TeachersFirst's Study Skills Resources
This curated collection of reviewed resources from TeachersFirst is selected to help students learn their most effective study strategies. The collection includes specific study tools, reading strategies, review ideas, and notetaking methods that students and teachers can try as lessons in themselves or --even better-- as they go about the regular curriculum. Whether you want to use a graphic organizer, create your own electronic flash cards, or simply learn how to approach a test, there is a resource to help. Learning Support teachers and teachers of gifted will also want to share these alternate ways for students to organize and retain concepts, vocabulary, and more.
Make learning how to learn part of your class routine at any grade level and in any subject. Find a complete listing of tools to increase your students' study skills here.
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Study Skills - Crash Course
Grades
5 to 12
Crash Course Study Skills is a free digital tool that has ten study skills videos. This series of videos teaches you how to learn, effectively take notes, understand reading assignments,...more
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Crash Course Study Skills is a free digital tool that has ten study skills videos. This series of videos teaches you how to learn, effectively take notes, understand reading assignments, write papers, and study for tests. Additionally, the series explores how your memory works, various study strategies, planning, and improving your concentration. Videos, on average, are about ten minutes. This site uses YouTube and has commercials before each video.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): note taking (36), organizational skills (88), test prep (69)
In the Classroom
After watching the video series, students can reflect on which strategy works best for them and why. Students can become mentors to younger students to teach them study strategies and how to effectively use them. Finally, students can create a how to study guide to share with others.Studysmarter.us - studysmarter.us
Grades
8 to 12Studysmarter.us is a website that provides resources and support for students and teachers to help them improve their study habits and achieve academic success. The website offers articles...more
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Studysmarter.us is a website that provides resources and support for students and teachers to help them improve their study habits and achieve academic success. The website offers articles and guides on time management, note-taking, and exam preparation. Students can improve their study skills by using various ready-made tools and resources, including articles, videos, and interactive activities, or creating their own study materials. Studysmarter.us adds a little bit of fun and engagement to studying by setting weekly goals, then awarding badges for tasks completed, and time spent studying,
tag(s): organizational skills (88)
In the Classroom
Studysmarter.us can help students to develop effective study strategies, manage their time more efficiently, and boost their academic performance. Students or teachers can create study materials and share them with study groups. Create a course syllabus, outlines, and planners with ready-to-use templates. The site also includes many free-to-use math, biology, and economics textbooks.Learning Apps - Learning Apps
Grades
3 to 12Create and share personalized learning activities using tools found at Learning Apps. Use the templates to create tools in various formats, including games, matching exercises, puzzles,...more
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Create and share personalized learning activities using tools found at Learning Apps. Use the templates to create tools in various formats, including games, matching exercises, puzzles, and cloze reading texts. Begin by selecting a template and choosing an option from the examples provided. Next, add information to fill in each of the parts of the template, such as title, description, image, and links or content. When finished, view the preview, then save the app to your account. Editor's note: this site includes apps that are ready to use; however, many are not in English. In addition, a small portion of instructions for building an app may be in a different language, use a translating tool such as the one found at Linguee, reviewed here, to see the directions in English.
tag(s): flash cards (43), game based learning (208), vocabulary (241)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free resources provided by Learning Apps to create activities for students to practice content in various formats. For example, make apps for students to complete timelines for books, historical events, or the steps in conducting a science experiment. Use the cloze learning activity to reinforce new vocabulary in a language arts class or scientific terms. Extend learning by asking students to create apps to share with their peers as part of your review activities at the end of any teaching unit. Consider using a screen recording tool such as Free Screen Recorder Online, reviewed here, to share tutorials on how to create the different types of apps and have them available for students to use.SummarizeThis - Iris Reading
Grades
5 to 12Do you need a tool to quickly summarize long chunks of text? SummarizeThis is the answer. Just copy any section of text from online, PDFs, word documents, or where ever ...more
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Do you need a tool to quickly summarize long chunks of text? SummarizeThis is the answer. Just copy any section of text from online, PDFs, word documents, or where ever and paste it into SummarizeThis. Click the link to summarize, and the result appears immediately.
tag(s): learning disability (21), Special Needs (52), summarizing (22)
In the Classroom
Introduce SummarizeThis to students working on research projects as a way to quickly determine the content and viability of using websites. Use to differentiate instruction with students. Use with learning support students as a resource to make content more accessible. Use the summaries when teaching how to summarize in an ELA class. Compare the summary you create as a class or in small groups with the "automated" one. Are there subtleties or important distinctions that this tool misses? As a challenge for your more critical thinkers, have them try to figure out what signals the tool uses to create its summary.eMargin - Birmingham City University
Grades
8 to 12Collaborate and annotate online using eMargin. Create an account using your email to get started. Begin annotating using text you upload from your computer, enter a URL, or copy and...more
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Collaborate and annotate online using eMargin. Create an account using your email to get started. Begin annotating using text you upload from your computer, enter a URL, or copy and paste text. Once text is available, use the dashboard to highlight with your choice of colors, add notes or tags, or search for specific words or phrases. Create groups to share and collaborate on annotations.
tag(s): collaboration (94), note taking (36), questioning (36)
In the Classroom
eMargin is a great tool for you (or your students) to annotate research and information on the Internet or from personal documents. Create teacher annotations or question and answer comments on pages. Ask comprehension questions or guiding questions for places you send students on the web. Ask questions that students can complete as homework to show that they accessed the web resource assigned. This tool would also be a powerful way for students to point out bias on a web page or for art students to comment on images and design elements. Create writing prompts by adding questions or comments to a webpage and sharing it with students.Text Mode - omarr.com
Grades
K to 12Text Mode is an easy-to-install extension for Chrome browsers that removes all information from web pages except text. Convert distracting, hard to follow web pages into clean black...more
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Text Mode is an easy-to-install extension for Chrome browsers that removes all information from web pages except text. Convert distracting, hard to follow web pages into clean black and white text with a click of a button. Once installed, click the "T" on your browser toolbar to turn Text Mode on or off when viewing any page.
tag(s): media literacy (113), multilingual (78), reading comprehension (152)
In the Classroom
Install Text Mode on all classroom computers for use throughout the year. Turn distracting images off when sharing web pages with a projector or on an interactive whiteboard to help students focus on content. Use this tool in technology training with students to share how images, videos, and ads change the look of web content. Share how adding images helps viewers understand the content. Text Mode is excellent for use with ENL/ELL and special education students as a method for focusing. Share web pages with images to help students get the big picture, then remove images to deliver and understand the content offered.Baamboozle - baamboozle.com
Grades
K to 12Baamboozle is a quick and easy-to-use tool for playing and creating games. It doesn't require registration to play. Choose the "Games" link to go to all games saved on Baamboozle. ...more
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Baamboozle is a quick and easy-to-use tool for playing and creating games. It doesn't require registration to play. Choose the "Games" link to go to all games saved on Baamboozle. Scroll through to view games, or search for a term. Divide the group into two teams and begin play. Each team chooses a number from the game board and answers the question. Check for accuracy; then, Baamboozle keeps track of scores. Use games found on the site, or create games on any device. Registration with email is necessary to create your own games.
tag(s): flash cards (43), game based learning (208), preK (291)
In the Classroom
Save Baamboozle in your bag of tricks for a quick review of any content. Engage students by having them create games to share with the class when reviewing for quizzes and tests. Bring excitement to professional development by creating a Baamboozle with materials you are sharing. Be sure to provide a link to Baamboozle games on your class website for students to play at home. Use Baamboozle if your class is remote learningStudy Jams - Scholastic
Grades
3 to 8Study Jams offers engaging instruction and review activities in both math and science. Some sample science topics include plants, volcanoes, human body, the solar system, weather, matter,...more
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Study Jams offers engaging instruction and review activities in both math and science. Some sample science topics include plants, volcanoes, human body, the solar system, weather, matter, and more. Math topics include numbers (place value, number lines, estimation), algebra, addition/subtraction, problem solving, and others. Key vocabulary is presented along with a short video explanation of each topic. In addition to the video, there is an option to test your own ability. Each topic can also be printed to use in the classroom and there is a link to related "jams."
tag(s): addition (127), animals (293), climate (86), decimals (85), differentiation (86), division (96), ecosystems (85), energy (133), estimation (33), forces (37), fractions (159), game based learning (208), human body (91), landforms (39), light (56), matter (45), measurement (123), minerals (12), multiplication (120), number lines (33), percent (59), place value (33), plants (148), probability (98), problem solving (233), rocks (34), solar system (108), sound (71), subtraction (108), weather (160)
In the Classroom
Excite your students with the Jams! Share the Jam videos on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Have students sing along and learn more about science and math. Especially younger students will enjoy this feature. Create a link to the site on your classroom website or blog for students to use for review and practice at home. Use the many topics available to differentiate for all students in your classroom. Create learning centers using this site or use it on individual laptops. Print out the quizzes for students to take as an assessment.GoConqr - ExamTime Ltd
Grades
6 to 12GoConqr (formerly ExamTime) is a crowdsourcing site for uploading and sharing class notes, flashcards, quizzes, and more. Free membership offers you access to 3 subjects and 20 public...more
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GoConqr (formerly ExamTime) is a crowdsourcing site for uploading and sharing class notes, flashcards, quizzes, and more. Free membership offers you access to 3 subjects and 20 public resources. Sign up using your email account to begin using GoConqr's features. Be sure to watch the video tutorials for creating resources for your personal page. Use the search feature to find and access resources already designed and shared on the site. If your district blocks YouTube, they may not be viewable.
tag(s): classroom management (118), flash cards (43), homework (28), mind map (28), quizzes (90), social networking (61), test prep (69)
In the Classroom
Share GoConqr with students to build and use study skills. Although an individual can use the site on their own, it is best to use it as a sharing site for study information. Encourage students to sign up and build a network of friends for creating and sharing resources. Learning support teachers and teachers of gifted-but-disorganized students will want to share the tools and encourage their students to create groups and collaborate with their peers. Have students create review activities and swap them with peers. Use this tool with colleagues to co-create materials to use with content units or materials to use for flipping the classroom. Use this tool for professional development.Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes social features, such as "friends," comments, ratings by others
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
Edcite - 2014 Edcite Inc.
Grades
1 to 8Give your students practice and instruction in standardized test style format. Find an easy way to create Common Core assignments using PARCC and Smarter Balanced question types. Passages...more
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Give your students practice and instruction in standardized test style format. Find an easy way to create Common Core assignments using PARCC and Smarter Balanced question types. Passages allow for highlighting, graphs, image labeling, and video sections for background knowledge. Questions include a section for written response to improve evidence-based answers as well as multiple choice. Teachers can share their assignments or use other teacher created assignments. Students receive immediately graded feedback. With a free teacher account, save questions to your library.
tag(s): assessment (146), test prep (69)
In the Classroom
Use technology to motivate and engage your students. Give these quality text passages personalized to your class needs. Use as a teaching tool on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Continue to use individually or as small group instruction. Pair a weak reader with a strong reader for independent pair work. You can easily differentiate by creating tiered assignments to meet each students' needs. Share at your next staff meeting to provide collaboration between teachers. Use in a flipped classroom and have students complete the work at home. They will still receive immediate feedback! Use at parent gatherings to provide an example of the grade level expectations. Put on your classroom website as a way to practice at home. Before assigning questions to individual students you might want to check the readability of the questions or supplied readings. Use a tool such as The Readability Test Tool, reviewed here. This reviewer found the articles in some grade levels to be about two years higher in reading level than the grade listed for the question.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
Sight Words - Gajan Retnasaba
Grades
K to 3Sight Words offers a comprehensive resource of techniques, teaching activities, lessons, and materials for teaching young children to read. Begin your exploration by Clicking the Teaching...more
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Sight Words offers a comprehensive resource of techniques, teaching activities, lessons, and materials for teaching young children to read. Begin your exploration by Clicking the Teaching Strategies. Explore the information and instructions for all teaching strategies employed in lessons. View videos, read blog posts, create and print your own flashcards, and more! Explore the history of Dolch and Fry sight words. Take a visit to Sight Word Games to find great ideas for your classroom: Bingo, Fly Swat, Fishing, Bean Bag Toss, and more... all related to sight words, of course. Some of the video clips are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.
tag(s): flash cards (43), game based learning (208), gamification (86), preK (291), reading strategies (97), science of reading (36), sight words (23)
In the Classroom
Sight Words is an excellent resource to share with parents. Include a link to this site on your class website and newsletters. Share this site with classroom tutors and helpers for use when working with students. Share this link with student teachers as an excellent resource for beginning reading instruction. Find ideas to implement in your classroom. Create flashcards for your students. Try the Sight Word Games in your own classroom as a learning center or even whole class games!
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Cram - Online Flashcard Library - Cram.com
Grades
4 to 12Create your own flashcards using Cram or find what you need from Cram's library of over 50 million flashcards! Browse by subject to find flashcards or use the search box ...more
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Create your own flashcards using Cram or find what you need from Cram's library of over 50 million flashcards! Browse by subject to find flashcards or use the search box to explore available cards. Create your own flashcards then download and share for use on PC or Mac. View flashcards in several modes such as traditional flashcard, memorize, or test. Shuffle cards or place in alphabetical order for studying.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (146), flash cards (43), test prep (69), vocabulary (241), vocabulary development (96)
In the Classroom
Create flashcards for your classes or have students make their own. Try using them as an introduction to a concept, then again in the practice of the concept, and again as a final review. It is a nice three for one creation deal! This would be great for teaching Latin prefixes and suffixes of words. Use for science terms, or standardized test preparation. Try having students create flashcards and share with each other to quiz themselves within their own groups. Teach students in higher grades how to create flash cards with multiple blanks to challenge their brain to remember more pieces of the puzzle. Show them how to carefully read through classroom notes and underline the most important word or words in a sentence. Then have them leave out the most important words for their flashcards. Learning support teachers might want to have small groups create cards together to review before tests. Have students create flashcard sets to "test" classmates on what they "teach" in oral reports. Be sure to check the data base for already created sets to save you time making them yourself!Varsity Tutors - Free Learning Tools - Varsity Tutors
Grades
9 to 12Free Learning Tools is an excellent resource for practice tests, flashcards and a question of the day for upper level mathematics. View topics in alphabetical order from Accuplacer...more
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Free Learning Tools is an excellent resource for practice tests, flashcards and a question of the day for upper level mathematics. View topics in alphabetical order from Accuplacer Arithmetic Tests through VTNE Tests. Some topics contain several tests such as the SAT Math Tests which contain 46 tests Some topics only include one test. In addition to the test, view the test's difficulty level and average time spent to complete. Each topic also includes flashcards for quick review. Flashcards contain a problem, multiple choice answers, the solution, and an explanation for the correct answer.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): advanced placement (26), flash cards (43), test prep (69)
In the Classroom
Use Free Practice Tests flashcards on your interactive whiteboard (or projector) to practice standardized testing material. Display the problem of the day on your interactive whiteboard as a class warm-up. Have students complete the problem of the day at home for daily homework. Be sure to share a link to the site on your class webpage or blog for students to use for at-home practice. Be aware this site advertises for tutors. However it isn't necessary to register or be a tutor to use materials on the site.ProcessOn - ProcessOn.com
Grades
7 to 12Create diagrams, flowcharts, organizational charts, and more using ProcessOn. After a short registration process, create your diagram using templates provided or start from scratch....more
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Create diagrams, flowcharts, organizational charts, and more using ProcessOn. After a short registration process, create your diagram using templates provided or start from scratch. Creation tools are similar to Microsoft Word setup, allowing easy personalization with colors, shapes, text, images, and more. Easily collaborate using tools such as an online chat. Click the Invite Collaborators link to send an invitation. Save files on the site or download directly to your computer.
tag(s): charts and graphs (169), concept mapping (15), graphic organizers (49), venn diagrams (15)