Study Skills

Equipping students with a robust toolkit of study skills is a cornerstone of The Oakland Way that benefits children long after they leave our grounds. Content classes at Oakland such as science and history are taught as Study Skills classes to help students become successful in all classes at Oakland and to prepare them to be successful after Oakland.

The Oakland Way helps students grasp study skills that they can implement beyond their time at Oakland.

Most study skills do not come naturally, especially for children with learning difficulties; therefore, skills are taught in isolation as well as  integrated throughout the curriculum. Some of the key study skills taught include the following:

  • Learning the parts of a book including title page, table of contents, index and glossary

  • Effective use of reference materials

  • Efficient and pertinent note taking from books, whiteboards/chalkboards, lectures and media

  • Test preparation and test taking strategies

  • Memorization techniques

  • Learning how to become a flexible reader by exposure to skimming, scanning, and other techniques; and

  • Comprehensive report preparation and writing.

Study skills instruction at Oakland is designed to enhance organizational skills both in terms of materials and time management.

Homework is given, but assignments are manageable and meaningful. In addition, hands-on activities supplement traditional classroom instruction.