Lessons

Mathematics: solve in steps

Read the problem once for meaning, identify the information you have, choose the operation or rule you need, and check whether the result is reasonable. Writing intermediate steps makes mistakes easier to find.

Science: claim, evidence, reasoning

Separate what you observe from what you infer. A strong explanation states a claim, points to evidence, and explains how that evidence supports the claim.

Geography: read maps as information

Before interpreting a map, check its title, legend, scale and orientation. Then look for patterns, differences and relationships between locations.

English: active reading

After each section, summarize the main idea in one sentence. Mark unfamiliar words, infer meaning from context, and verify important vocabulary afterward.

History: sources and context

Ask who created a source, when it was created, what purpose it served and what information may be missing. Compare more than one source before drawing a conclusion.