Many studies have correlated lower functioning students with anti social behavior, drug abuse, gangs, and dropping out. Few studies mention the high levels of creativity, intelligence, and entrepreneurship that can be found amongst these youths once they learn specific skills. Thus our goal is to highlight these strengths and abilities. 

Our 12-week program provides students with an interactive opportunity to gain study strategies and further their growth as a student and as an individual. It strives to teach our students to identify their own personal learning styles and to be able to implement them in a matter that will allow them to retain information more effectively. Our program emphasizes that the students are taught new tools and strategies that will enable them to become organized, manage their time, follow directions, as well as individual techniques to effectively study and take tests. These are the primary focus of the sessions. Our Study Skills Program teaches students how to effectively complete academic tasks, the ability to deal with conflict, and the ability to negotiate and compromise within a team. 

A parental guide is available to support the children.

Program Outline.

Topic 1: Self-Esteem

This week is designed to help identify the children’s own self.

     - Who are they? 

     - What are their strengths and weaknesses?

     - How do we put this knowledge to use?

Topic 2: Styles of learning

The children will have the opportunity to discover what style (auditory, visual and kinetic) they learn best and how it affects their lives.

Topic 3: Teamwork (Individual Roles and Basic Group Dynamics)

The importance of teamwork as it relates to learning styles will include activities to show our participants how to become an effective team member.

Topic 4: Listening & Following Directions

Students will learn the importance of listening and following directions through an interactive activity. Topics such as body language and emotions will be discussed.

Topic 5: Organization

Students will be provided with the tools and strategies on how to become an organized learner. Focus will be placed on routines, desks, and lockers. 

Topic 6: Time Management

This session will focus on teaching new ways to set priorities, create timetables for projects and make appropriate time management decisions.

Topic 7: Note Taking

This session outlines techniques to show how we take notes both from a book or article. Emphasis will be placed on strategies such as highlighting, scanning, key words, webbing and the 5 W’s in order to create efficient notes.

Topic 8: Developing Your Personalized Study Space

Each student will develop their own study corner based on their individual needs. Minimizing distractions and having the right materials needed to study will be our focus to create an environment that encourages students to study.

Topic 9: Effective Studying Techniques

This presentation will include ways to improve memory and teach children how to study. Strategies such as pictures, the use of rhyme, songs and other methods will be offered.

Topic 10: Test taking

To become good students we need to become good test takers.  Strategies such as relaxation techniques, reviewing, exploring the various types of tests and test tricks will be taught.

Topic 11: Homework

This session will provide new tips on organizing homework material, setting time limits, how to establish study buddies, and how to do homework alone and in a group.

Topic 12: Wrap Up/Graduation

The children will be given a wrap up to firmly establish the various techniques that were taught during the program and how to implement them personally.