I have found that many students benefit from "learning how to take tests." How to treat first impressions, how to search for what the question is realloy asking for, being aware of key the "comanment" words and how to find answers to other questions in questions.

I prefer to use the white board for both my course outline, class time line and class objectives. By writing them out, I review them in my mind and provide the student with a way of organizing the material that works.

One method I have used in dealing with unruly students especially when acused of playing favorites is to say- "yes, Jane is my favorite but can you tell me why?" This challenges them to think and asked themselves- "does he really play favorites? Why is it Jane? What can I do to be a favorite."