How did the Pilgrims use Study Skills to plan their first Thanksgiving, a celebration that lasted three days and fed over 100 people? And what does this have to do with our students’ studying practice? Perhaps a lot more than you think!
1. Activating strategies
Even before a feast date was established, the Pilgrims worked hard to grow their crops. They had no other option. Pilgrims activated preparing and planning skills to account for various conditions that might effect the outcome.
2. Self-monitoring
Pilgrims self-monitored to make sure they were on schedule. Since they knew they wanted to celebrate their journey with a feast, they planned for the day and monitored their progress to make sure they were on track.
3. Evaluating multiple tasks
The Pilgrims were constantly evaluating and assessing multiple activities and efforts. Evaluating how long it took to get things done was a key component to insuring that progress was made and that their Feast would be held on the date determined. They knew that certain activities might take long than others, and planned accordingly.
4. Adapting and self-control
Changing conditions and unexpected situations surely confronted Pilgrims every day. Even if the squash looked scrumptious, and they were starving, the Pilgrims didn’t harvest their crops until feast time.
Summary
Just as the Pilgrims used study skills to plan and celebrate a fabulous feast, successful students use multiple strategies to achieve the results they want.
To read more on how the Pilgrim’s used study skills and it how it relates to your student, subscribe to Thursday Tips, a free weekly story on how student can improve their study practice.
About Successful Study Skills 4 Students
Based entirely on scientific evidence, S4’s provides students, in grades 5 through 12, with a suite of essential, evidenced-based and easy-to-implement study skills, tools and strategies essential to achieving full academic potential. Over 1,000 students from public, private and magnet schools in Fairfield, New Haven and Westchester Counties have participated in the S4 program.
