Revision Guide KS3 Work Hard Be Kind

Revision Guide KS3 Work Hard Be Kind

Contents Section 1: Importance of Revision Page 1 Introduction Page 2 Why is revision important? Section 2: Assessment and Grading Page 3 Assessment Calendar Page 4 Grading Section 3: Getting Started Page 5 Getting Started Page 6 Warm up your brain Section 4: Organising my Revision Page 7 Command Words Page 8/9 Revision Strategies Page 10 Knowledge Organisers Page 11 Revision planner Page 12 Extended Study Section 5: Subject Specific Information Page 13 Subject Specific Revision Planner Page 14 Useful Revision Websites Page 15 Keep Up Not Catch Up Section 6: Wellbeing and Support Page 16 Beat the Nerves Page 17 Before, during and after the exam Page 18 Who can I contact if I need support with my revision? Page 19 How can I support my child at home?

Introduction During your time at Toot Hill School you will complete a number of assessments which will provide information on the progress you are making. This booklet provides information to support you in preparing for each assessment so you can achieve the highest grade possible. Included in the booklet is information on revision strategies, key content for each subject and useful revision resources. Please look after this booklet. If you do lose this booklet, a copy can be downloaded from the Toot Hill School Website.

Why is revision important? It is important that you start your revision early so you have time to prepare for each exam. The diagram below shows the Forgetting Curve. The diagram below shows how memory retention declines in time if there has been no effort made to retain it. Linking to revision it is vital that you keep revisiting key content, improving your memory retention over time. If you cover a topic in Year 9 and do not revise it again until the end of Year 10 the chances are that you will have to relearn the topic again. However by regularly using the revision strategies in this guide, you can improve your memory retention by preparing for each exam over the three year GCSE journey. View your GCSE journey as a marathon, not a sprint! Don t wait until the end to cram all of the information. Revise over time!

Assessment Calendar at Toot Hill School Year Group Assessments Dates Year 7 Year 8

What level can I achieve in my assessments? It is important that you know what your Target Grades are for each subject. Remember your can exceed your Target Grade. The table below outlines the new grading structure. You will need to achieve a Grade 4 or above to secure a place at college. The entry requirement for a place at Toot Hill College is 4 or above in English and Maths and the subject which you would like to study.

Getting Started What is your target? Before you start your revision it is important that you decide on what you want to accomplish by the end of the revision session. Remember to set little targets within the time limit. Challenge yourself but try not to be unrealistic to avoid rushing and missing key points. Why are breaks important? It is sensible to plan in breaks during your revision time. You will start to lose focus if you revise for a long period of time without a rest. Aim to have at least a 15 minute break fro every 45 minutes of revision. Try to leave the room when you have your break so you are not tempted to look at your revision. What is your reward? When you have set your target and time frame think of a reward you could set yourself to enjoy when you have met this. An example might be enjoying a chocolate/sweets, playing on a computer game, socialising with friends. How much progress have you made? When you have finished your revision look over your progress/. Have you achieved what you planned to do? What is your target for your next revision session?

Warm up your brain Before you start revising, it is important that you are focused and ready to learn. The challenges below will help to warm up your brain... Height Arrangement Suppose you have 10 people with different heights in one row. Show that you can always remove 6 of them, so that the remaining 4 are arranged with respect to their heights (either increasing or decreasing) Balloon in a Car You are sitting in a motionless car, which is tightly sealed, i.e. no open windows, holes in the car, etc. A helium balloon on a string is tied to the floor. If you start accelerating the car, is the balloon going to move back, forward or stay in place? Water with Ice You have a glass of water and an ice cube floating in it. When the ice cube melts, will the water level increase, decrease or remain the same? Versatile Word What four letter word can be written forward, backward or upside down, and can still read from left to right? Spelling Bees and Feet Researchers have discovered strong positive correlation between performance in spelling bees and contestants shoe sizes. Can you find an explanation for this? Two Barbers There are only two barbers in one town. One of the barbers has a neat hair cut and a clean working place. The other barber s haircut is a total mess and his working place is dirty. Which barber would you choose to give you a hair cut and why? You can find more ideas to Warm Up your Brain at: http://www.puzzleprime.com/updates/?tag=science

Command Words During your exams you will be asked to demonstrate your subject knowledge in a range of different ways. It is important that you understand what the question is asking you to do so you can include the relevant information for each question. Describe Give a detailed account of a topic. Explain/Give Reason For/Account For Make a topic clear by describing it in more detail or revealing relevant facts. This could also include giving a practical example. Compare Estimate, measure, or note the similarity or dissimilarity between. Analyse Examine (something) methodically and in detail, typically in order to Clarify Make (a statement or situation) less confused and more comprehensi- Criticise Comment on the positive and negative aspects of a topic Demonstrate Clearly show the existence or truth of (something) by giving proof or Discuss Write about (a topic) in detail, taking into account different issues or Evaluate Explore Illustrate Interpret Justify Outline State Summarise Suggest Form an idea of the amount, number, or value of; assess. Inquire into or discuss (a subject) in detail. Provide the main points Explain the meaning of (information or actions). Discuss and provide evidence for or against a topic Give a summary of a topic Identify or express a topic clearly and factually. Give a brief statement of the main points of a topic Put forward for consideration. Speak to your subject teachers for subject specific command words

Revision Strategies There are several different revision techniques which you can use to revise. There is not a right or wrong way to revise. It is important that you use a technique that works for you. Revision Cards Use index cards to summarise key points for each topic. Only include key terms on the card. You can also write a question on one side of the card and answers on the other side to test yourself. Mind Maps Mind maps are a great way to link topics together. The subject is in the middle of the mind map and then use each branch for a different sub heading/key idea. Test and re-test Read the key information. Cover the information up so you cannot see it. Test yourself on how much you can remember. Post it notes Use post it notes to record key words or facts. If you are revising for History you could write key dates on each post it note. Stick the post it notes around the house where you will see them regularly. Videos and Apps Search on the internet for videos which explain key content. Websites such as BBC Bitesize and Maths Watch show videos to help explain difficult content. Apps are also available to download on your phone or tablet where you can test your subject knowledge through games or a quiz. Key word Log Keep a key word log and as you complete each topic, record the key words and definitions. When you revise you can look back through the key work log to ensure you impress the examiner with key terms. Exam Questions Apply your subject knowledge and exam technique to exam questions. Remember to check the mark scheme so you know how many marks you would achieve for each answer.

Revision Strategies Peer testing If you and your friends are revising for the same topic, test each other. Write down quick questions to ask each other. Your subject knowledge might be stronger in different topics and can support each other. Diagrams and flow charts Summarise key information through diagrams and flow charts. For example, when revising for GCSE PE you might include a flow chart for the route of blood through the heart. Revise listening to music Listen to music when revising to help you to focus. Music with 60-70 beats per minute is supposed to be the best to boost your long term memory Posters Use A3 poster paper to record key content. Use different coloured paper for each subject. Stick the posters up at home where you will see them regularly. Remember to include key terms, pictures and diagrams on the posters, not lots of writing. Highlighting If you are faced with a lot of content in a written text use a highlighter to highlight key points. This will make it easier to revise as you can quickly see the key content. Reading out loud Read the information out loud several times. Then try to recall the information without looking at the revision resource. This technique works well for French, German and Spanish.

Knowledge Organisers Knowledge Organisers are a useful revision tool which can be used to revise an upcoming topic or refresh your memory on a topic you covered early on in the course. You can use your Knowledge Organiser in a range of different ways: Highlight key points Test a partner on key dates Review key terms Write practice exam questions for each topic Use your organiser as a checklist. Which topics do you have strong subject knowledge in? Where do you need to further develop your subject knowledge? Your class teachers will be giving you Knowledge Organisers fro each topic. You can also download knowledge organisers from the Toot Hill School website. Follow the steps below:

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Revision Planner Remember for every 45 minutes of revision have a 15 minute break.

Extended Study You can use the space below to log the subject specific sessions which you attend in the lead up to your assessments. Remember to ask you teacher to stamp or sign the booklet. Day Which sessions can I attend? Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Subject Specific Revision Planner In the lead up to your assessments you must ask you class teachers for information on any specific content and support materials that you can use to support you with your revision.

Useful Revision Websites https://vle.mathswatch.co.uk/vle/ https://www.pearsonactivelearn.com/app/home https://www.bbc.com/education https://www.toothillschool.co.uk/page.php?d=keepup&p=intro Exam Board Websites As you approach your assessments it is a good idea to apply your subject knowledge to past exam papers. You can access past papers on the exam board websites below. It is important the you look on the correct website for each subject. http://www.ocr.org.uk/ https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/home.html Apps http://www.aqa.org.uk/

Keep Up Not Catch Up The Keep Up Not Catch Up page on the Toot Hill School website provides revision information which is specific for each subject. The revision information which is saved on the website has been uploaded by your teachers. Assessment timetables, checklists and practice exam questions can be downloaded to support you with your revision. Please follow the steps below to access this important revision information:

Beat the Nerves It is ok to feel nervous before an exam. Sometimes nerves can help you to perform better but it is important that you can keep calm so you can perform at your best! Visualisation Visit the exam room so you are familiar with the set up. Keep visualising the journey from your house to sitting in the exam. Breathing Empty your lungs out and hold on for as long as possible. Then breathe in slowly. Relaxation Start from the toes: Clench for ten seconds and R-E-L-A-X Move up the body, clenching and relaxing. Ask the key question Write down your concerns Prepare Are these worrying thoughts helpful? This immediately helps you to feel calmer and more objective Face the worst Start your revision early. This will help to avoid last minute worrying. Remember it s ok to feel worried What is the worst that could happen? How would you cope if that happened? How can you stop this from happening? Don t worry if you feel nervous. This probably means that you want to do well. Speak to someone you trust If you feel that you cannot cope with your nerves speak to an adult who you trust. This could be a parent/carer, teacher, your tutor, Head of Year.

Before, during and after the exam Before the exam Get a good nights sleep Exercise Eat breakfast Leave plenty of time to get to the exam Make sure you know where your exam is and at what time Avoid listening to negative comments Try to relax, listen to music, deep breathing etc During the exam: Read each question carefully Don t panic if you don t know the answer Attempt every question Plan your time Keep hydrated Check your answers After the exam: Don t worry if you have written different answers to your peers Try to forget about the exam you cannot change your answers now Have time to relax before focusing on the next exam.

Who can I contact if I need help with my revision? Tutor: Email: Head of Year: Email: Achievement Coordinator: Email: School Phone Number: 01949875550 School Website: www.toothillschool.co.uk

How can I support my child at home? Exam time can be a worrying time for your child and sometimes it can be difficult to know how you can help at home. There are lots of ways you can support your child during their exam time: Rewards: Work/Social Life: Support your child by Understand that whilst revision in important, it is also important for your child to have a break. providing rewards for revision. This could be something as simple as an extra 30 minutes on the xbox. Talking: Agree on a work/social life balance during exam time. Revision Resources: Booster Sessions: Support your child by providing revision resources. This could be text books or exam papers/knowledge organisers which can be downloaded from the school website. Can you support with your child attending any booster sessions? Please speak to your child s tutor for support which we may be able to offer with Revision Strategies: Breakfast: Support your child with the revision strategies in this guide. Test your child and give them a space where they can display revision posters and post it notes. Working environment : Exam time can be stressful Provide a quiet working envifor some students. Speak to ronment for revision. This your child about their day, should be away from any allow them to tell you about distractions like a phone, any worries they may have. xbox or TV. Heathy body healthy mind: Sleep pattern: Encourage your chid to have Avoid buying sugary drinks at least 8 hours sleep a night. and snacks. Encourage your Establish a bed time routine child to each healthy snacks, including no electronics 30 for example fruit and stay minutes before bed and aim hydrated with plenty of to go to bed at the same water. time each night. Organisation: Attendance: Encourage your child to eat Encourage your child to breakfast on the morning of Every day counts. It is vital organise their school bag in exams. Some exams are over that your child attends school the evening. Check that your 2 hours long so it is so they do not miss out on child has the correct important that students have key content. equipment for each exam a good healthy breakfast! (calculator for maths etc). Please contact your child s tutor if there are any concerns about your child s revision at home.

Work Hard Be Kind