Why I Don't Go Over Study Guides The Day Before A Test...And What I Do Instead

What's going to be on the test?

What do I need to know?

How should I study?

All of the questions above, often asked by students, lead me to believe that study guides are an important resource students can use to prepare for a test. 

School is boring...

I already know this stuff...

Do we have to...

Blah Blah Blah...

All of the statements above, also often said or implied by students, lead me to believe study guides aren't something that should be an automatic thing to merely "go over" the day before a test.

There are very few words that peak the interest of students more than the phrase "extra credit". Somehow, if you call something homework, depending on who you teach, many of the kids simply won't do it. But, the minute you call something "extra credit" they decide it's totally worth it. So,  taking the idea from my clinical instructor, I assign the study guide as an extra credit opportunity for my students. I provide about 8-12 pages of graphics, maps, charts, fill-in-the-blanks, open-ended questions, etc. for students to answer at home to prepare for the test.

I assign the extra credit study guide a week before every test to allow plenty of time for students to complete it at home. I give up to 10% of extra credit on tests. So, that if my test is worth 100 points, they can earn up to 10 points. However, if a student does only half, I give them 5 points. And if a student does just one page of the study guide, they'll get 1 or 2 points, etc.  I don't grade the study guide for accuracy, but rather for completion...the accuracy grade comes in to play on the test!

Providing the study guide to students ahead of time also let's them know what's on the test and gives them a way to prepare. It gives them an opportunity to grow in responsibility and organization as they must keep track of the extra credit for a whole week. But, it also frees up the day before the test to play review games or delve deeper into the content, rather than go over the study guide as a class or do mundane review sheets. Let's face it: many of your kids know the material and we are failing to meet their needs if they are bored out of their minds going over the study guides.

Instead, we can meet their needs by reviewing in challenging and engaging ways, using movement and high energy, building and strengthening relationships, and ensuring students know the material at the same time.  I would encourage you to read some of my previous posts to learn more about the games we play:

Minute to Win It 
Jeopardy
Monopoly
Name That Term
Fish Bowl

I will also be writing about some other review games as time marches on...