Theme 1 | Page 197

CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR S.C. TEACHER CADET COURSE | EXPERIENCING EDUCATION, TENTH EDITION Study Time • Set aside a regular study time approximately five times a week. • Help children organize assignments and budget time for completion. • Allow children to rest or play after school and prior to studying. Many want to study late afternoons or early evenings. • Set a limit on extracurricular activities if they interfere with studying time. • Encourage step-by-step work on long-term projects to avoid last-minute careless work. • Keep in mind that one hour of concentrated studying is better than two hours full of distractions and interruptions. • Plan for study breaks. The age of the student will determine how long he/she can concentrate before a rest is needed. A kitchen timer or alarm clock can be used to signal break time. Another method is listing the tasks to be done and planning a short break after each is completed. • Arrange a telephone time when children can receive and make calls. Designate someone to take the number of anyone calling during study time. After lessons are completed, children can return the phone calls. Study Area • Provide an area for the child to study that is away from the center of activity in the home. • Provide study tools including pencils, sharpener, pen, paper, ruler, and dictionary. • Cut down on TV time and turn off the radio while children are studying. • Have good lighting. No less than a 100-watt bulb should be used for studying. • Select a comfortable room temperature. A room on the cool side is usually better than one that is too hot. • Clear the table or desk to have enough space for writing; it should be free of distractions. • Consider posture. Sitting in a comfortable chair usually helps a student stay alert; however, lying down may be so relaxing that it interferes with concentration. • Create flashcards to be used for definitions, dates, names, facts, formulas, and vocabulary. Communication with Teachers • Be aware of homework assignments and sign homework assignment sheets. • Talk to teachers to make sure the work is being done. • Meet regularly with children’s teachers. • Don’t wait for teachers to call with problems. Watch out for slip-ups and intervene strategically if they occur. PAGE I – 3 -60 Theme I: Experiencing Learning Unit 3: Growth and Development Modeling • Read at the same time children are studying; create a sort of “study hour” for the whole family. • Show interest in reading, writing, and learning to demonstrate the value of knowledge and education. • Expr