Watkins Mill HS - Study Skills Handbook

Social Studyies Department


Reading Skills

  • Taking notes from textbooks

    • Skim section being read Locate main ideas, sub-points, and direction words Paraphrase information on your notes, use only enough detail to understand Designate binger or notebook per subject

  • Learning from multiple sources

    • Sources include: textbook, lectures, original material, duplicate/handouts, interviews/biographies, fictional stories/novels, electronic media, and Internet!

    Reading/Understanding Essays

  • Essay Test

    • Read EVERY question carefully Circle direction words before answering Do what the question asks to be done If you are uncertain, ASK FOR HELP!

  • Essay Articles

    • Observe title/date written, and author Prior knowledge Mark important/factual information Reflect over what was learned and how it relates to previous knowledge!

  • Difficult Material

    • Scan section Read through summary at end of chapter Mark what isn’t understood to review later Look up words not understood Read to the end

    Speed and Comprehension

    Reading rates differ depending on test, fiction can usually be read quicker, whereas a science book takes longer because you have to RETAIN the information!

  • To better comprehend:

    • Scan the chapter first Read the 1st sentence of each paragraph Take notes on the headings and 1st sentence! Marking and Underlining Notes Read one Section at a time Review the section Underline or highlight ONLY main subjects, characters, examples of main ideas, unfamiliar vocabulary words, and/or definitions.