How to Take Notes

General Lesson Schedule Read material from textbook 1-2 days of independent note-taking 1-2 days of discussion Activity/lab Review Quiz/Test Clarification (quiz/test corrections) Self-quizzing with flash cards throughout the week

Fun Fridays Participation based on completion of work and individual behavior Proof that you’ve completed all notes and assignments Notes must be on index cards Missed working during absences will be made up on Fridays (or tutoring) I’ll be keeping track of your behavior throughout the week (how many times I have to tell you to go back to your seat, stop talking, etc.) If you cannot participate in Fun Friday, you’ll have graded worksheet

Why bother taking notes if Ms. Chutkan is just going to go over it? Presentations are discussions, not lectures Independent note-taking provides knowledge for you that I can build on Easier to take notes when you have information down (less writing for you) Easier to listen when you already have information down You’ll be able to participate in the discussion and answer questions More interesting than listening to me talk at you for 40 minutes.

Why bother taking notes if Ms Why bother taking notes if Ms. Chutkan is just going to post it on her website? You should be reading the material! Context (explanation) Learn how to find information for yourself Work at your own pace You need to write all the notes that I provide on your notecard if you don’t already have it You’re supposed to have more information on your card than what’s in my notes

Online Notes Notes are posted on weebly the day before the discussion day Fill out existing cards (no writing on discussion days) You still have to write on independent note-taking day! Optional: print out notes and keep in your science folder

Interactive Flashcards Desktop – www.cram.com Android – Cram.com Flashcards iPhone – Flashcards with Cram My username – Chutkan_Science

Components of an Effective Definition Paraphrase Keywords Description Associated words/phrases Example Illustration

Textbook definitions aren’t enough! How are the particles of a gas different from the particles of a liquid? A. They move more slowly B. They are farther apart. C. They have less energy D. They have stronger attractions. Liquid: matter with a definite volume but no definite shape Gas: matter that has no definite volume and no definite shape

Paraphrase Describe the in your own words Shorthand (not complete sentences) How would you explain it to another student who doesn’t understand it?

Keywords Once you write the textbook definition, go back and highlight/underline the keywords in the text Keywords are words that stand out Think of the words you would Google if you couldn’t remember the term but you could remember the definition

Keywords Example: Homogeneous mixture: a mixture in which two or more substances are evenly mixed, but not bonded together

Keywords Example: Homogeneous mixture: a mixture in which two or more substances are evenly mixed, but not bonded together

Description Characteristics Properties Appearance Additional relevant information

Description Page 206

Description Page 209

Description Example of descriptions for homogeneous mixture: Can be separated by boiling or evaporation Can’t tell the differences between substances under a microscope (where one begins and the other ends)

Associated words/phrases Words or phrases connected to your term Other related vocabulary terms? Prefix? Root? Suffix? When you hear the term, what are some other words or phrases that come to mind?

Associated words/phrases Vocabulary terms? Connected words? Prefix/root/suffix?

Associated words/phrases A.k.a. solution Mixture, solvent, solute, substance Root word: homo- (the same)

Example Representations of that term Usually provided in the book Choose the example that makes the most sense to you

Example Ex. brass, lemonade and air

Illustration Diagrams, charts, etc. If there’s an image of the term in the textbook, draw it on your card You can put illustrations on their own cards if you need to

Illustration Page 207, Table 2

Using the appendix (index) Disorganized layout to textbook Some information may not be located in the page range I give you After you’re done with your notes, go to the appendix and look up each term Go to the pages you haven’t read yet, and add to your cards

Note-Taking Tips You can find a lot of information in tables and figures Use words and phrases that make sense to you Don’t try to write in complete sentences (except for definition) Add information to index cards as needed (later on in the reading, the class, the week, the month, etc.)

Note-Taking Tips Re-read notes when you’re done writing them, and rewrite for clarity if needed Compare notes with your peers and discuss them at the appropriate time to see if they have a perspective that might be helpful to you

How do you know if you truly understand an idea or concept? You can explain it to someone else who doesn’t understand it in a way that will make sense to them Practice explaining it to others in terms they’ll understand Be able to answer questions that may come up

Why use index cards? Ready-made flash cards (easier to quiz yourself) Quicker to find specific concepts Easier to choose only a few concepts at a time Easier to add information to each concept Relieves boredom of reading your notes in the same order every time Much more efficient studying technique

Index Cards Ask your parents to get you some index cards (they’re not expensive and they’re sold all over the place) If you don’t have any cards in class, write your notes on notebook paper and transfer to cards later Don’t ask other students for cards

Index Card Organization I can’t provide rubber bands to you anymore You can use a large paper clip or binder clips to keep them together If you don’t have an index card holder, you can use a ziplock bag or other pouch Bring all you cards to school with you every day

How to Write Notes on Index Cards You can fit a lot more information on 4”x6” cards than 3”x5” Try to be as neat as possible Write on the lines the way you would notebook paper Additional information can be written in the margins

Why use index cards?

Section # Vocabulary Word 1/2

Section # Vocabulary Word (Drawing) 2/2