Learning Strategies Department

Never underestimate the value of teacher websites.  While maintaining a website isn’t a requirement, many of the teachers at BHS maintain a website with helpful information such as the course syllabus, daily assignments, and links to helpful resources.  You don’t have any homework??  Hmm… let’s check.  What about that upcoming project?  Some teachers even have grade reports available online.

Writing a paper for class?  Follow the link on the BHS website for the “BHS Style Sheet” for helpful information about formatting your paper.

You’ve been assigned a novel to read for your English class?  Some students may learn information better when it is presented verbally.  Our department maintains a lending library of books on tape.  While we don’t have every book (some authors have not released the rights to record them), we have most of them.  Recorded novels can be checked out from Mrs. Legan in room 116.  Did you know that eligible students can access Washington Talking Book and Braille Libraryfor free?  Learning Disabled students are eligible for membership with supporting medical documentation. 

It is important that students read the books that they are assigned in class.  Study guides, such as Cliff’s Notes, can help students confirm that they understood the information and help them focus on main ideas.  Each Learning Strategies teacher has a collection of study guides for use in class.  Students wishing to use study guides at home may access several sites that allow free access  (sparknotes.com, gradesaver.com).

Need extra help?  Assistance is available to students in Room 116 before school from 7:50 until 8:45 and after school from 2:45-3:45 in room 118.  In addition to those resources, all students can receive extra math help (3:00 – 4:30; Monday, Tuesday, Thursday) through a partnership with Keyport in Commodore #3.

Self Advocacy is heavily emphasized within the Learning Strategies classes.  It’s important that students develop an awareness of their own strengths and weaknesses and take responsibility for their education.  They should know what accommodations they need to be successful and be able to request those accommodations independently as they reach the upper grades – especially those students who will pursue post-secondary education.  Students are encouraged to initiate contact with their general education teachers and meet with them outside of class time to discuss projects, assignments, needed accommodations or other concerns that may surface.  Feeling uncomfortable going alone?  Talk to your Learning Strategies teacher, chances are they would be happy to come with you.

Want to go to the movies with your friends?  Your parents will be more likely to let you go if you have a progress report that shows your assignments are all in.  Your Learning Strategies teacher has a supply of progress report forms that you may request.  It may be a pain to remember to give it to each teacher – but when it means going to the movies or not, most students find it’s possible.  Students and parents can also email teachers directly to find out about student progress.  It’s much easier for a parent to initiate an email regarding their one child than for a teacher to remember to email individual parents when dealing with 150 students.  As our technology increases, more and more teachers have progress reports available online.  

Test taking can be a big challenge for students.  Some students need accommodations to help them better show their knowledge on tests.  In some cases students may take tests in the resource room as described in their IEP.  While teachers have copies of the IEP’s for the students in their classes, they may not always remember each student’s individual accommodations.  Talk to your teacher before the day of the test to make arrangements.  Ask your Learning Strategies teacher if you need help.  Some students need extra time when taking tests.  The general guideline, supported by the SAT and most colleges, is 50% more time.  For example, if the test takes 50 minutes, most students needing extra time should not need more than 75 minutes.  If a test is not finished the student needs to make arrangements to finish the test as soon as possible.  Non-completed tests will be returned to the teacher after three days.  Tests can be made up before school, during Learning Strategies, or after school by appointment.  Students who routinely require testing accommodations throughout their high school career may be eligible for those same accommodations when taking college entrance exams such as the SAT or ACT.  As the process for accommodation approval can be long and tedious, we recommend applying for accommodations the school year prior to when you plan to take the exam.

Good attendance is a critical component of school success.  Students miss large amounts of instruction when they are absent.  Parents are encouraged to sign up for a Family Access password.  Family Access allows parents to monitor helpful information such as school attendance. 

Learning disabilities, attention difficulties and other impairments can make achieving school success especially challenging for students with disabilities.  Learning disabilities, attention difficulties and other impairments, compounded by drug and alcohol use, can make achieving school success impossible.  As a wise student once said, "If you child comes home and smells like smoke; it's not their friends."  Parents and students with concerns or who would like more information are encouraged to contact the BHS Counseling office or our Intervention Specialist, Murphy Boughner (855-0423).