Do what you always do get what you

Do what you always do, get what you always get

Your brain is a sleeping giant Tony Buzan author of Use Your Head

Every child has, at birth, a greater potential intelligence than Leonardo Da Vinci ever used

At best, IQ contributes 20% to the factors that determine life success, which leaves 80% to other forces: forces grouped as emotional intelligence Daniel Goleman Emotional Intelligence

We Learn 10% of what we read 20% of what we hear 30% of what we see 50% of what we see & hear 70% of what we say 90% of what we say and do Vernon A Magnesen

Vertical thinking is digging the same hole deeper. Lateral thinking is trying again elsewhere Edward de Bono originator of Lateral Thinking

Parents Play A Part Assisting Your Child to Success At GCSE Eirias High School

TONIGHT’S PROGRAMME Elspeth Crombie A Parent’s Guide- Study Support Phil Mc. Tague Revision Support John Mullarkey Revision Strategies Ian Gerrard Introduction to the VI Form

A Parents’ Survival Guide Mrs Elspeth Crombie Deputy Head

What are GCSE exams? • GCSEs are exams that are taken by pupils usually in Year 11 • The exams are set by external examination boards who set the syllabus and methods of assessment • Some pupils maybe following a Vocational GCSE. They are of full equivalence to the traditional GCSE • The exam is usually made up of two parts – The formal exam and coursework • GCSEs are graded from A*- G. Failure to complete either section of the exam may result in an unclassified grade

Coursework

Coursework – For pupils • Coursework will be made up from a combination of taught lessons, fieldwork practical work and independent study. • Access to variety of sources e. g. in house materials, textbooks, library, internet, film and video can be used to support the coursework. • Tasks completed in class will support students. Homework may include writing / typing up. • Use will be made of mark schemes to enable students to assess their own work.

Coursework –For Parents • Coursework is an important component of all courses • Between 20% and 60% of the final grade can be gained from coursework marks • Show an interest in the tasks set and offer assistance by Ø Discussing your child’s approach to planning and meeting deadlines Ø Helping to locate necessary resources Ø Proof-reading draft materials Ø Checking Spelling Punctuation Grammar Readability Relevance

A Word About Plagiarism • Work submitted by pupils must be all their own work • Pupils know that they are not permitted to cut and paste/ directly copy work from books, the internet and other source • The consequences of pupils copying work is that they may be disqualified from their exam in that and other subjects set by the board

Preparing for the Exams

What can parents do? ü ü ü ü ü Provide support Avoid anxiety Talk to your child Show pupils how to get help Set targets Plan a revision programme together Build self confidence Reward progress and achievement (bribery does work) Contact the school for information or progress updates Keep an eye open for distractions!!

Distractions for boys!

Distractions for girls!

A parents guide – Study support Provide the environment for revision A quiet comfortable room Access to books and materials Away from the TV and other distractions Keep an eye on your child's social calendar Working in a job outside school can be a distraction and it takes up time ü A balanced diet –the burger and chips problem ü Try to encourage exercise “All work and no play“ ü ü ü

Most of all ü Be patient and ü Don’t nag!!!

How else to prepare? • Look closely at the Progress report ( 16. 10. 09) and Annual Report (issued 13 th January) and discuss it with your son/daughter. • Make every effort to attend the Parents’ Evening on 27 th January • Ensure a high attendance rate to school is achieved (95% as a minimum) • Ensure attendance at the Grade Improvement Classes(start 8. 3. 10) • Identify + purchase revision guides (These may be offered at a reduced price in school) • Reduce part-time employment hours

Using your Brain Mr Phil Mc. Tague Headteacher

The more you link the more you learn Jeannette Vos Learning Revolution

Brain Gym 1. Stand up and, by raising your knees alternately, touch each hand to the opposite knee 2. Do this ten times whenever stressed Recommended by educational kinesiologists to integrate both sides of the brain

Reptilian-instincts Cortex-thinking Mammalian-emotions

English one two three four five six seven eight nine ten Japanese (spelling) ichi ni san shi go roco shichi hachi kyu ju Sound itchy knee sun she go rock shi-chi hat-chi coo Jew

REMEMBER TO…. . • Reward progress and achievement • Be available and willing to listen • Say “DO” not “DON’T”

Revision Techniques Mr John Mullarkey Deputy Head

Learning by Heart Some things you just have to learn … Chemical Formulae, Historical dates, Spellings, Quotations etc. H 2 SO 4 Na HCO 3 Check you have learnt it by ¨Looking ¨Covering, ¨Writing and then ¨Checking Rote learning should be kept to a minimum 1066 Hasting 1666 Fire of London 1815 Waterloo Their There They’re Alas, Poor Yorrick I knew him well

Mnemonics or Memory Joggers All the better if you can set to music Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain For remembering the colours of the rainbow Brian’s Clouted Only If He’s Naughty (Less easy but all these elements have two atoms in its formula)

Crib Cards Crib cards are postcard sized and can be used to condense a lot of information. Increasingly Post It notes are being used. These can be stuck up all around the house. A range of different techniques can be used on crib cards

Notes and tables River Processes A Corrosion Chemical action caused by acid in water B Attrition Wearing down as stones rub against sides C Hydraulic Action The sheer force of water D Corrasion The force of stones hitting the banks E Deposition The dumping of carried material; Stage Profile Landfor ms Process Upper Waterfalls Potholes Rapids A, B, C, D Middle Meanders Interlocking spurs Floodplains All Lower Ox Bow lakes Levees Deltas C, D, E E E

Weighing up an argument The pros and cons of using a credit card Advantages Disadvantages • Wide range of outlets available • Buy now, pay later • Convenience of payment • Security, no cash • Perks e. g. Insurance, gift scheme • Need a good credit record • Interest charged after time allowed for repayment • Minimum Age Usually 18 • High interest rates • Risk of fraud

Mind Maps

Links to the Sixth Form Mr Ian Gerrard Deputy Head

Welcome to the Sixth Form. . . At Eirias High School we offer: • An outstanding record of academic success • A wide range of courses - A level vocational and WBQ • High quality pastoral care and guidance • Expert direction on the route to Higher Education

Remember. . . . Sixth Form Opportunities Evening Wednesday 13 th January at 7. 00 pm (the same day as reports are issued) The evening offers an opportunity to discuss the courses on offer in the Sixth Form with subject teachers and students already on the course

Strategies for Learning Parents Evening Eirias High School