How to revise?

[TobikkoRoll]

Reading another thread, a poster talked about their kids not knowing how to revise. My DD in yr 7 is approaching her first set of school exams (end of year) and I don't know that she knows how to revise either.

So what are the best revision techniques? That she will listen to, from me? How can I encourage her to drill herself with her French vocab etc?? She's a fast learner but as a pre-teen, won't be told (anything) by me at the moment. Advice welcomed

[TeenAndTween]

There are loads of techniques. Need to try a few out and see what works.

Generally Active revision works better than Passive.

So instead of staring blankly at the book

• try reading, then writing out a list of the key points
• make mind maps of key facts, then write again from memory
• do practice questions or essays
• use BBC bitesize
• get Mum to test you
• use notes cards to summarize key stuff
• use highlighters to highlight key stuff

Make a timetable to make sure all subjects get time, not just your favourites or the first one.

Maximum of around 45mins per revision session (maybe even less to start with) then have a short break.

Set a goal for each session: Not 'Revise Physics', but 'learn the life of stars'.

hth

Can you ask her questions like

• what do you need to know for each subject
• how much time do you think it will take
• how well do you want to do
• how will you feel if you come bottom in your set
• how much time do you think you should spend each day
• can you make a timetable (even if it adjusted as you go along)

[Issie339]

Hi. I always found it useful to write revision notes out, the act of writing it out made it stick in my head. Revise in 30-60min chunks with a short break in between. Also, I always listened to the radio or music when revising so let her have music on if she wants, I found it helped (4 A's at a-level and first class honours degree so seemed to work!)

Also, don't worry too much, part of the reason they start end of year exams from year 7 is so kids have the chance to learn what revision tactics work for them before the stakes get higher (GCSEs etc). Hope thats helpful!

[TheFirstOfHerName]

I think it might have been me, and this is what I encouraged them to do:

1. Make a list of what topics need covering, so they can see what there is to do, break it down into manageable chunks, and not feel overwhelmed.

1. Try to learn the material in whichever way suits their learning style and the material. Flashcards seem to work for MFL vocabulary; cause and effect tables can work for History; practice essay plans & PEE tables can be useful for English Literature.

1. Try some practice questions at the appropriate level e.g. past KS3 papers or GCSE papers. This is essential for revising Maths, and very useful for Science and other subjects.

1. Mark what you have done, using the given mark scheme, to see what the examiners were actually looking for.

1. Repetition, with breaks in between, seems to be the most effective way to get information to stick.

1. If there isn't time to cover everything, encourage them to do a traffic light rating for each topic (green = confident, amber = not sure, red = no idea) and tackle the red topics first.

[TobikkoRoll]

TheFirst Yes it was you on the other thread What are PEE tables please?

Thanks for some great ideas. I'll run some pass her and see if she'll tolerate any of them...

[TeenAndTween]

PEE - very important skill. Point Evidence Explain

Point: Ed Milliband was considered too 'geeky' by some people.
Evidence. For example his posh voice (accent like the queen) and complicated language 'interdependency', 'discombobulated' put off work class voters.
Explain. Some working class voters felt that his accent and vocabulary made him unrepresentative of them, and they would have preferred someone less intellectual, and more down to earth, which is why they then voted for UKIP.

[TobikkoRoll]

Thanks T&T.

[wineoclockthanks]

Very interesting info, thank you all.