Moving up to the next year group can feel pretty daunting (whether students choose to show it, or not).
And of course, well, it’s Year 12. It’s kind of a big deal.
There might be butterflies of excitement (‘Yesssss – Year 12 – at last!’).
Or butterflies of anxiety or worry (in an ‘Eek! Y12! OMG – Wait, no, I’m not ready!’ kinda way).
So, here’s what your teen can expect and should be ready to look out for as they embark on Year 12 – so they’re not only feeling cool and calm about what lies ahead, but can also really make the most of the opportunities to show their best work.
Yikes, it’s Year 12 for your teen!
You’re probably wondering how on earth they’re in Year 12 already, right!?
The final year of high school and a particularly important one if they want to give themselves as many future opportunities as possible – including those they don’t even think they might want or need right now.
(My sister started out working with artists and corporate commissions when she left school at 18. Then she worked in the marketing department for the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Now… she’s a vet – and did her study and training for that almost 10 years after leaving high school. And I can tell you – she was very glad she’d gotten good grades first time around, even though she didn’t need them for what she THOUGHT she was going to do with her life.)
So, with maximising choice and options in mind, here’s what to look out for and be READY for in Year 12.
The types of tasks and assessments will be similar to Year 11 – including essays, inquiries, research assignments and investigations.
A lot of what’s done in Year 11 is kind of a dry-run for Year 12.
So they should be fairly familiar with these by now and be confident in tackling them.
Therefore, what’s going to really pay off is being able to optimise these opportunities to operate at the highest levels of cognitive ability, i.e. respond at the highest levels of Blooms taxonomy.
(By the way – if you’re not sure what I mean by any of that, then be sure to come to my upcoming online Term 1 Parent Info Event – I’ll be emailing out details soon) 🙂
One way is to strategically select a topic or focus for any open task.
One that provides the greatest opportunity to incorporate high level info and demonstrate high level analytical and evaluative skills. I recorded a blog video specifically on this – ‘Choosing a great topic for an open-ended task’.
And of course, there are those final exams. It’s essential for your teen to know and have had plenty of practice in the six elements of exam technique, as well as be very familiar with mark schemes and how they work. Plus, they need to be savvy with time management by being clear and succinct in their answers, whilst also providing the required depth and detail.
It’s a lot to consider I know, which is why I teach all of these in my 10 Week Grade Transformation Program as well as the skills and techniques of active revision and revision planning.
(When it comes to revision, there’s nothing worse than seeing a student studying hard, but revising in all the wrong ways).
So, to sum up, have your teen keep in mind this year:
- How can they manipulate tasks to allow them to operate and respond at the highest levels?
- Have they nailed the 6 elements of exam technique?
And
- Do they know if their revision techniques are what we call ‘active’ and scientifically proven to be effective
I really hope that helps with any pre-Term 1 nerves or anxieties, as well as giving you some go-to tips and strategies.
Leave me a comment or drop me an email and let me know… What’s the thing your teen’s most concerned about for the next school year, or the thing they’re most looking forward to?
And look out for my Term 1 parent information event coming up very soon.
(Totally free and with a new twist for 2019! Woop woop!).
Here’s to a SUPER-happy and successful year ahead and until next week, let’s make this a fantastic week!
Katie ?
