current learning

Wednesday, january 8th

What we learned:

This week, we explored ways to study more efficiently. We learned about the "forgetting curve" and how it can help us design smarter study sessions by spacing out learning over time. By doing this, we can retain more information in the long run. We also discovered several powerful memory techniques, including mnemonics, visualization, storytelling, and chunking. These strategies help us organize and recall information more easily. In addition, we delved into metacognition, which is the ability to "think about our thinking." By practicing metacognition, we can stay more engaged with the material, making it easier to understand what we’re learning and decide which memory techniques will work best for different kinds of information.

Ideas to reinforce learning at home:

Parents can support their child's learning by encouraging them to apply these strategies during homework or study time. Ask your child to use spacing techniques by reviewing material periodically rather than cramming in one sitting. You can help them practice memory techniques like creating mnemonic devices, drawing visual images, or telling a story to remember key concepts. Encourage them to talk about their thought process while studying, helping them reflect on which strategies are most effective. You can also have discussions about how they are engaging with the material and what techniques they might use for different subjects, fostering self-awareness in their learning approach.

Wednesday, December 12th

What we learned:

We covered a lot of valuable time-management strategies and goal-setting techniques! Here's a summary and key takeaways:

1. Goal Setting and WOOP Method:

   • WOOP stands for Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, and Plan. This helps individuals set clear, actionable goals while identifying potential obstacles and planning for them.

   • The added S represents Systems and Habits, which are essential for making progress toward larger goals on a daily basis.

2. To-Do List and Prioritization:

   • The process begins with creating a comprehensive to-do list to capture everything that needs to be done.

   • After listing, tasks are prioritized based on their importance and urgency.

   • Time Blocking: Assign specific tasks to designated time slots on a calendar. This ensures that each task is given focused attention, and time is managed effectively.

3. Daily Commitment and Habit Formation:

   • The hardest part of setting up this system is consistency. It's common to forget to update to-do lists and calendars.

   • Reminder System: Setting reminders, possibly with the help of parents or accountability partners, can ensure that the system becomes a daily habit.

4. Pomodoro Technique:

   • The Pomodoro technique involves working in intervals, typically 25 minutes, followed by a short break. It's designed to help maintain focus and avoid burnout.

   • Adaptation for Motivation: If motivation is low, the work intervals can be shortened to 10-15 minutes. The key is to simply get started on tasks, especially those that are perceived as undesirable (like homework).

These strategies, when practiced consistently, will help your students stay focused, manage their time wisely, and move closer to achieving their larger goals.

Ideas to reinforce learning at home:

Consider printing out or purchasing a daily/monthly planner to help them start organizing their to-do lists and assigning tasks to specific time slots each day. Encourage them to bring their planners and to-do lists to class next week so we can use them as a learning tool. This skill takes time to develop, and we’ve only just begun to scratch the surface, so they may forget some steps or feel frustrated initially. This is completely normal and part of the learning process.

To start, they may want to keep it simple—just a basic list of tasks they can check off as they complete them. Time blocking can be added later once they feel more comfortable with the foundational skill of managing their to-do list. If you use a similar time management system, consider sharing your method with them. We discussed in class that there are many ways to approach time management, and seeing different strategies could be very helpful. This may be their first exposure to these ideas, but over time, they will figure out what works best for them through exploration and practice.

Wednesday, December 4th

What we learned: We explored several effective note-taking methods to help us understand and retain difficult content. These strategies support multisensory learning and encourage us to be active learners in class, allowing us to engage more deeply with the material. We discussed the "forgetting curve" and how regular, quick reviews and updates to our notes can strengthen our memory and help us retain information more effectively over time. We practiced the Cornell note-taking method, mind mapping, and outlining. Additionally, we learned how text annotation can keep our brains engaged, particularly when reading material that isn't immediately interesting. By choosing 3-5 meaningful symbols to use while annotating, we can stay focused and actively interact with the text, making reading a more engaging process.

Ideas to reinforce learning at home: Encourage your learner to use text annotation symbols when reading academic content. If they can't write in the books, they can use small post-it notes to add their annotations. Suggest they Google “annotation symbols” to find a few that resonate with them and try incorporating them into their reading.

Review the Mind Mapping and Outlining slides with your child and ask them to explain these methods to you. Explaining new concepts in their own words helps reinforce their learning. Google different Mind Maps together and discuss ideas of when they can use it for content they are learning at school.

To refresh their memory on the Cornell Notetaking method, watch this short video together. Encourage them to try using it during instruction in their most challenging class. Cornell notetaking fosters active engagement, helping prevent “zoning out” during less interesting lessons. Additionally, it serves as an effective review technique when they update the main idea/question column and summary section later.