Study and test-taking strategies

Herringbone:

This strategy provides learners with a framework for the material they read to help make decisions about main ideas and important supporting details. After reading the article/text, have the learners go into pairs or groups of three. Ask them to consider possible answers to the questions on the herringbone, and decide cooperatively upon the answer that seems best to them (i.e. where, why, what, etc.). Then have them share their answers with the larger group. The focus of this discussion should be on decisions and reasons rather than on right answers.¹³

Example:

Along the main line write the "main idea." On each bone coming out from the main line (spine) write who, what, where, why, when and how. Write the applicable responses in the area to the right of the bone.

Matrices or charts:

Matrices or charts are used to provide a framework for comparing and contrasting similar concepts. Use any texts that contain elements for comparison. Some examples are: characters from a piece of fiction; a content article about environmental threats; and candidates for election. To develop a matrix or chart, first prepare a grid. Along one axis of the grid list the concepts to be compared (e.g. characters, environmental threats, candidates). Along the other axis of the grid, list key characteristics that distinguish the concepts (e.g. personality, legal solutions, candidates' positions on issues). Have the learners make notes in the boxes on the grid by thinking about each concept in light of each key feature. Using the "characters chart" as an example, they would make notes about each character's personality in the corresponding box on the grid.¹⁴