Summarizing and Note Taking

These are 2 of the most powerful skills our students can cultivate.

Summarizing To effectively summarize, students must delete, substitute and keep some information. To do this, students must analyze thoroughly. Provide opportunities for students to summarize key content. Use summary frames and other organizers to assist students who learn visually. Marzano, 2001

The Photographic Process The photography comes from the Greek word meaning “drawing from light”... Light is the most essential ingredient in photography. Nearly all forms of photography are based on the fact that certain chemicals are photosensitive. Source: From “Photography.” In Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 99, CD-ROM, Microsoft, The Photographic Process The photography comes from the Greek word meaning “drawing from light”... Light is the most essential ingredient in photography. Nearly all forms of photography are based on the fact that certain chemicals are photosensitive. Summarizing Includes Deleting and Keeping Information

Summarizing Also Includes Substituting Words The films used in photography depend on a limited number of chemical compounds that darken when exposed to light. Photography depends on chemical crystals that darken when exposed to light. Source: From “Photography”. In Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 99, CD-ROM, Microsoft, 1999.

Summarizing a Reading Selection (Fifth Grade Example)

Summarizing with Exit Slips An Exit Slip can be a one sentence summary of what the students learned during the lesson. During the last 5-10 minutes of class, inform students of the purpose of an Exit Slip. As students exit the classroom, collect their Exit Slips. *Exit Slips are a GREAT way to assess your own teaching. They tell whether the students understood the material that was presented. from Instructional Strategies for Engaging Learners Guilford County Schools TF, 2002

Summarizing with the Final Countdown Ask students to reflect on what they have learned about the topic. Use the Final Countdown strategy. First Tier - Write the three most important facts that the student learned. Second Tier - Write two questions that the student still has about the topic. Top Tier - Write one way in which the student can connect the topic to material previously learned. from Instructional Strategies for Engaging Learners Guilford County Schools TF, 2002

Summarizing with Use the strategy to summarize a topic. Write 3 things you found out Write 2 interesting things you learned Write 1 question you still have Penny Juggins of Fairfax County, VA

Summarize Using ABC Review Students use the ABC Review strategy to summarize a lesson or topic. For example, a lesson on Word Processing: A - Align B - Bold C - Center Align D - Draw E - Edit F - Format from Instructional Strategies for Engaging Learners Guilford County Schools TF, 2002

from Instructional Strategies for Engaging Learners Guilford County Schools TF, 2002

Summary Frames *The Narrative Frame *The Topic-Restriction-Illustration Frame *The Definition Frame *The Argumentation Frame *The Problem/Solution Frame *The Conversation Frame Marzano, 2001

Note Taking Verbatim note taking is the least effective way to take notes. Notes should be considered a “work in progress.” Notes should be used as study guides for tests. Use a variety of note taking formats to assist students who learn visually. Marzano, 2001

Take Notes in Outline Form

Use Graphics When Note Taking

Responsibilities of a Good Citizen Interactive Notebook with Graphics (Second Grade Example)

Graphics for the Five Regions of Virginia (Fifth Grade Example)

Science Notes with Graphics (Second Grade)

Make a Time Line with Graphics (Fifth Grade Example)

Use Teacher-Created Fill in the Blank The Water Cycle Interactive Notebook (Third Grade Example)

Use Charts to Take Notes Ancient China & Ancient Egypt (Second Grade Example)

Use a Flow Chart to Take Notes On How to Plant a Seed (Third Grade Example)

Use a Flow Chart to Take Notes On The Rock Cycle (Fifth Grade Example)

Use a Chart for Notes on Plate Boundaries (Fifth Grade Example)

Use a Chart to Take Notes on the Powhatan, Sioux, and Pueblo Indians Interactive Notebook (Second Grade Example)

Use Kidspiration for Web Notes

Use a Venn Diagram for Note Taking on Animal and Plant Cells (Fifth Grade Example)

Use Sorting for Notes on Math Terms (Third Grade Example)

Use the Incredible Shrinking Notes Have the students listen to or read a grade appropriate reading selection. Fill out a 3x5 index card with the important facts from the reading. Narrow down those notes so that the important facts fit on a medium-size sticky note or index card. Narrow down those notes to the MOST IMPORTANT notes that will fit on a small sticky note or index card.

Make a Trading Card from the Incredible Shrinking Notes

Although we sometimes refer to summarizing and note taking as mere “study skills”, they provide students with tools for identifying and understanding the most important aspects of why they are learning. Of the nine Marzano strategies, Summarizing and Note Taking have the second largest effect size in regards to student achievement. Marzano, 2001

Helpful Websites s/marzano/ s/marzano/