decoding word as Sounds Reading is decoding word for meaningReading is decoding word for meaning So with all these symbols coding and then So with all these symbols coding and then

decoding there are many places for decoding there are many places for miscoding to occurmiscoding to occur

Coding and DecodingCoding and Decoding

Morse Code Put letters into dots and Morse Code Put letters into dots and dashesdashes

S is three dots O is three dashesS is three dots O is three dashes A ship in trouble put out …---…SOSA ship in trouble put out …---…SOS This meant Save Our Ship and any This meant Save Our Ship and any

ship that heard it headed to helpship that heard it headed to help So the message is put into code then So the message is put into code then

decoded because there is a common decoded because there is a common code book usedcode book used

A Dictionary is the A Dictionary is the CodebookCodebook

The English language has been The English language has been developing for so many centuries developing for so many centuries many words now have many meaningsmany words now have many meanings

The word “do” has 30 definitions not The word “do” has 30 definitions not counting the sub definitionscounting the sub definitions

When you put the wrong thing in the When you put the wrong thing in the code it turns into blankness or code it turns into blankness or confusion like in Morse Code thinking confusion like in Morse Code thinking 3 dots codes for M. The ship would 3 dots codes for M. The ship would send out MOMsend out MOM

ExamplesExamples

The point was whether to leave the The point was whether to leave the auto to be sobiratted by the rozzes auto to be sobiratted by the rozzes or, us feeling like in a hate and or, us feeling like in a hate and murder mood, to give it a fair murder mood, to give it a fair tolchock into the starry waters for a tolchock into the starry waters for a nice heavy loud plesk before the nice heavy loud plesk before the death of the evening.death of the evening.

From “A Clockwork Orange” From “A Clockwork Orange” by Anthony Burgess by Anthony Burgess

TranslationTranslation

The point was whether to leave the auto to The point was whether to leave the auto to be sobiratted by the rozzes or, us feeling be sobiratted by the rozzes or, us feeling like in a hate and murder mood, to give it a like in a hate and murder mood, to give it a fair tolchock into the starry waters for a fair tolchock into the starry waters for a nice heavy loud plesk before the death of nice heavy loud plesk before the death of the evening.the evening.

Sobirat-to pick up Rozz-policemanSobirat-to pick up Rozz-policeman Tolchock-to hit or push Starry –ancientTolchock-to hit or push Starry –ancient Plesk-splashPlesk-splash

Scientists usually follow observations Scientists usually follow observations with inferences.with inferences.

Infer-to derive as a conclusion from Infer-to derive as a conclusion from facts or premises <we see smoke and facts or premises <we see smoke and infer fire>infer fire>

Derive-infer, deduceDerive-infer, deduce deduce-to determine by deductiondeduce-to determine by deduction Deduction- the deriving of a conclusion Deduction- the deriving of a conclusion

by reasoningby reasoning

Symptoms of not decoding Symptoms of not decoding correctlycorrectly

BlanknessBlankness ConfusionConfusion No idea of what you just readNo idea of what you just read Misunderstanding-angerMisunderstanding-anger You know you have the right You know you have the right

definition when all these go awaydefinition when all these go away ““Aha”Aha”

How to read with How to read with UnderstandingUnderstanding

Read one word at a time asking yourself if you Read one word at a time asking yourself if you know the definition of it know the definition of it as it is used in the as it is used in the sentence.sentence.

If you can’t define it easily you must look up If you can’t define it easily you must look up the word immediately.the word immediately.

For Biology-write it in your notebookFor Biology-write it in your notebook Use the Simplest Dictionary you can, like the Use the Simplest Dictionary you can, like the

StudentStudent Use the Guide words on the top of the pages of Use the Guide words on the top of the pages of

the dictionary, they tell the first and last word the dictionary, they tell the first and last word on the pageon the page

Looking up wordsLooking up words

Find the definition that fits, if you Find the definition that fits, if you substitute it in the sentence, the sentence substitute it in the sentence, the sentence makes sensemakes sense

If you find more misunderstood words in If you find more misunderstood words in the definition write them down and look the definition write them down and look them upthem up

When you have the word defined as it is When you have the word defined as it is used in the reading make up sentences of used in the reading make up sentences of your own using the word as it is used in your own using the word as it is used in what you are readingwhat you are reading

Problem Number Problem Number 1=Misunderstood Words1=Misunderstood Words

You will know when you have made You will know when you have made up enough sentences when the word up enough sentences when the word is “yours” you “get it”is “yours” you “get it”

This will save a lot of time looking up This will save a lot of time looking up the word over and overthe word over and over

Look at the derivation or root of the Look at the derivation or root of the word to get an idea of where the word to get an idea of where the word came fromword came from

ExampleExample

You read “They went to the You read “They went to the pediatricianpediatrician””

You find it’s a child doctorYou find it’s a child doctor The root “ped” means child or foot The root “ped” means child or foot So a So a pedestrianpedestrian is someone walking is someone walking A A pedicurepedicure is care of your feet like a is care of your feet like a

manicure takes of your hand manicure takes of your hand

So read one word at a time NO So read one word at a time NO SKIMMINGSKIMMING

No SkippingNo Skipping The idea is duplication of the The idea is duplication of the

author’s communication author’s communication all of itall of it There are so many definitions for the There are so many definitions for the

same word it is easy to be fooled into same word it is easy to be fooled into thinking you know the correct one thinking you know the correct one when you don’t when you don’t

Sometimes you can’t spot the Sometimes you can’t spot the misunderstoodmisunderstood

Word Word

If you miss a word you get a little If you miss a word you get a little confusion and blanknessconfusion and blankness

If you miss a lot you get lots of confusion If you miss a lot you get lots of confusion and blankness and sleepiness and yawningand blankness and sleepiness and yawning

Eventually you hate the subject as it Eventually you hate the subject as it “hurts you”“hurts you”

The cure for any bad feeling while The cure for any bad feeling while studying is going studying is going backback not forward not forward

Go Back to where you know the stuff Go Back to where you know the stuff for for suresure

Getting out of troubleGetting out of trouble

Go back and come forward slowly Go back and come forward slowly looking at every word looking at every word

If you have to, pick words you think If you have to, pick words you think you know and look them up anywayyou know and look them up anyway

Only when you are absolutely Only when you are absolutely positive you know the meaning of all positive you know the meaning of all words is clear do the next stepwords is clear do the next step

Almost all study problems come from Almost all study problems come from misunderstood wordsmisunderstood words

Problem Number TwoProblem Number Two

Skipped materialSkipped material All learning is done on a gradientAll learning is done on a gradient Gradient: A part sloping upward or Gradient: A part sloping upward or

downwarddownward You build on previous learningYou build on previous learning No Shakespeare before “The Cat in No Shakespeare before “The Cat in

The Hat”The Hat” No algebra before arithmeticNo algebra before arithmetic

Handling Skipped Handling Skipped GradientsGradients

Find more information because the Find more information because the author left something outauthor left something out

Authors do not know what their Authors do not know what their particular reader does not knowparticular reader does not know

Some authors and teachers are really Some authors and teachers are really bad at laying things out on a gradientbad at laying things out on a gradient

You want it very simple and then a You want it very simple and then a little harder and then a little harder little harder and then a little harder etc.etc.

Skipped GradientsSkipped Gradients

Find a simpler source like an Find a simpler source like an encyclopedia or wikipedia encyclopedia or wikipedia

Google it Wiki itGoogle it Wiki it Ask somebody if you have to-not the Ask somebody if you have to-not the

first choicefirst choice My job is to figure out what you need My job is to figure out what you need

and if someone tells me I can tell the and if someone tells me I can tell the class. Same with words- I don’t know class. Same with words- I don’t know what you need half the timewhat you need half the time

Problem Three-Lack of Problem Three-Lack of something Solidsomething Solid

The last problem may be obvious when The last problem may be obvious when you are reading in that you need you are reading in that you need something to look at or hold in your something to look at or hold in your hands.hands.

It’s hard to imagine an atom or cell if you It’s hard to imagine an atom or cell if you never saw a picture or model etc. never saw a picture or model etc.

Get an engine if you are studying engines.Get an engine if you are studying engines. Get a body if you are studying bodies.Get a body if you are studying bodies. Get a picture, models, etc to get a “grip”Get a picture, models, etc to get a “grip”

Lack of somethingLack of something

Drawing is a good way to be sure Drawing is a good way to be sure you have ityou have it

This is what your notebook is forThis is what your notebook is for You can use stuff like paper clips, You can use stuff like paper clips,

wire, string, rubber bands etc. to wire, string, rubber bands etc. to demonstrate what is going ondemonstrate what is going on

It gives your mind something to It gives your mind something to work onwork on

SummarySummary

Be careful reading word by word, Be careful reading word by word, looking them up as you go if you need looking them up as you go if you need to.to.

If you need more info get it.If you need more info get it. If you need something solid get it –If you need something solid get it –

real thing, pictures, models etc.real thing, pictures, models etc. If you still can’t get it-write down If you still can’t get it-write down

page and paragraph and tell me or page and paragraph and tell me or someone- email’s goodsomeone- email’s good

NotebookNotebook

Your notebook should have an entry Your notebook should have an entry every day you study Date and page every day you study Date and page numbersnumbers

Write down the words you looked upWrite down the words you looked up Draw things out Draw things out Write down words in class you need Write down words in class you need

to look up laterto look up later Write down what you can’t getWrite down what you can’t get

Study QuestionsStudy Questions 1.) You are reading Biology and realize you 1.) You are reading Biology and realize you

have no clue as what you just read. What have no clue as what you just read. What should you?should you?

A. Start weeping and seek sympathy from A. Start weeping and seek sympathy from your parentsyour parents

B. Find a word and use it in sentences you B. Find a word and use it in sentences you make upmake up

C. Go back to where things were going C. Go back to where things were going good and look for a misunderstood word to good and look for a misunderstood word to look uplook up

D. Build a model of what is in the book.D. Build a model of what is in the book.

Study QuestionsStudy Questions 2) You looked up every word that could 2) You looked up every word that could

possibly be giving you problems but still possibly be giving you problems but still can’t get it. What do you do?can’t get it. What do you do?

A) Try to find more information because A) Try to find more information because the book missed telling you somethingthe book missed telling you something

B) Use the words you looked up in more B) Use the words you looked up in more sentencessentences

C) Throw a hissy fitC) Throw a hissy fit D) Write down in your notebook where in D) Write down in your notebook where in

the book it’s impossible to understandthe book it’s impossible to understand

Study QuestionsStudy Questions

3)You look up a word that you can’t think 3)You look up a word that you can’t think of the definition for in a dictionary. What’s of the definition for in a dictionary. What’s next?next?

A) Read the first definition and go back to A) Read the first definition and go back to readingreading

B) Find the definition that when B) Find the definition that when substituted for the word makes the substituted for the word makes the sentence make sense.sentence make sense.

C) Look at the derivation of the wordC) Look at the derivation of the word D) Call it a nightD) Call it a night

4) You have looked up all the words, got 4) You have looked up all the words, got new information covering everything but new information covering everything but still don’t understand. What is the next still don’t understand. What is the next thing to try to gain more understanding?thing to try to gain more understanding?

A) Telepathy with the authorA) Telepathy with the author B) Ask a parent, older sibling or B) Ask a parent, older sibling or

grandparentgrandparent C) Get a model, use clay, paper clips etc C) Get a model, use clay, paper clips etc

to show things, sketch it out etc.to show things, sketch it out etc. D) Go back to the start of the readingD) Go back to the start of the reading

5) You have been trying to look up words 5) You have been trying to look up words but are spending hours looking up the but are spending hours looking up the words in the definitions. What should you words in the definitions. What should you do?do?

A) Stop looking up the words you don’t A) Stop looking up the words you don’t know in the definitions.know in the definitions.

B) Use a simpler dictionaryB) Use a simpler dictionary C) Blame your parents and former C) Blame your parents and former

teachersteachers D) Google all the wordsD) Google all the words