Here are some more study tips that might be useful over the next few days:
1. Skim through the powerpoints that I have posted online. The information is more condensed than the textbook and should be faster for you to study with.
2. If you made flashcards USE THEM! Call a friend and quiz each other. Ask your parents to quiz you. Ask your brothers and/or sisters to quiz. Talk to yourself in front of the mirror. Reading the terms and ideas out loud may help you retain the information a little better.
3. Practice the online provincial exams! There are four exams online - go through them all - repeatedly! The ministry re-uses questions every year so the more you practice the better off you should be!
4. Read the Essay Writing Tips pasted below. Read over the possible essay topics I gave to you and write out outlines - keep your outlines short, sweet, and to the point. This will definitely help you for the real exam. Remember there is usually one essay on history and one for geography.
***When you are writing your provincial exam remember that you can get 2 marks (out of 6) for just having a strong intro and thesis! DO NOT LEAVE ESSAY ANSWERS BLANK. Attempt to write SOMETHING down! Use your vocabulary words to show that you understand the topic. You can do it!!!
5. Come to the review sessions next week! On Monday they will be in my room after 11:00am. Ms. McRae and I will be running them. On Tuesday they will be held in Mr. Konsmo's classroom before 12:00.
6. Email me if you need help with anything!
Stay positive and believe in yourself! YOU WILL SUCCEED!
Essay Writing Strategies:
*Remember SPERM
Social – people (women, men, minorities, children, etc)
Political – government (policies, treaties, acts, politicians, etc)
Economical – jobs, employment, trade, commerce, cost of war, etc
Regional – French Cdn vs English Cdn; western alienation, core vs periphery, etc
Military – battles, wars, strategies (ex. Schlieffen Plan)
Here are some tips on how to answer essay questions.
If you see the word COMPARE this means:
- you must describe how the elements, qualities, issues, and/or people are similar to something else
- you will most likely see a question that asks you to “compare and contrast” which means you must look at the similarities and the differences of the topic
ex. – Compare the similarities between Canada’s participation in World War I versus their participation in World War II from an economic, social, and political perspective.
If you see the word CONTRAST this means:
- you must describe how the elements, qualities, issues, and/or people are different to something else
- you will most likely see a question that asks you to “compare and contrast” which means you must look at the similarities and the differences of the topic
ex. – Compare and contrast Canada’s participation in World War I and in World War II from an economic, social, and political perspective.
If you see the word DESCRIBE this means:
- you must give a detailed or graphic account of an object, event, or concept
ex. – Describe realistic strategies that Canadians could take to reduce their negative impact on land, water, and the atmosphere.
If you see the word DISCUSS this means:
- you must present various points of view in a debate, argument, topic, or concept
- you should consider both sides of the question
ex: - Discuss how Canada changed as a result of WW1 (various points of view – SPERM!)
If you see the word EVALUATE this means:
- you must use criteria/standards to make judgements about the strengths and weaknesses of a position on a particular issue (must have 2 sides)
ex: - “Canada has created a welfare state that benefits every man, woman and child from cradle to grave.” Evaluate this statement using examples from the period of 1914 to the year 2000. (note – you would evaluate how the welfare state has benefitted AND not benefitted Cdns)
If you see the word EXPLAIN this means:
- you must give an account of a topic, process, or concept while providing evidence and reasons
ex: - Explain the political, social, and economic challenges in finding solutions to environmental threats that affect Canadians.
If you see the words TO WHAT EXTENT this means:
- you must write arguments in favour of a position or point of view and respond to or take into account the arguments opposed to that position or point of view (must have 2 sides)
ex: - To what extent did WW1 and WW2 have a negative impact on the Canadian Home Front? (must discuss both positives AND negatives of argument even though it is NOT written in the question!)
