Cornell Notes How did you learn the skill of note taking? How did this skill contribute to your success?

Today’s Essential Question How can I use Cornell Notes to help my students master the content in my classroom?

Why take notes? Requires students to stay alert in class Helps students stay engaged in reading and class lectures Provides a resource for making active contributions to collaborative groups

Cornell Note Taking Method A systematic format of taking detailed notes from class lectures and texts in the wide RIGHT margin Develop and clarifying ideas or questions regarding those notes in the LEFT margin

When it comes time for a student to study for an exam, students cover the right side of the notes and use the questions on the left to check off what they already know

The Cornell note taking method was developed by Dr. Walter Pauk in 1949. He was Cornell University’s reading and study center director.

Materials Loose-leaf paper Copies of templates

How should notes be recorded? Record in paragraphs, skipping lines to separate information logically. Don’t force an outlining system, but do use obvious numbering. Strive to get main ideas down. Facts, details, and examples are important, but they are meaningful ONLY with concepts. Use abbreviations, graphic organizers, or pictures when they are helpful.

How should notes be refined? Write questions in the left column about the information in the right. Check or correct incomplete items such as loose dates, terms, and names; add details to notes that are too brief for recall months later Read the notes and underline key words and phrases

Read the underlined words Read the underlined words. In the left column, write recall cues (key words and very brief phrases that will trigger ideas/facts on the right) * These are in addition to the questions At the bottom of the page, write a reflective paragraph or summary of the notes. If possible, compare notes with a study buddy.

What are ways to recite notes? Cover up the right side of the page, read the questions, recite information as fully as possible Uncover the sheet and verify the information frequently

Reflect on the organization of all the lectures Reflect on the organization of all the lectures. Overlap notes and read recall cues from the left side. Study the progression of the information. This will stimulate categories, relationships, inferences, personal opinions/experiences. Record all of these insights REFLECTION IS THE KEY TO MEMORY!

How can I write down all that is being said? Use abbreviations and clues Write notes in your own words Write in phrases Write quickly, but legibly: your notes don’t have to be perfect Try to write down the outline the teacher is using, looking for organization

Leave plenty of room to go back and add details Sometimes there is no organization, take down what you can and sort it out later with a friend, the teacher, or your textbook Be selective: Too many notes destroy the value of note-taking. If you find you are not writing fast enough, it may mean you are writing too much