The Cambridge AICE Program
at St. Augustine High School
Cambridge International Fellowship Centre
AICE STUDENT TUTORS AVAILABLE!!!
A tutor list for various subjects is available in Schoology under the Resources tab. The student tutors receive community service hours for the time they spend tutoring, and the student who needs help gets the benefit of the knowledge their AICE Peers can share who have already taken the class they are struggling in!! This is a GREAT option for those who have trouble attending before or after school tutoring sessions. The student tutors can be scheduled whenever, wherever it works for both students.
A FEW Study Tips
1. Get organized! It’s hard to study when you can’t find your study guide. Put everything in your notebook in order and punch holes in handouts so you won’t lose them.
2. Do your homework: the only reason homework is assigned is to help you understand the material and prepare you for the test. Ignoring your homework or not doing it thoroughly will hurt you when the test comes.
3. Use your notes! Your teachers give you notes for a reason. They often have answers to your study guides. Look at your notes and assignments FIRST, then turn to your book for answers.
4. Review every night: Take 5-10 minutes to read over your notes EVERY NIGHT. Highlight anything you don’t understand and ask about it in the morning. Write 1-2 sentences summarizing the main idea of the notes.
5. Ask for help: ask Ms. Babineau questions during class, ask to come in before or after school, or ask about the AICE tutors: students who have already had this class and are happy to help you get through. Also – contact Ms. Bechtle ([email protected]) for a list of AICE student volunteer tutors in any subject!
6. Come to study sessions: if Ms. B doesn’t propose a study session then ask her if one can be organized.
7. Memorize it! Studies show that you need to see something 6 times in order to remember it.
8. Reward yourself: give yourself study breaks and treats to help you stay focused and unstressed.
9. Understand it: THIS IS A BIGGIE!! Many students got As in middle school by simply memorizing. In high school we use more critical thinking; that means you need to make sure you actually understand the material as opposed to being able to just spit back the notes. Try the following to check your understanding of concepts, vocabulary, etc.:
a. Draw it.
b. Come up with examples and non-examples (What is it like; what’s the opposite of it?)
c. What does it make you think of?
d. What is it composed of (this could be root words that show the meaning or ideas that contributed to a theory, etc)
e. Argue for or against it.
f. Create your own way to analyze the information.
CAMBRIDGE STUDENT WEBSITES
Students can access Learner Guides by subject, Study Guides with general helpful tips, common FAQs, Study Planners to organize exam study time, and much, much more on the following Cambridge websites:
- Cambridge Assessment International Education – Curriculum
- Cambridge Assessment International Education – Study Resources
To look at Past Papers (remember, each exam has more than one “Paper” or test on different days which make up the overall exam result for that subject), Mark Schemes (how the exams are graded), and Examiner Reports (what the graders like to see, don’t like to see, etc.), go to http://www.cie.org.uk/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-advanced/cambridge-international-as-and-a-levels/subjects/ and click on the subject you’re interested in. You’ll be brought to a page where you’ll see the syllabus. On the left side of that page click on “Past papers, examiner reports and specimen papers”.
The following websites were developed in England as a resource for Pre-AICE and AICE students and teachers. They offer a great tool for clarifying concepts and as an additional study guide.
www.s-cool.co.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/
FLVC.org
Now is a great time to establish your login and password on the FLVC.org website. When you fill out the demographic information, you will be asked for your “florida identifier”, which is your social security number with an “X” after it.
Once you’re in, you’ll be AMAZED at the information you have access to! You can view your grades for every high school course you’ve ever taken, and even compare your transcript with the Bright Futures Scholarship Eligiblity. This will show you what requirements you’ve completed & what ones are missing. You’ll also be able to view your Bright Futures GPA (which is different from the GPA on your report card!) to see how close you are to qualifying for money for college! You’ll also be able to view your GPA for the State University System requirements and make sure you’re on track for college entrance eligibility.
Forget What You Know About Good Study Habits
By BENEDICT CAREY
If you can take the time to read this – it’s got a LOT of great information about study skills, and what we have always THOUGHT was the best way to study and learn. It could be very helpful if students take a look at the suggestions the research proves are the most effective.
College Entrance Exams
I encourage students in all grades & parents to look at the information available via collegeboard.com. Have your student try the “question of the day”, search for the right major, etc. My standard advice is for students to study 15-20 minutes per night for 30 days prior to taking the SAT or ACT.
ACT has study help as well – at ACT.org, or ACTstudent.org… All juniors should have at least one score – but preferably one SAT and one ACT before the end of this year. There’s one more of each still available – so if your junior student hasn’t taken them yet – GO ONLINE AND REGISTER NOW!!!
In the fall, as a senior, test scores are required to be able to submit a complete college application package. Some deadlines are as early as Oct. 15th, so there is not enough time to wait & take the SAT or ACT next fall, and have a score available by the deadline. And students should consider taking a subject area test if they are currently taking an AICE or AP course that corresponds to a subject area test. That way the information is fresh!
Learning Express Library!
Whatever your goal, LearningExpress Library’s resources will help you succeed. Each of our Learning Centers offers the practice tests, exercises, skill-building courses, and information you need to achieve the results you want—at school, at work, or in life. Looking to land a job? You’ll find an entire Learning Center dedicated to helping you get the one that’s right for you.
http://www.learnatest.com/lel/
Cambridge AICE Counselor
Dena Bechtle (904) 547-8533
[email protected]
