Strategies for Studying and Executive Functioning

Use Graphic Organizers to Improve Reading Comprehension and Organization

A crucial component to studying is good reading comprehension. In an article in the International Dyslexia Association’s Perspectives on Language/Literacy, Spring 2016, Jane Oakhill and Kate Cain state on page 35 that “graphic organizers help readers organize the text and support comprehension such as generating inferences.”

Examples of graphic organizers that can help students in the content areas are those involving cause and effect relationships and time lines. Carol Cox describes how graphic organizers can help students organize information from nonfiction material in this article:

Using Graphic Organizers in Literature-Based Science Instruction

Organizational skills are a key component of executive functioning skills as stated in this article from Understood.org:

3 Areas of Executive Function

Graphic organizers help students organize and comprehend material and apply their new knowledge to tests and essays.

Take Notes to Organize and Remember Reading Material

Another strategy to organize reading material is to take notes. Marty Sopher’s Crash Course for Study Skills gives students an introduction to taking notes. Jonathan Mooney and David Cole’s book Learning Outside the Lines presents a rationale for choosing a method of notes taking. Note taking can be as simple as flash cards or as complex as the Cornell Method of Notetaking discussed in this video.

Prepare Efficiently for Tests to Avoid Test Anxiety

Test anxiety can keep students from being successful on tests. In the article “Tips for Beating Test Anxiety” Rachel Ehmke emphasizes the importance of students being “active” when studying for tests.

Taking notes and utilizing graphic organizers are two active studying methods. Ehmke also suggests that students take practice tests. The book Study and Take Tests by Lee Canter gives tips on preparing for different types of tests.

Manage Time to Complete Homework and Study for Tests

Time management is a crucial skill in studying for tests and completing homework by due dates. Prioritizing is the first step for time management. The book Crash Course for Study Skills has lessons on this crucial step in time management. Other time management tools that students may use are the Calendar and the Keep sections within Google Drive. Here is a video from Understood.org that addresses time management and other organizational issues related to school.

Be Aware of Your Strengths and Challenges in Learning

As students become more confident learners, they need to understand their strengths and challenges in learning. This is an example of a worksheet I use with students that helps them with self awareness.

When students are aware of how they learn, they can begin to advocate for themselves. This article describes the importance of self advocacy.

After students apply the above strategies for studying and executive functioning they can discover that the image below is true!