The PPORA Method for Academic Success

   When your child reads, can he identify topics, main ideas, and supporting details? Can she summarize what is read in her own words? Does he use effective test-taking strategies for exams? Can she organize her thoughts into well-written paragraphs?

   If you answered no to any of these questions, then, chances are, your child lacks effective reading comprehension, note-taking, test-taking, or organizational strategies - strategies that are critical to middle and high school success. This lack often leads to frustration, poor grades, weak motivation, and a dwindling self-esteem.

   The following is a reading comprehension and study skills technique, one of the many strategies that are important for giving your child an edge in understanding material, studying for tests, attacking textbooks, and taking notes. It is a strategy that is used by some of the most successful middle school, high school, and college students.

The PPORA Method

   The PPORA Method is a great tool for improving reading comprehension and study skills. The acronym stands for Preview, Post-it, Organize, Review, and Answer. Here's what it's all about:

Preview: Read all headings, sub-headings, picture captions, bold words, and questions to get an overall picture of what you're about to read. This will prepare you for what is to come. 

Post-it: Read each paragraph. At the end of each paragraph, stop and describe in your own words what it was about. Then, using small-size Post-it notes, write two or three words that summarize that description. Place these Post-it notes on the margins next to the text.