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Study Skills Safari

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Lesson Plan

Study Superstars Plan

Students will learn and apply three key study skills—organizing materials, managing time, and taking effective notes—to build confidence and improve their independent learning routines.

Early mastery of study strategies promotes academic success, reduces stress, and empowers students to take ownership of their learning across subjects.

Audience

3rd Grade

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Hands-on activities, guided practice, and reflection

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials and Space

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Display the Study Superstars Slide Deck and introduce the three focus areas: organization, time management, and note-taking.
  • Ask students to share one way they currently organize or study.
  • Highlight how good study skills help them feel confident and prepared.

Step 2

Organizing Materials Activity

10 minutes

  • Distribute the Study Skills Checklist.
  • In pairs, students sort a mixed pile of school supplies (folders, notebooks, pencils) into labeled bins.
  • Students check off the items on their checklist and discuss why each belongs in its place.

Step 3

Time Management Activity

10 minutes

  • Hand out the Time Management Worksheet.
  • Model filling in a simple after-school schedule with hypothetical tasks and times.
  • Students sketch their own 30-minute study block and set goals using the worksheet.
  • Use the classroom timer to simulate a timed study session.

Step 4

Note-Taking Activity

10 minutes

  • Introduce the Note-Taking Template and explain main idea, details, and questions sections.
  • Show a short 2-minute story or slideshow clip; students take guided notes.
  • In small groups, students compare notes and refine their templates.

Step 5

Reflection and Wrap-up

10 minutes

  • Bring the class back together and ask volunteers to name one new strategy they’ll use.
  • Students complete a sticky-note exit ticket: one thing they’ll keep doing and one thing to improve.
  • Collect exit tickets; remind students to use their new tools at home and in class.
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Slide Deck

Study Superstars

Mastering Study Skills for Success!

Welcome everyone! Today we’re kicking off our Study Superstars adventure. Introduce yourself and explain that over the next 45 minutes, students will learn three important study skills.

What We’ll Learn

– Organizing materials
– Managing time
– Taking effective notes

Read aloud the objectives. Ask students to watch for these goals as you go.

Why Study Skills Matter

Good study habits help you:
• Find your things easily
• Use time wisely
• Remember important details
• Feel confident in class

Discuss why study skills matter. Invite students to share a time they felt frustrated looking for a missing pencil or running out of time.

Today’s Focus Areas

  1. Organizing Materials
  2. Time Management
  3. Note-Taking

Give a quick overview of the three focus areas and explain how each builds on the others.

Skill #1: Organizing Materials

• Keep binders, notebooks, and pencils sorted
• Use labels and checklists to stay on track
• Resource: Study Skills Checklist

Introduce organizing materials. Show a messy desk vs. a neatly organized desk image if possible.

Organizing Materials Activity

In pairs:

  1. Sort a mixed pile of supplies into labeled bins
  2. Check off items on your Study Skills Checklist
  3. Discuss why each item belongs where it does

Explain the hands-on activity. Model sorting one item, then let partners begin.

Skill #2: Time Management

• Plan study time so you finish tasks
• Break work into chunks
• Use timers to stay focused
• Resource: Time Management Worksheet

Transition: organizing helps you find things; now learn how to manage your study time.

Time Management Activity

  1. Fill in an after-school schedule
  2. Plan a 30-minute study block on your Time Management Worksheet
  3. Set two study goals
  4. Practice with a timer!

Walk through one example in real time, then let students complete their own schedule.

Skill #3: Note-Taking

• Capture main ideas and details
• Use headings: Main Idea, Details, Questions
• Resource: Note-Taking Template

Explain how good notes help memory and review. Show an example of a filled template.

Tell students to write notes on their template as they watch the clip. Start the video and keep the volume at a good level.

Compare & Improve Notes

In groups of 3:

  1. Share your notes
  2. Add any missing details
  3. Update your Note-Taking Template

Have students form groups of three. Circulate to prompt discussion and ensure everyone contributes.

Reflection & Wrap-Up

Write on a sticky note:
• One strategy you’ll keep using
• One thing you’ll improve
Place your sticky note on the board

Guide reflection. Remind students there are no wrong answers. Collect sticky notes at the end.

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Worksheet

Study Skills Checklist

Use this checklist to organize your materials. For each item:

  • Check Yes if it’s in the right place; No if it’s missing or in the wrong place.
  • Write one reason why this item belongs in your organized bin.
  1. Binder
    Check sorted: Yes [ ] No [ ]
    Why does this belong here?





  2. Notebook
    Check sorted: Yes [ ] No [ ]
    Why does this belong here?





  3. Pencil
    Check sorted: Yes [ ] No [ ]
    Why does this belong here?





  4. Eraser
    Check sorted: Yes [ ] No [ ]
    Why does this belong here?





  5. Colored Pencils or Markers
    Check sorted: Yes [ ] No [ ]
    Why does this belong here?





  6. Sticky Notes
    Check sorted: Yes [ ] No [ ]
    Why does this belong here?





When you’ve finished, share your checklist with a partner and discuss any items that might need to be moved or relabeled.

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Worksheet

Time Management Worksheet

Part A: After-School Schedule

Fill in what you do after school.

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM: ________



3:30 PM – 4:00 PM: ________



4:00 PM – 4:30 PM: ________



4:30 PM – 5:00 PM: ________


Part B: Plan Your 30-Minute Study Block

Below is a simple timeline showing 3:00 to 4:00 PM:

3:00 ── 3:15 ── 3:30 ── 3:45 ── 4:00

Use a bracket [ ] to mark your 30-minute study block on the line above.

Start time: ________



End time: ________



What will you work on during this block? ________


Part C: Set Two Study Goals

  1. ________


  2. ________


Part D: Timer Check

Did you finish your goals in 30 minutes? Yes [ ] No [ ]

If no, what slowed you down? ________





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Worksheet

Note-Taking Template

Use this template to capture key points as you read or watch. Write clearly so you can review later!

Main Idea

What is the big picture or main point?







Important Details

List three important facts or details:













Questions I Have

Write any questions or things you wonder about:













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Warm Up

Study Chat Warm-Up

Time: 5 minutes

Purpose: Activate students’ prior knowledge about how they study now and get them ready to learn new strategies.

Directions

  1. Think (1 minute)On your paper, write your answers to these two prompts:











    1. Challenge I face when I study:
    1. Study habit I already use:
  2. Pair (2 minutes)Turn to a partner and share your habit and your challenge. Listen carefully—your partner might give you an idea you can try later!
  3. Share (2 minutes)I’ll invite a few volunteers to share one habit and one challenge with the whole class. As you listen, think about how today’s lesson on organizing, time management, and note-taking might help.

Materials: Blank paper or notebook, pencil

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Cool Down

Sticky Note Exit

Time: 5 minutes

Directions:

  1. On a sticky note, write:
    • Keep: One strategy I’ll keep using:





    • Improve: One study habit I want to improve:





  2. Place your sticky note on the board as you leave.

Purpose: Reflect on today’s study skills and set a goal for your next learning session.

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