Terms Help
Terms are a HUGE part of this course and your grade, so it's important to know how to write and study them. I will post my terms examples the day before the test. This will give you the opportunity to study a different set of terms while also making sure you are completing your own.
Deconstructing Terms
One way to understand terms is to break them down to their core. Terms can be broken down and are graded as follows:
Who (1pt)
Where (1pt)
When (1pt)
What (3pt)
Why Is It Important (4pt)
Who
This part essentially speaks for itself- who is involved in this term? Who can refer to an individual or a group and there are typically two or three whos per term.
Where
Where refers to both the place directly related to the term (the area where an event/people are located) and also the nations involved (as in France vs Britain in the French and Indian War, Britain vs the American Colonies in the revolutionary War, etc.). There are usually one or two wheres per term.
When
When is the easiest part of the term! There is, in most cases, only one when that you need to know. Unless otherwise noted by Mr. Johnston, you can break down your when as follows:
0-35 = Early
35-65 = Mid
65-100 = Late
What
One of the more difficult components, the what is essentially the "meat" of your term. The important details about the term must be researched and included in this section. The what should be specific, relevant, and multiple sentences in length.
Why
The why is a difficult yet important part of your term. It's important to be accurate on this part, as the importance is usually very specific. When Mr. Johnston goes over terms in class at the end of the chapter, be sure to write down the whys he says for each term.
One way to understand terms is to break them down to their core. Terms can be broken down and are graded as follows:
Who (1pt)
Where (1pt)
When (1pt)
What (3pt)
Why Is It Important (4pt)
Who
This part essentially speaks for itself- who is involved in this term? Who can refer to an individual or a group and there are typically two or three whos per term.
Where
Where refers to both the place directly related to the term (the area where an event/people are located) and also the nations involved (as in France vs Britain in the French and Indian War, Britain vs the American Colonies in the revolutionary War, etc.). There are usually one or two wheres per term.
When
When is the easiest part of the term! There is, in most cases, only one when that you need to know. Unless otherwise noted by Mr. Johnston, you can break down your when as follows:
0-35 = Early
35-65 = Mid
65-100 = Late
What
One of the more difficult components, the what is essentially the "meat" of your term. The important details about the term must be researched and included in this section. The what should be specific, relevant, and multiple sentences in length.
Why
The why is a difficult yet important part of your term. It's important to be accurate on this part, as the importance is usually very specific. When Mr. Johnston goes over terms in class at the end of the chapter, be sure to write down the whys he says for each term.
Writing Terms
Once you have all of your info, it's time to piece it all together in your specially-labeled terms notebook. There are a number of ways to do this, however the when usually is mentioned in one of the first sentences and the why usually comes at the end of the term.
Example: William Penn
William Penn was an English proprietor who was given a grant of land from King Charles II in the late 1600s. When developing his colony, Pennsylvania, Penn wanted to launch a “holy experiment” based on the teachings of a radical Protestant named George Fox, and also wanted to give people more religious freedom. He sailed to his colony with a number of settlers who were mostly Quakers like himself. Quakers had faced persecution in England, prompting to move their entire families to the religion-tolerant colony, which resulted in a high birthrate. Penn designed the capital, Philadelphia, in a grid-like formation to prevent future problems with the layout. Pennsylvania had a strong executive branch and a limited legislative branch, and many Quakers held positions in government. This is important because Pennsylvania became an ideal colony, in part from the ideals that Penn expressed for his colony. Also, Philadelphia became a major port later on and helped the American economy.
After writing your term out, be sure to highlight the important information. This can be done in either one color or multiple colors, as shown above. Whatever you choose, be sure to do this before you go to class on the day that they're due (usually test day).
Once you have all of your info, it's time to piece it all together in your specially-labeled terms notebook. There are a number of ways to do this, however the when usually is mentioned in one of the first sentences and the why usually comes at the end of the term.
Example: William Penn
William Penn was an English proprietor who was given a grant of land from King Charles II in the late 1600s. When developing his colony, Pennsylvania, Penn wanted to launch a “holy experiment” based on the teachings of a radical Protestant named George Fox, and also wanted to give people more religious freedom. He sailed to his colony with a number of settlers who were mostly Quakers like himself. Quakers had faced persecution in England, prompting to move their entire families to the religion-tolerant colony, which resulted in a high birthrate. Penn designed the capital, Philadelphia, in a grid-like formation to prevent future problems with the layout. Pennsylvania had a strong executive branch and a limited legislative branch, and many Quakers held positions in government. This is important because Pennsylvania became an ideal colony, in part from the ideals that Penn expressed for his colony. Also, Philadelphia became a major port later on and helped the American economy.
After writing your term out, be sure to highlight the important information. This can be done in either one color or multiple colors, as shown above. Whatever you choose, be sure to do this before you go to class on the day that they're due (usually test day).
Talking About Terms In Class
While you go over the chapter, have your terms notebook close by- if Mr. Johnston talks about any of your terms, jot notes in the margins. He also will discuss terms at the end of each chapter, including the importance of the terms you need to know. Once Mr. Johnston tells you which terms will be on the test, be sure to mark these terms and add extra info to them.
While you go over the chapter, have your terms notebook close by- if Mr. Johnston talks about any of your terms, jot notes in the margins. He also will discuss terms at the end of each chapter, including the importance of the terms you need to know. Once Mr. Johnston tells you which terms will be on the test, be sure to mark these terms and add extra info to them.
Studying the Term
In order to do well on test day, study, study, study! The term is based quite a bit on memorization, so a little practice each day goes a long way. You should practice ALL of your terms, not just the assigned ones. They will all be important on the multiple choice test.
There are many different ways to study terms and the best method to do so really depends on the person.
Flashcards are good for many people and can be a portable and easy option for on-the-go studying. Websites like Quizlet also enable multiple people to use a set of flashcards at the same time,making them good to share among friends.
Study Sessions can be a good option, especially to start out. When you're new to writing terms, it is good to be able to share information and ideas with other people. One of you could've missed something important! Talking about the terms can also give you a better understanding of them. The key here is to not get too sidetracked along the way!
Typing out or rewriting terms (or even just jotting down ideas) can really help as well. If you're not keen on typing out everything and wish to save trees, you can write on a whiteboard or laminate the document here to use.
In order to do well on test day, study, study, study! The term is based quite a bit on memorization, so a little practice each day goes a long way. You should practice ALL of your terms, not just the assigned ones. They will all be important on the multiple choice test.
There are many different ways to study terms and the best method to do so really depends on the person.
Flashcards are good for many people and can be a portable and easy option for on-the-go studying. Websites like Quizlet also enable multiple people to use a set of flashcards at the same time,making them good to share among friends.
Study Sessions can be a good option, especially to start out. When you're new to writing terms, it is good to be able to share information and ideas with other people. One of you could've missed something important! Talking about the terms can also give you a better understanding of them. The key here is to not get too sidetracked along the way!
Typing out or rewriting terms (or even just jotting down ideas) can really help as well. If you're not keen on typing out everything and wish to save trees, you can write on a whiteboard or laminate the document here to use.
Tips and Tricks
Always stay ahead on terms! It'll make your life easier down the road when you're learning about the material in class- plus, questions from future chapters (usually dealing with your terms) are included on each test you take.
Don't write terribly bland, short terms either. Chances are you won't remember EVERY last detail on test day, so by adding more information you'll still remember enough; it's better to remember 70% of a long term than to only remember 70% of a three-sentence term!
Try your best the first time. While you are able to redo terms if you don't do well, getting only a few points off doesn't guarantee that you'll have that opportunity.
You might need a few tries to get a study system down, but you'll get there! Everyone's different and you just need to find what works for you.
Always stay ahead on terms! It'll make your life easier down the road when you're learning about the material in class- plus, questions from future chapters (usually dealing with your terms) are included on each test you take.
Don't write terribly bland, short terms either. Chances are you won't remember EVERY last detail on test day, so by adding more information you'll still remember enough; it's better to remember 70% of a long term than to only remember 70% of a three-sentence term!
Try your best the first time. While you are able to redo terms if you don't do well, getting only a few points off doesn't guarantee that you'll have that opportunity.
You might need a few tries to get a study system down, but you'll get there! Everyone's different and you just need to find what works for you.
Good Sources
When completing your terms, you should use multiple sources and your book in order to get a better grasp of the term itself. This will also ensure that you will not miss important details.