Study Skills for Grades 4-5

• Before you read the story...take a quick look at the questions.  They tell you what to look for as you read!

• If you see a new word, use the words around it as clues.  They will help you figure out what the new word means.

• Read all your answer choices before you decide.  Sometimes the last choice is best.

• Cross out silly answer choices to help get you closer to the right answer.

• Be able to prove your answers by finding and highlighting information in the story.

• If you see a name in the passage you can't read, just say your name instead.

• Stuck on a hard question?  Skip it and move on.  Come back to it later if time allows.

• Use picture clues.

• Read the complete question and the answers.

• Eliminate the answers you know are incorrect.

• Look for qualifiers, such as never, always, or all of the above.

• Prepare for the test. Nothing can substitute for studying and paying attention in class.

• Write your answers in simple, telegraphic sentences.

• Use your common sense when you guess.

• Spell correctly.

• Write neatly. It does affect your grade.

• Check the points assigned to each question. Divide your time accordingly.

• Answer every question. You can always add more to a question if you have extra time.

• Make a brief outline of the question. • Pay attention to the key words, such as compare,

contrast, criticize, and etc.• Use the five paragraph essay.

– 1st – State your point.– 2nd – 4th – Prove your point.– 5th – Summarize your point.

• Keep up with your readings and assignments in class.

• Read the questions carefully.

• Make good use of time.

• Don’t over-answer.

• Every part of the sentence must be true.

• Absolute words, such as no, never, none, always, entirely, only, imply that a statement must be true 100% of the time and usually indicates a false answer.

• Qualifiers, such as sometimes, often, frequently, ordinarily, generally, usually indicates true answers.

• Make up stories and write them down.

• Use the punctuation marks when you read, they make a difference in the meaning.

• Turn on the closed caption on your TV and turn off the sound.

• Read! Read! Read! Read! Read!

• Read aloud to someone.

• Read different types of books and magazines. Find out what you like.

www.eduplace.com/kids/mw/g_4.html

www.eduplace.com/kids/mw/g_5.html

• Make word problems a priority. Visualize the word problem in your mind as you work.

• Learn how to estimate.• Make sure the answer makes sense. Rule

out outrageous answers. This is called number sense.

• Learn how to do mental math. Figure out problems in your head.

• www.colorincolorado.org/home/funways.html

• www.westampton.k12.nj.us/datkinson/test_taking_tips.htm

• www.eduplace.com/kids/mw/g_4.html

• www.eduplace.com/kids/mw/g_5.html

• www.mathpower.com/tip4.htm• Teacher.scholastic.com/

professional/assessment/nopain.htm

• www.studygs.net/tsttak3.htm• Clip art from :• www.animationlibrary.com• www.bellsnwhistles.com• www.kidsdomain.com• www.bravenet.com