Warm-Up: Study Skill Brainstorm

Think about how you study or prepare for tests and assignments. What strategies do you use? What have you heard other successful students do? List as many study skills as you can below!

What are some challenges you face when studying or trying to learn new material?

Teacher Script: Your Study Superpowers!

Warm-Up: Brainstorming Study Skills (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Let's kick off our class today with a quick warm-up. I'm handing out a sheet called Warm-Up: Study Skill Brainstorm. On this sheet, I want you to take about three minutes to write down any study skills you already use or have heard about. What helps you learn? What helps you remember things? What do successful students do? Just jot down whatever comes to mind."

(Distribute warm-up sheets. Give students 3 minutes to write.)

Teacher: "Alright, let's hear some of your ideas! Who'd like to share a study skill they wrote down?" (Call on a few students. Briefly discuss their answers.) "Excellent! It sounds like many of you already have some great strategies. Today, we're going to build on those and add even more 'superpowers' to your academic toolkit!"

Introduction: Unlock Your Superpowers! (2 minutes)

(Display Your Study Superpowers! Slide Deck - Slide 1: Your Study Superpowers!)

Teacher: "Today's lesson is all about unlocking your 'Study Superpowers!' We're going to explore powerful strategies that will not only help you boost your grades but also make learning more effective and, dare I say, even enjoyable!"

(Display Your Study Superpowers! Slide Deck - Slide 2: Why Are We Here Today?)

Teacher: "Why are these superpowers so important? Because they will help you to boost your grades, understand topics better, feel more confident in class, and crucially, know how to get help when you need it. This isn't just for 7th grade; these are skills you'll use throughout high school, college, and even in your future careers."

Exploring Study Skills (8 minutes)

(Display Your Study Superpowers! Slide Deck - Slide 3: Study Superpower #1: Smart Study Skills)

Teacher: "Our first set of superpowers focuses on smart study skills. These are the tools and strategies that help your brain absorb, process, and remember information effectively."

(Display Your Study Superpowers! Slide Deck - Slide 4: Active Reading & Note-Taking)

Teacher: "First up: Active Reading & Note-Taking. How many of you just read a chapter and then realize you don't remember much of it?" (Wait for hands/responses) "It happens to all of us! That's why active reading is key. It means you don't just let your eyes scan the words; you engage with the text. This could mean highlighting key ideas, asking questions in your head or on the page, or even summarizing paragraphs in your own words as you go. You're having a conversation with the book!"

"And what about note-taking? Instead of trying to write down everything the teacher says or that's in your textbook, try to focus on the main points. Use bullet points, symbols, and abbreviations. Organize your notes so they make sense to you later. Good notes are like your personal textbook summary."

(Display Your Study Superpowers! Slide Deck - Slide 5: Time Management & Organization)

Teacher: "Next, Time Management & Organization. This might be one of the most powerful superpowers! How many of you sometimes feel overwhelmed by all your assignments?" (Wait for hands/responses) "Using a planner or calendar isn't just for adults. It helps you see everything you need to do and plan your time. A huge strategy is to break big tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Instead of 'Write an essay,' think 'Research topic,' 'Write introduction,' 'Write body paragraph 1,' etc. Small steps are less scary and easier to start."

"Also, create your study zone. Find a quiet place where you won't be easily distracted. Before you start, gather all your materials – books, pens, laptop, water. This saves time and keeps you focused."

(Display Your Study Superpowers! Slide Deck - Slide 6: More Study Superpowers!)

Teacher: "There are many more study superpowers! Like summarizing – can you explain the main idea of what you just learned in a few sentences? Or using flashcards for vocabulary and facts. A really effective one is to teach it to someone else; if you can explain a concept to a friend or family member, it means you truly understand it!"

Mastering Self-Advocacy (8 minutes)

(Display Your Study Superpowers! Slide Deck - Slide 7: Study Superpower #2: Self-Advocacy)

Teacher: "Our second major superpower is Self-Advocacy. This means speaking up for yourself and your needs. It's about letting others know what you need to succeed in school. It could be asking for more time on an assignment, asking for a concept to be explained differently, or simply asking for extra help."

(Display Your Study Superpowers! Slide Deck - Slide 8: How to Advocate for Yourself)

Teacher: "So, how do you do it effectively? First, identify your need. Be clear about what you don't understand or what help you need. Is it a specific math problem? A certain historical event? Then, choose the right time. Don't interrupt class in the middle of a lecture. Maybe it's after class, during office hours, or sending a polite email. And finally, be specific. Instead of saying, 'I don't get anything in history,' try, 'Mrs./Mr. [Teacher's Name], I'm having trouble understanding the causes of the American Revolution. Could you explain the role of taxation without representation again?' That's much more helpful."

(Display Your Study Superpowers! Slide Deck - Slide 9: Asking for Help is a Strength!)

Teacher: "Remember, asking for help is not a weakness; it's a huge strength! It shows your teachers that you are responsible, proactive, and committed to your learning. We, your teachers, want to help you succeed! We just need to know how and when you need that help."

Practice & Application (5 minutes)

(Display Your Study Superpowers! Slide Deck - Slide 10: Time to Practice!)

Teacher: "Now it's your turn to practice using these superpowers! I'm going to hand out the Study Skills & Self-Advocacy Worksheet. You'll have about 5 minutes to complete it. Part 1 asks you to reflect on your current study habits, and Part 2 gives you some scenarios to practice your self-advocacy skills."

(Distribute worksheets. Monitor students as they work. After 5 minutes, briefly review a few answers from each section, encouraging students to share their thoughts and strategies.)

Teacher: "Great job everyone! It's clear you're thinking critically about how to take charge of your learning."

Cool Down: My Advocacy Action Plan (2 minutes)

(Display Your Study Superpowers! Slide Deck - Slide 11: Unleash Your Superpowers!)

Teacher: "To wrap up our lesson, I have a quick exit ticket for you called Cool Down: My Advocacy Action Plan. On this sheet, I want you to write down one study skill you will try this week and one self-advocacy step you will take if you need help. Also, quickly reflect on why asking for help is important."

"As you leave today, remember: you now have a fantastic toolkit of study skills and self-advocacy strategies. Go forth and be a study superhero! Please turn in your cool-down sheets as you leave."

*(Collect cool-down sheets as students exit.)"

Study Skills & Self-Advocacy Worksheet

Part 1: Study Skills Check-Up

For each study skill, rate how often you use it (Never, Sometimes, Often, Always) and explain why it helps or why you don't use it much.

1. Active Reading (highlighting, note-taking in margins, questioning):

   • Rating:
     
     
     
   • Why?
     
     
     
     
     

2. Organized Note-Taking (bullet points, summaries, symbols):

   • Rating:
     
     
     
   • Why?
     
     
     
     
     

3. Time Management (using a planner, breaking down tasks):

   • Rating:
     
     
     
   • Why?
     
     
     
     
     

4. Creating a Study Zone (quiet, distraction-free space):

   • Rating:
     
     
     
   • Why?
     
     
     
     
     

Part 2: Self-Advocacy Scenarios

Read each scenario and write down how you would advocate for yourself.

1. You don't understand a topic in Math class, and the teacher just finished explaining it. What would you say or do?

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. You missed a day of school and are worried about catching up on the missed material and assignments. How would you approach your teacher?

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. You studied really hard for a test, but you still got a low grade. You're not sure what went wrong. What could you ask your teacher?

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 3: Personal Superpower Pledge

Which ONE study skill from today's lesson do you commit to trying or improving this week?

Which ONE self-advocacy step will you practice this week?

Cool Down: My Advocacy Action Plan

Name: ________________________

Date: _________________________

1. My New Study Superpower: One new study skill I will try to use this week is:

   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. My Self-Advocacy Step: If I need help or don't understand something this week, one specific step I will take to advocate for myself is:

   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Why is it important to ask for help?