Note Taking Matt Marting
Importance ▪ Helps in retaining information learned from various sources in class ▪ Choose ways that make sense to you so you can better understand and retain information ▪ Valuable in reviewing for assessments and daily lessons ▪ Keeps you on track with material in class ▪ Helps keep you organized
Different Types of Note Taking Methods: Outline
Different Types of Note Taking Methods: Cornell Notes
Different Types of Note Taking Methods: Mind Mapping
Different Types of Note Taking Methods: Column Notes
Various Types of Resources in Which Notes Provided in Classes ▪ PowerPoint presentations ▪ Guided notes (fill-in the blank) ▪ Worksheets and handouts ▪ Outlines ▪ Textbooks ▪ Web quests ▪ Study guides
How to Take Notes: PowerPoint Presentations ▪ Highlight the following: – Bold/italicized items – Vocabulary terms – Main ideas and key details – Any items your teacher specifically directs your attention to or asks you directly to highlight or remember for the future ▪ For clarification of any terms or concepts highlighted above, jot down using a pen or pencil key words or phrases – you can even draw small pictures if you are a visual learner ▪ Feel free to use different colors based on information/class – For example, in history, you may want to color code: people, places, events, vocabulary etc. – this helps with information retention as well!
How to Take Notes: Textbooks ▪ Be sure to “preview the text” - this allows you to have an overview of what you’ll be reading about and you’ll be better able to identify main ideas and key details – Skim chapter/section titles, headings/subheadings, graphs/charts/visuals, bold faced vocabulary terms – Read over “main ideas/objectives” often provided at the beginning of the chapter/section – Read over review questions at the end of the chapter/section ▪ Chunk reading – Read 1 paragraph or subsection at a time, pause, take note, and continue on ▪ Take Note – Using any of the methods mentioned: input main ideas (usually in relation to heading/subheading, key details (short phrases and key words), and any vocabulary/definitions
Helpful Hints ▪ Before class, skim through the next lesson’s text or topic - this will help prepare you for class and have an idea ahead of time what is important ▪ Use key words and short phrases ▪ Use symbols and abbreviations ▪ DO NOT try to write things word for word (use the above 2 strategies) ▪ Color code when possible to decipher between ideas ▪ After class, review notes for at least 5-10 minutes after class or school to make additions, corrections, and to help retain what was learned – From here you can create your own study guides and flash cards for review
Helpful Hints: Symbols and Abbreviations
Helpful Hints: Checklist
Helpful Hints: Remember the 5 R’s ▪ 1. Record – Active note taking using a method that works for you ▪ 2. Reduce – Use symbols, abbreviations, key words, and short phrases ▪ 3. Recite – Reading notes aloud helps with understanding and retention ▪ 4. Reflect – Thinking about what is written – draw conclusions and develop questions ▪ 5. Review – Revisit notes immediately and regularly