The Clara James Approach to learning
When it comes to learning we are all individuals.
The past 20+ years have taught me that no matter our learning style if the child is engaged and relaxed they are more likely to learn.
If we just keep giving them the same resources, varied over and over again, all we are doing is giving them one place in their brains to find the information. However, by giving them a variety of resources we can make it more interesting, more relevant, and help them to create multiple memories so that when they need to recall the information, they have more places they can go to in order to find it.
If we can boost their confidence as well as their knowledge we will make their life and ours easier.
For 20 years now I've been fascinated by different learning styles: ASD, Dyslexia, ADHD. The purpose of this podcast is to share my findings with you, so that maybe what I've learned will be of help to you too.
The Clara James Approach to learning
Revising Maths
Hello, I hope you're having a good day. Many parents reach out to me after exam results are released, concerned about their child's revision strategies. To help, I've compiled some tips based on my experience in education and tutoring.
Firstly, it’s crucial to lay the groundwork for effective studying. I'm preparing a downloadable PDF tailored for the GCSE syllabus; if it's not yet available when you see this, email me at info@clajamestutoring.co.uk and I'll send it to you.
Start by listing topics and rating your confidence level next to each one: unsure, somewhat sure, or confident. This helps identify areas needing more focus without being overly negative.
Depending on learning preferences, use at least five colors when taking notes; this can enhance memory recall during exams. Explaining concepts as if teaching someone else is another powerful technique — whether through writing or creating videos or podcasts just for yourself.
To track progress efficiently in written materials like notebooks or flashcards, create an index system. Additionally, practice with past papers not only as tests but also as tools to pinpoint weak spots that require further study.
A great resource is Maths Made Easy (mme.co.uk), where you can find past papers along with mark schemes and model answers to compare against your work.
Remember that small daily study sessions often prove more beneficial than cramming before an exam — consistency over time leads to better retention of information. At the end of each day note down what was accomplished towards achieving desired grades; reflecting on these achievements can be motivating.
Parents should aim to support rather than nag their children about revision — encouragement goes much further in fostering a productive study environment.
Lastly, integrate enjoyable activities into your revision routine whenever possible – watching educational YouTube videos or running while listening back over notes could make studying less tedious.
I hope these suggestions aid both students and parents alike in navigating the challenges of exam preparation effectively. Good luck!