T AKING E FFECTIVE N OTES

Taking notes from textbooks is a way to organize and remember what you read

R EAD F IRST ! Read through the information in your textbook first, before taking notes. It is tempting to take notes as you are reading the first time, but this is not an efficient technique: you are likely to take down too much information and simply copy without understanding.

P REPARING TO T AKE N OTES Just as it is necessary to be prepared to take notes for a lecture, you must be prepared to take notes from your Textbooks. Supplies needed: Highlighters Eraser A pen or pencil Plenty of Paper

H IGHLIGHTING ! Highlighting helps you become more engaged because you are focusing on locating important information Do not highlight the entire page! Highlight Key Terms Information that is unfamiliar Specific information, such as names of people or places, significant dates, certain theories, formulas, and concepts.

T AKING N OTES Once you have highlighted, summarize the text in your own words. Do not copy it directly. Putting the textbook information in your own words forces you to become actively involved with the material. THINK CRITICALLY!

R EVIEW When it is Test Time, review your notes to refresh any key terms and/or concepts that may still have trouble with.

M ETHODS BESIDES C ORNELL N OTES These methods can be used when you read, a professor lectures, when you are writing a research paper or to generate ideas. The Outline The Mind Map The T Chart The Venn Diagram The Question, Answer, Evidence Model

O UTLINE M ETHOD

M IND MAPPING TEMPLATE

T-C HART E XAMPLES

C OMPARE AND CONTRAST THINGS

Q UESTION, ANSWER AND EVIDENCE M

LET’S PRACTICE!

I NTERACTIVE WORK At your tables you will now practice taking notes using a specific method together. Each group will annotate on the poster paper provided. One leader present how notes were taken. H OMEWORK You must choose one method and take notes either in a lecture at the college. A textbook reading or A JECA teacher lecture. DUE NEXT CLASS PERIOD (FRIDAY).

CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING Fill out an EXIT Ticket and place it in the mailbox!