Blast Study Method

Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net
BLAST Study Skills Method
Steps for Effective Study

How can I ever learn all this?

I’ll apply the BLAST method!

Now the
knowledge is
accessible! I can
learn this!

I did it!
I mastered
my subject!!

Ask Yourself
• When do you read a textbook chapter
for the first time?
• How do you read a chapter for the first
time?
• How do you prepare for a class lecture?
• How do you take notes during a lecture?

Ask Yourself
• What do you do with the notes after a
lecture?
• How do you correlate the lecture with
the text?
• Do you use highlighting or underlining?
Does it help you?
• How many times do you read the text?

Ask Yourself
• What do you look for when deciding to
study?
• How do you prepare for a graded
activity such as a writing assignment or
content evaluation?
• Do you usually feel prepared going into a
test?

Who would like to have a
method that enables you
to achieve the best result
in the least amount of
time?

Introducing a New Method
B L A S T
Before
Lecture
Lecture
After
Lecture
Study Test

Introducing….
B L A S T
Before
Lecture
Lecture
After
Lecture
Study Test

• What are the steps you take before a
lecture?
• How do you look over your text book?
• Is your method effective?
• Could it be improved?
Let’s look at some specific strategies
for studying
Before the Lecture!

B Steps
1. Look over text structure
2. Skim the text
3. Ask yourself questions
4. Jot down questions for
instructor
5. Be prepared for lecture

1. Look over text structure
• Are there preview questions?
• Are there pictures or illustrations
in the chapter?
• Are the questions at the end of the
chapter?
• Is there vocabulary development in
the chapter?

Pay Attention To…
• Bold Text
• Boxes
• Titles
• Subheadings
• Italics
• Quotes
• Colored Text
• Graphics
• Bullet Lists
• Numbered
Lists

2. Skimming the Text
After identifying text
format, read over quickly,
looking at main ideas only.

3. Questioning the Text
Based on Main Ideas, write
some questions you expect to
be covered in lecture.

Turn Headers into Questions
Example Header
Pilgrim Settlement at Plymouth Harbor
ASK the WH Questions
Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?

Example WH Questions
Who were the pilgrims?
Where did they come from? Where did
they go?
Why did they go to Plymouth Harbor.
What happened to them there?
How did that happen?
When did this occur?

Turning Image into Questions
Examine Image
ASK the WH Questions
Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?

Example Image into Questions
Why are
advertisements
important?
What can they tell me
about the topic?
How does this affect
me?

Turning Lists into Questions
Examine the List
ASK yourself:
• Do I recognize all these topics?
• Is there something I don’t understand?
• What do these have in common?

Example Turning Lists into Questions
Do I recognize all these
topics?
What does affiliation
mean?
Is there something I
don’t understand?
What is regional
affiliation?
What do these have in
common?

4. Questions for Instructor
Is there anything unclear?
Are there specific things you didn’t
understand?
Is there anything particularly
interesting that catches you
attention?

5. Prepare for Lecture
• Does your instructor provide
handouts?
• Does your instructor provide
lecture notes?
If so, BRING THEM to class!!

5. Prepare for Lecture
Make sure you have
• some valid questions
• your book
• appropriate writing implements
• paper
• recorder if allowed

Let’s Practice!!

Take a look at these two pictures.
Apply the strategies.

• What do you notice about the box on
the first page?
• What do you notice about the bullet list
on the first?
• What do you notice about the numbered
list on both pages?
• What do you notice about the picture on
the second page?

Based on the given
example pages,
WRITE your own questions.

Possible Questions Could Be…
• What is a learning team?
• What are some types of teams?
• Why are they important?
• When could a team be beneficial?
• Where do I find team members?
• How might they work?
• How do I feel about team learning?

Now that you’ve prepared for the
lecture…
what comes next?

• What are the steps you take during a
lecture?
• How do you write your lecture notes?
for taking notes
During a Lecture!

Introducing the Cornel System
1. Divide page into 3 areas
2. Use the cue (recall column)
3. Use the summary column
4. Take Notes

1. Divide Page into 3 parts
Cue (Recall) Column
Summary Column
Notes Column

Summarize in the
A step of BLAST
Take Notes
inn the L stage
of BLAST
Write Cue
(Recall) in
the A step
of BLAST

2. Use the Cue Section
This section is not filled out
during initial note taking. It
will be used to identify main
ideas in the A stage of
BLAST.

3. Use the Summary Section
This section is not filled out
during initial note taking. It
will be used to identify
summarize ideas in the A
stage of BLAST.

4. Take Notes
DO
Come to class prepared
Record if possible
Have handouts handy

4. Take Notes
DO
Write main ideas
Write information written on
board
Write information on PPT
slides

4. Take Notes
DO
Listen for concepts and words
from your B stage of BLAST
Identify most important ideas
with symbol

4. Take Notes
DO NOT
Try to write down every
word
Panic at disorganization

Let’s Practice!!!

Listen to the short video
lecture by Sean Stephenson
here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmxBBo-
sxUE
Take Notes

Main Ideas?
• 4 Kinds of Stress
• Actions of 4 kinds of
stressed out people
• Solutions to stress

Now that you’ve finished the
lecture…
what comes next?

• What are the steps you take after a
lecture?
• How do you look over your lecture
notes?
for studying
After the Lecture!

A Steps of Cornel System
1. Fill in the Cue and Summary
Sections
2. Rewrite notes
3. Ask questions
4. Compare / contrast notes to text
book
5. Identify Important Points
6. Identify Areas of Confusion

Summarize in the
A step of BLAST
Taking Notes
In the previous
L stage of BLAST
Cue
(Recall) in
the A
step of
BLAST

Fill in Cue Section
1. Read over notes
2. On the left side (the CUE section) write:
– Names
– Dates
– Chapter #
– Theories
– Ideas
This will help you in the S (study stage) of
BLAST!!

Fill in Summary Section
Summarize Main Idea on
page as needed.
This will help you in the
S (study stage) of
BLAST!!

Remember the Stress Video?

Main Ideas?
4 Kinds of Stress
Actions of 4 kinds of
stressed out people
Solutions to stress

Stephen provides 3 bad ways and 1 good way to
deal with stress. Admits not easy- but important!
Screeching Balloon
Whining responses
Balloon shoots across room
Freak Out responses
Balloon bursts into pieces
Explode responses
Balloon fills, release, fills,
releases
Immediate release
BAD way to deal
w/ STRESS
BAD way to deal
w/ STRESS
BAD way to deal
w/ STRESS
GOOD way deal
w/STRESS

2. Rewrite Notes
If your first set is too
messy to read, it is hard
to study.
Rewriting notes by hand or
typing can help you
remember the information.

3. Ask Questions
Based on important points, write WH
questions such as:
• What was XX or What happened to
XX?
• Where did it happen?
• When did it happen?
• How did it occur?
• Why is it important?

Let’s Practice
Based on the Stress Video
and notes,
what kinds of WH questions
might we ask?

Possible Questions
• Which of these methods do I do to deal
with stress?
• What does “freaking out” look like when
I do it?
• What does “exploding” look like when I
do it?
• How might I pro-actively release stress
before it gets to the bad method?

4. Compare / Contrast Notes to Text
• Check your main ideas in Cue
section with the headers in the
book.
• Note when they align
• Note what is missing

5. Indentify Important Points
• What points did the instructor
indicate are important?
• Are there points in the notes not in
the book? Do you need more
information? Where can you get it?
• Are there points in the book not in
the notes? Do you need more
information? Where can you get it?

6. Indentify Areas of Confusion
• Is there anything unclear?
• Are there specific things you
didn’t understand?
• Is there anything particularly
attention?

Now that you’ve reviewed the
lecture…
what comes next?

• How do you read an assignment?
• How do you complete a writing
assignment?
• How do you study for a test?
to employ
During Study!

S Steps
1. Identify the kind of study
required
2. As you read, refer to material
from B,L, & A.
3. Focus on key ideas
4. Ask and answer questions

S Steps continued
5. Annotate text
6. Note important vocabulary
7. Make lists, charts, time lines
8. Reread relevant material

1. Identify Kind of Study Required
Different genres require different
study.
Are you reading for a Literature
class? Science class? Business
class?
What are other classes you could
apply this stage too?

Keep in mind the ultimate evaluation.
• Will you have a multiple choice test?
• Will you have an essay test?
• Will you write a paper?
• Will you have give a presentation?
• What are other kinds of evaluations you
might have?

• How would an essay test differ from a
multiple choice?
• How would reading a science text differ
from a short story?
• How would a philosophy exam differ
from a math test?

2. Refer to Material from B, L, & A.
Your BEFORE Lecture notes,
LECTURE notes, and
AFTER Lecture notes have
revealed important information.

3. Focus on Key Ideas
As you read, focus on the key
ideas gathered in the BLA
stages.
Make sure that you read and
understand all the material
related to that information.

4. Answer Questions As You Go
• Is there anything unclear?
• Are there specific things you
didn’t understand?
• Is there anything particularly
attention?

5. Annotate Text
Highlight, Underline,
Star ideas that
correlate to your
important ideas.

Example Student Annotation from
Chicken Soup for the Soul

Mrs. C’s
Annotation From
When I Was
Puerto Rican

6. Note Important Vocabulary
• Make a list of vocabulary you
need to look up, review, or
learn.
• Write in your notes or in
book

7. Make Lists, Charts, Time Lines
Pay attention to the facts
that can be listed, to charts
or graphs, to time lines and
dates.

8. Reread Relevant Material
• When you go to reread, don’t
reread every word.
• Focus on annotations and
identified main ideas.

Other Ideas??
• Can you think of other things
you might focus on when you
read?
• Is it a good idea to translate?
• Is it a good idea to paraphrase
and summarize?

Now that you’ve studied…
what comes next?

• What are the steps you take before a
lecture?
• How do you look over your text book?
for TESTING

T = TEST
What are the steps you take to
prepare for:
• a multiple choice test?
• an essay test?
• a summary assignment
• an essay assignment?

T Steps
1. Know test or assignment type
2. Have effective strategies
3. Take care of health
4. Have confidence in preparation
5. Test in a Bubble

1. Know Test Type
What are differences between:
• multiple choice test?
• short answer?
• fill in blank?
• essay test?
• essay assignment?

Example Multiple Choice
In the story “Thank You Ma’m,” what
does Mrs. Jones do for Roger?
a. Calls his parents and complains
b. Calls the police and reports him
c. Takes him home and feeds him
d. Sends him on his way with a warning

Example Short Answer
In the story “Thank You Ma’m,” describe
what happened after Roger tried to
steal Mrs. Jones purse.
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________

Example Fill In Blank
In the story “Thank You Ma’m,” Roger
wanted to money to buy ______.

Example Summary Assignment
After reading “Move-In Day,”
summarize the main ideas in one
paragraph.

Example Writing Test / Assignment
Based on the story “Thank You Ma’m,”
write a five paragraph essay explaining
the causes and effects of Roger’s
behavior in the story.

2. Have Effective Testing Strategies
1. Tips for multiple choice test
2. Tips for short answer or fill in
blank
3. Tips for essay test
4. Tips for essay assignment

Multiple Choice Tips
• Answer the questions you know first
• Look at the rest of the test for clues to
difficult questions
• Eliminate obviously wrong answers
• Choose best of remaining answers
• If no penalty, leave nothing empty
• If necessary, guess

Short Answer Tips
• Organize your thoughts first.
• Focus on main ideas and main actions.
• Look for clues in question.
• Write about what you know.
• Grammar always matters.
• Spelling always matters.
• Vocabulary always matters.

Fill In Blank Tips
• Read question carefully.
• Look for clues in question.
• Keep answer short and concise.
• Consider details.

Summary Assignment Tips
• Organize your ideas before you write.
• Use Author’s name and story title in the
first sentence.
• First sentence should have main idea.
• Use just enough information.
• Use your own words; don’t quote.
• Write summary, and then check to
original. Write again as needed.

Writing Test Tips
• Look to question for thesis.
• Outline as much as possible before write.
• Answer the question.
• Leave time to edit your work.
• Skip lines just in case.

Writing Assignment Tips
• Don’t wait until the last minute
• Follow directions.
• Leave time to edit your work.
• Get feedback if possible

3. Take Care of Health
The night before the test
1. DON’T cram
2. DO get enough sleep
3. DO eat
4. ???

3. Take Care of Health
The day of the test
1. DON’T be late
2. DON’T cram
3. DO eat
4. DO bring the right materials
5. DO relax as much as possible

4. Have Confidence in Preparation
• You have spent the time studying.
• You have learned the material.
• You have done the best you can.
• Now, simply demonstrate what you
know.

Test in a Bubble
1. DON’T worry about others
2. DO pace yourself
3. DO remember to breathe
4. DO the best you can

What else can you do to succeed?
• Seating
• Materials
• Understand the directions
• Use good time management
• Deep breathing
• Relaxation techniques
• Others?????

With Practice…
Education
can be a
BLAST!!!

For More Information
• Email Mrs. C
ccoleman@clmn.net
• Visit Coleman’s Classroom
• www.clmn.net

Blast Study Method

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