The ability to study effectively and efficiently is probably one of the most important skills a student can learn to develop. Whether it's history, science, or mathematics in school or even studying materials one needs to know for the work environment, the ability to study material and understand the material they are studying in a effective manner will help one get far in their lives. However, often times, we tell our students to study without ever giving them the tools necessarily to know how to study. This "sink or swim" method often doesn't work for the student, leaving them trying to memorize information for temporary recall without any real knowledge of the material.
For the last few weeks, we have been using Victus Study Skills System to teach valuable study skills to my youngest daughter, Ashleigh. Ashleigh is in grade 4, however we opted to start with Level 1 (Primary).
For this review, we received the following products:
Teacher's Edition
Level 1: Primary (K-2/3)
Teacher Supplement
Student Workbook
Level 2: Elementary (2/3-4/5)
Teacher Supplement
Student Workbook
Level 3 (5/6-10/11)
Teacher Edition
Student Workbook
Level 4 (10/11-College)
College Student Workbook
Student Planner
The Victus Study Skills System was developed by professional educators who have seen firsthand what students of all ages need to know in order to be effective in their study. By providing the necessary tools for students to effectively study as well as retain the information they are studying, Victus Study Skills System helps to equip students to become life long learners. This means that the skills the learn in the early formative years of elementary school can be built upon and carried into their middle school years, high school years, college years and ultimately throughout their adult life.
In order to achieve this, the Victus Study Skills system takes a systematic approach to studying. This is achieved by teaching a way of thinking in regards to how to study. By teaching how to study in this way, students learn how to approach the material set before them in such a way that they can study any topic, in any situation, rather than trying to follow a step by step process that cannot necessarily be applied to everything. The student is taught to approach any task by asking themselves three basic questions - Where am I currently? Where do I want to be? and finally, What do I need to do in order to get there?
The "What Do I Need to do to get there?" is the primary focus of this program. Taught over the course of 6 to 10 lessons (depending on the level being used), learning how to "get there" is where students learn how to make use of resources such as time management, outlines, note taking, ect.
The program offers four different levels. Starting with Level 1, primary level (K-2/3rd grade) students begin to learn the tools necessary to begin the process of learning positive study skills. These lessons are teacher/parent guided and are written in such a way that a younger student can easily understand without being overwhelmed by gobs of information. Level 1 focuses on skills such as listening to the instructor, completing assignments, following directions as given and simple time management such as preparing for the next day before bed and getting to bed on time.
From Level 1, each level builds upon each other, expanding on what the student has previously learned and mastered and adding more tools to conquer more detailed materials that they will encounter as they process in school. Level 4 aims to help correct any bad habits that the student might have picked up before beginning the program and instead re-program the student's way of thinking as to how they approach their learning. This level is designed for the student to independently implement the skills on their own without the guided lessons from the teacher.
The single Teachers Edition guide is used to each any of the four levels and can be used to teach
multiple students who are learning at different levels at the same time when used with the Teacher Supplement and Student Workbook that accompanies each level.
Students are taught the following:
- instruction in organization and time management
- motivation and goal setting
- note taking and test taking
- reading with better comprehension and efficiency and other areas related to improving study habits and increasing learning
How We Used It
For this review period I worked through the program with Ashleigh using Level 1 (Primary) level but this is a program that I really want to re-visit later down the road. This isn't a problem, considering the program is designed to build upon itself at each level, so Ashleigh will build skills in addition to what she's already learned from the program.
Unlike the other levels of the Victus Study Skills System, Level 1 (Primary Grades) consists of 6 lessons, not 10. This level has less writing and incorporates check boxes and drawing for answering the assignments for each lesson
We did find some portions of the program that just didn't relate to Ashleigh. We don't do homework, so scheduling time for homework either in the am or pm, or doing independent studying just wasn't something that we could work on. However, we modified this part by instead assigning independent reading and Ashleigh could decide what time period she would like to do her reading and where she would like to do her reading (as the program talks about studying in a quiet place). Another section does focus on skills to help her read more efficiently as well, so this gave us more time to focus on working on those skills.
I look forward to revisiting the program, first to introduce Garrett to the program as well as allowing my 19 year old daughter to use it as I think it would be extremely valuable to her for her college future. With the fact the program only takes roughly 5 hours total (10 lessons at 30 minutes each), it's a time effective way to develop skills that will be beneficial for a lifetime.
For this review period I worked through the program with Ashleigh using Level 1 (Primary) level but this is a program that I really want to re-visit later down the road. This isn't a problem, considering the program is designed to build upon itself at each level, so Ashleigh will build skills in addition to what she's already learned from the program.
Unlike the other levels of the Victus Study Skills System, Level 1 (Primary Grades) consists of 6 lessons, not 10. This level has less writing and incorporates check boxes and drawing for answering the assignments for each lesson
We did find some portions of the program that just didn't relate to Ashleigh. We don't do homework, so scheduling time for homework either in the am or pm, or doing independent studying just wasn't something that we could work on. However, we modified this part by instead assigning independent reading and Ashleigh could decide what time period she would like to do her reading and where she would like to do her reading (as the program talks about studying in a quiet place). Another section does focus on skills to help her read more efficiently as well, so this gave us more time to focus on working on those skills.
 |
| She wasn't to thrilled I interrupted her reading time for a picture |
You can find more information about Victus Study Skills System by visiting their website. You can also find the on the following social media platforms.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/victusstudy
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/victusstudy/
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.