As SOL testing approaches, Virginia teachers turn to review packets and study guides to help students prepare. But, it isn’t enough to hand out a study guide and hope students actually look at it. Students need to be explicitly taught how to use study guides.
Remember, as an adult, you’ve had years of practice using study guides, but many of our upper elementary students are seeing them for the first time. Taking the time to build understanding around how to use a study guide will be beneficial now and throughout your students’ futures.
Why Use Study Guides for SOL Testing?
Before jumping into how to use study guides, let’s talk about why study guides are worth using in the first place. For students, study guides can:
- Build confidence before assessments
- Reinforce important skills and concepts
- Encourage independent review (in the classroom and at home)
- Reduce test anxiety by making expectations clear
When paired with engaging activities, study guides become more than just a review of the Virginia SOLs— they become a powerful learning tool.
Now, let’s dive into the steps students need to know to get the most out of study guides!
Step #1: Notice the Page
In my first year of teaching, my class had an amazing reading coach who taught them to “notice the page” whenever they were first given a study guide. I found this practice to be so successful that I have continued to use it throughout my entire teaching career.
To “notice the page,” students take a highlighter and circle, underline, highlight, etc., parts of the page that stand out. This may include things such as:
- The title
- Key vocabulary
- Headings
- Bolded or italicized words
- Images or diagrams
Often, these parts of a study guide stand out because they are important. Therefore, getting students to recognize and reflect on these items first can give them a better understanding of what the study guide is about and help them make better inferences and connections as they read through the entire study guide.
When first learning how to use study guides, take time to discuss what students highlighted and why before moving on to Step #2. As students become more experienced with using study guides, you can shorten the discussion in Step #1.
Step #2: Independent Reading
After students have taken the time to notice and reflect on the highlighted information, it is time to read through the whole study guide.
During the first read-through, I have students read independently and keep a list of questions as they read.
Step #3: Group Reading
After students have read through independently, read through the study guide 1-2 times as a class. This part also works well during guided instruction with a small group of students.
As you go through the study guide as a group:
- Take time to explain each section of the study guide.
- Encourage students to draw pictures or write any helpful reminders in the margins of the study guide.
- Answer any questions students wrote down when they read through independently.
This is the time to make sure students really understand both how to use study guides and the content within them.
Step #4: Make It Interactive
Now that students know how to use study guides and have had time to thoroughly review the information, use the study guide for SOL review games and activities.
I have another post on my blog where I list some of my favorite games and activities to use alongside study guides. The best part about study guide games is that they are no-prep and give the students more ownership over their review. You can find my complete list of study guide games and activities in this blog post.
When to Use Study Guides?
I have Virginia SOL-aligned study guides in my store for science, math, 3rd grade social studies, Virginia Studies, and US History.
Most of my Virginia SOL-aligned study guides come with three versions to meet the needs of every classroom. (*Please note* that my math study guides only include the completed version, whereas all other study guides include the three versions listed below.)
- Completed version– The Completed Study Guide is completely filled out. Just print and give to students.
- Study Guide for Student Completion– The Study Guide for Student Completion is similar to the Completed Study Guide but is missing some terms and includes short-response questions for students to answer. With this version, you can have students complete it independently or in partners, and review the answers as a class. This version allows for a more interactive review experience.
- Digital Study Guide– The Digital Study Guide includes both the Completed Study Guide and the Study Guide for Student Completion in Google Slides format. You can assign this version in Google Classroom to use with virtual or hybrid students. This version is also good for students prone to losing paper.
Each version is 1-2 pages. All of my SOL study guides feature key terms, images and models, and an explanation of important concepts covered in the Virginia SOLs. The information is presented in kid-friendly language.
Virginia SOL Study Guides
Teaching students how to use study guides is about more than preparing for a single test. It’s about giving them a lifelong learning strategy. When students know how to review intentionally, check their understanding, and take ownership of their preparation, they become more confident and capable learners.
As you prepare for SOL testing, remember that the goal isn’t just to “get through” the study guide. It’s to help students use it as a tool for thinking, reflecting, and growing. With the right approach, study guides can shift from a routine assignment to a meaningful part of your instruction— and a key factor in student success.
As a reminder, the following SOL-aligned study guides are available in my store.
- 3rd Grade Math
- 4th Grade Math
- 5th Grade Math
- 3rd Grade Science
- 4th Grade Science
- 5th Grade Science
- 3rd Grade Social Studies
- Virginia Studies
- US History
Have you heard of the Virginia Teacher Club®? The Virginia Teacher Club® is a one-of-a-kind program for upper elementary teachers in Virginia. Members receive instant access to a curriculum library of SOL-aligned math, science, social studies, and ELA resources. There are lesson plans, games, assessments, passages, digital activities, and more for EVERY SOL. By using the Virginia Teacher Club®, our members save hours of planning time every month and have access to high-quality, SOL-aligned resources that students love.
CLICK HERE to join the waitlist and be the first to know when the Virginia Teacher Club® reopens for new members.
