Exam revision
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Exam revision
Just wondered whether anyone had any views on revising for exams in Year 7-9. They have exams but don't appear to be given any guidance on how to revise. I don't want to interfere but do feel dc would benefit from some sort of timetable to structure revision rather than panic revision the night before - often for 3 subjects.
I would contact the Head of Year to ask for guidance - staff should have given children some advice on revision/format of exams etc.
In the absence of anything from the school I would focus on developing good revision skills for the future rather than a rush job to get through the exam.
Depending on how long you have before the exams I would say at least half a day of revision per subject as a minimum.
It sounds like the exams are all together in a short period so try to avoid revision during the exam period except for looking over revision notes of specifics that DC needs to have in front of mind (formula/French verb they struggle with/few critical History dates etc)
My feeling with Year 7 exams is to provide general guidance & then as much as help as DC wants but to some extent to let them learn from the experience - if they think they can 'wing it' then Year 7 exams are probably the best ones for them to 'learn the error of their ways'
In the absence of anything from the school I would focus on developing good revision skills for the future rather than a rush job to get through the exam.
Depending on how long you have before the exams I would say at least half a day of revision per subject as a minimum.
It sounds like the exams are all together in a short period so try to avoid revision during the exam period except for looking over revision notes of specifics that DC needs to have in front of mind (formula/French verb they struggle with/few critical History dates etc)
My feeling with Year 7 exams is to provide general guidance & then as much as help as DC wants but to some extent to let them learn from the experience - if they think they can 'wing it' then Year 7 exams are probably the best ones for them to 'learn the error of their ways'
Unfortunately, not all teachers offer guidance on how to revise. I guess they assume that the knowledge is already there.
During an OFSTED inspection by the local LEA (how did they manage that!) I was asked what I'd meant when I'd asked the pupils to 'learn' something. I struggled to answer the question and no further explanation followed. A few years later, working with the same team on MFL teaching, an explanation for the question was offered. The word 'learn' means different things in different situations - I could've been asking pupils to memorise the meaning of a group of words, or I could've meant learn the French spelling and not the meaning, or I could've been expecting them to learn both the meaning and the spelling. So obvious to me and maybe to a third of the class, but not to everyone. I had never considered the possibility of the word 'learn' having a multitude of meanings. If one small word can cause confusion ...
During an OFSTED inspection by the local LEA (how did they manage that!) I was asked what I'd meant when I'd asked the pupils to 'learn' something. I struggled to answer the question and no further explanation followed. A few years later, working with the same team on MFL teaching, an explanation for the question was offered. The word 'learn' means different things in different situations - I could've been asking pupils to memorise the meaning of a group of words, or I could've meant learn the French spelling and not the meaning, or I could've been expecting them to learn both the meaning and the spelling. So obvious to me and maybe to a third of the class, but not to everyone. I had never considered the possibility of the word 'learn' having a multitude of meanings. If one small word can cause confusion ...
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I was never taught how to revise until I was in 6th Form. Where the Head of 6th Form actually taught students how to learn. It revolutionised my life and education because I learnt that it was MY EDUCATION and I WAS IN CHARGE of LEARNING. Actually, the teacher was largely irrelevant. The teacher taught, but it was up to me if I wanted to learn.
I take great pains to pass on the tricks of the trade to my students.
I take great pains to pass on the tricks of the trade to my students.
DEATH rides a white horse named Binky
n kent mum -
http://crgsonline.crgs.co.uk/dept/revision/
This is designed for parents of year 7-9 pupils at DC's school but since they are all studying the NC(?) it might help if you can't get anything from your own school.
http://crgsonline.crgs.co.uk/dept/revision/
This is designed for parents of year 7-9 pupils at DC's school but since they are all studying the NC(?) it might help if you can't get anything from your own school.
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Try www.chalkface.net
It has some useful stuff and many many links to other sites. It does take some ploughing through but may turn up some useful websites.
It has some useful stuff and many many links to other sites. It does take some ploughing through but may turn up some useful websites.
DEATH rides a white horse named Binky
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please move in and tell my son this!Sassie'sDad wrote:A little and often every day.
it is so frustrating, although very Ouspensky, to witness him continuing to make the same mistakes; not to learn from last year's not ideal exam results. I have endeavoured to tell him to read through his notes each day in an attempt to screw the knowledge learnt into his head a little as he goes. Does he? Nope. Utterly maddening.
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