Note Taking and Reading Comprehension Unit 5 Academic Strategies Instructor: Leticia Apolinaris Welcome and please feel free to chat with each other until class starts. I will see you all shortly!

Unit 5 Seminar Agenda  Initial Greetings and Hellos  Note taking methods  Reading comprehension and reading methods  Review of what is due in Unit 5  Case Study  General Questions and Answers

First… Note Taking

Why Take Notes?  Note taking can improve our focus and concentration. Note taking help us stay actively involved and on task. When we actively take notes it is harder to drift off.  Note taking can improve comprehension. To take notes we must digest/ understand the information. To take notes we must represent the information.  Note taking promotes retention. The more we interact with material, the more likely we are to remember it. The more ways we experience information the more likely we are to remember it (this includes all senses!).

Why Take Notes? continued…  Note taking helps us to identify key points. Good notes are clues to what the instructor thinks are key points (most instructors stress and/or repeat important information). Note taking forces us to analyze and organize information in a different way than it has been presented to us.  Notes can contain information that is not found elsewhere. Sometimes things are covered in class that are not in the text. Sometimes we present information to ourselves in a way that is most helpful and memorable to us.

Why Take Notes? continued…  Notes taking can be a helpful step in prewriting. Note taking can be a wonderful brainstorming tool. We can use our notes to review relevant information. Our notes can help us to plan out our writing. We can use notes to help us organize details and facts before we begin to write.  Notes can be helpful study tools. We can use our notes for review Some people benefit from copying and recopying notes We can use our notes to quiz ourselves or have someone else quiz us

Note Taking - ThinkTime 1.Which of these reasons for note taking do you find to be most compelling or motivating? Why? 2.How could more developed note taking skills be helpful to you? (personally, academically, and professionally).

5 Methods of Note Taking Cornell Method Outline Method Mapping Method Charting Method Sentence Method Note: there are more methods than this but these are the ones we will review in this seminar

Method #1 The Cornell Method

Cornell Method – How It’s Done 1. Use a vertical line to divide your paper from top to bottom into two unequal “compartments.” a) Create a smaller part on the left (about 2.5 inches) b) Create a larger part on the right (the rest of the page) 2. While you read or listen, write information in the larger area. Use bullet points for easy review later. 3. Once done, review notes and write a key word or phrase in the smaller margin on the left. These words will serve as guideposts when you review your notes.

Cornell Method - Example Key WordsNotes over content of lecture and/or reading focus and concentration comprehension retention of information identify key points - Note taking help us stay actively involved and on task. - When we actively take notes it is harder to drift off. - To take notes we must digest / understand the information. - To take notes we must represent the information. - The more we interact with material, the more likely we are to remember it. - The more different ways we experience information the more likely we are to remember it (this includes hearing, sight, touch, smell, and even taste!). - Good notes are clues to what the instructor thinks are key points (most instructors stress and/or repeat important information). - Note taking forces us to analyze and organize information in a different way than it has been presented to us.

Cornell Method – Great for Review! 1. Cover the details in your notes and leave the key words exposed. You can do this by folding your paper. 2. Say the key word(s) out loud and then recite as much as you can about that topic. 3. Keep studying until what you say about the topic matches the notes you’ve written. If you can say it, you know it! 4. Cornell Method notes can also be used this way when you have someone else quiz you.

Cornell Method - ThinkTime  What are the advantages to the Cornell Method?  What are the disadvantages?  Do you think the Cornell Method could be a good fit for you? Why or why not?

Method #2 The Outline Method

Outline Method – How It’s Done 1. Write main points flush left. 2. Indent and add sub points below corresponding main points. 3. Add supporting details to sub points as needed. 4. Place major points furthest to the left; indent more specific points to the right. 5. Use position to indicate levels of importance. 6. Use roman numerals, numbers, and letters to organize information.

Outline Method - Example I. Note taking helps us to identify key points A. Good notes are clues to what the instructor thinks are key points (most instructors stress and/or repeat important information). B. Note taking forces us to analyze and organize information in a different way than it has been presented to us. II. Notes can contain information that is not found elsewhere A. Sometimes things are covered in class that are not in the text. B. Sometimes we present information to ourselves in a way that is most helpful and memorable to us. Note: This is the same information presented earlier but with roman numerals and letters used for organization and to denote the “rank” of different points.

Outlining – Great for Organization  Use an outline to organize your notes in a way that shows which points are the most important.  Use an outline to organize your information before you start writing.  Use an outline to present information in a way that is easy to review at any level – either a quick review of main points or a more in depth review of all points.

Outline Method - ThinkTime  What are the advantages to the Outline Method?  What are the disadvantages?  Do you think the Outline Method could be a good fit for you? Why or why not?

Method #3 The Mapping Method

Mapping Method – How It’s Done 1.Write your topic in a bubble in the center of your page. 2.Write subtopics in bubbles that “grow” from the main topic bubble – think of an octopus with many arms. 3.Write supporting points in bubbles that “grow” from the subtopics – think of an octopus with fingers. Note: This is a graphic representation of your notes. This may be a good method for a visual learner and/or someone who wants a visual representation of relationships.

Mapping Method – Example Note Taking Methods The Cornell Method The Outline Method The Mapping Method The Charting Method The Sentence Method

Mapping– Great for “Thinking on Paper”  Use this method when you need to show the relationship of one piece of information to another. The Mapping Method can quickly and easily show relationships at a glance.  Use the Mapping Method when you brainstorm to gather ideas for a paper or project. This method can be a wonderful prewriting tool.  The Mapping Method can be used as a quick review to freshen your mind before a test or quiz. Either quickly review your mapped notes or write your topic in the middle of a page and see how many details you can recall.

Mapping Method – ThinkTime  What are the advantages to the Mapping Method?  What are the disadvantages?  Do you think the Mapping Method could be a good fit for you? Why or why not?

Method #4 The Charting Method

Charting Method – How It’s Done 1. Create a block style chart – whatever shape and size you need for the information you want to record. 2. Place categories along the side and top of your chart. 3. Place information in the chart. 4. Color code your chart if you think it would be helpful. Note: This is another graphic representation of your notes. Therefore, this may be a good method for a visual learner and/or someone who wants to track specific or detailed information like dates or events.

Charting Method – Example Method Visual Learner Techniques Kinesthetic Learner Techniques Auditory Learner Techniques Cornell Fold paper to conceal details and quiz self. Reveal details to check. Write out notes, fold paper, quiz self using key words on left of page. Review notes aloud or have someone quiz you orally using your notes. Outline Examine structure of notes. Pay attention to “rank” of each detail. Write and recopy notes. Notice physical placement of points and sub points. Review notes aloud or have someone quiz you orally using your notes. Mapping Create a visual image and try to remember it. Note categories & relationships. Craft a visual representation of relationships. Creatively embellish /color code. Make jingles to review. Include relationships -- “The leg bone connects to the foot bone.” Charting Create a visual image and try to remember it. Note categories & relationships. Craft a visual representation of information and categories. Review notes aloud or have someone quiz you orally. Put details on tape and listen. Sentence Number list to visually organize information. Star or underline key points. Craft a list of key points. Star, underline, or otherwise highlight key information. Review notes aloud or have someone quiz you orally using your notes.

Charting – Great for Organization  Use the charting method to keep track of specific data that might be cumbersome if presented in other ways.  Use charts for a quick review of detailed information.  Use to make note of and review information when you will be tested on both facts and the relationships between facts.  Use when you want to reduce the amount of time you spend writing and/or editing.

Charting Method - ThinkTime  What are the advantages to the Charting Method?  What are the disadvantages?  Do you think Charting Method could be a good fit for you? Why or why not?

Method #5 The Sentence Method

Sentence Method – How It’s Done 1.Identify important information. 2.Write information in a list of sentences. 3.Number sentences if it is helpful. 4.Star, highlight, or color code notes it helpful. Note: Color coding and highlighting can be used with any of the methods if it is helpful. It is particularly well suited to the sentence method since without it none of the points stand out from the others.

Sentence Method – Example 1. Note taking can improve our focus and concentration. 2. Note taking can improve reading comprehension and lecture comprehension. 3. Note taking promotes retention of information. 4. Note taking helps us to identify key points. 5. Notes can contain information that is not found elsewhere. 6. Notes taking can be a helpful step in prewriting. 7. Notes can be helpful study tools.

Sentence Method – Quick and Easy  Use when the lecture or reading assignment is heavy with content.  Use when you have time to take notes but not to organize them at that moment (you can organize them differently later).  Use when you can clearly identify the important information in a lecture or reading but you do not yet know how the pieces of information fit together.

Sentence Method - ThinkTime  What are the advantages to the Sentence Method?  What are the disadvantages?  Do you think the Sentence Method could be a good fit for you? Why or why not?

Next … Reading Comprehension

Active & Passive Reading  ACTIVE readers fully involve themselves in the reading process, which facilitates greater understanding of the subject matter.  PASSIVE readers simply read the words on the page, but take no positive action to ensure the material is being understood or retained.

Your ability to improve your reading comprehension depends on at least three factors:  Your MOTIVATION to learn  Your CONCENTRATION skills  The use of a good READING METHOD

SQ3R Technique  S = Survey  Q = Question  R = Read  R = Recite  R = Review More details on each coming up!

SURVEY  Think about the title – guess what will be included in the chapter.  Read the intro and main headings to get a picture of the main ideas.  Read the summary. Here is the relationship between the main ideas.  If there are questions at the end of the chapter, read them first. That will help you to identify the important parts of the chapter.

QUESTION  Turn each heading and subheading into a questions. Especially while you are practicing this technique, write the questions down.  You are looking or something rather than simply looking at words – you are looking for answers!

READ & RECITE  Read only that section, looking for the answers to your questions. Sort out ideas and evaluate them – if the content doesn’t relate to your question, give it only a glance. Read Selectively!  Recite – answer the question in your own words. Then write the answer using only key words.

REVIEW  Increase retention and cut cramming time by 90% by means of immediate and delayed review.  Actively review the notes you took – use as many of your senses as possible to increase retention!  Sight/Reading, Sound/Reciting material, Touch/Writing material. More senses activated = more stuff remembered!

Other methods  PORPE Predict Organize Rehearse Practice Evaluate  KWL Know What to know Learn

To-Do For Unit 5  Readings  Take the self-quiz on the three companies This is not graded  Assignment Using note-taking methods, take notes on two of the LASSI modules and reflect on why these modules are important to you The modules and descriptions of each are included under the Assignment heading in Unit 5  Tip: Use the provided template  Discussion Board The results from the above-mentioned self-quiz will be needed for this question Answer the initial question and respond to your classmates Post as often as possible throughout the week, aiming for the beginning, middle and end of the unit

Questions? Have a great week and weekend! I will see you on the DB! Be sure to contact me with any questions lapolinarissmsw (AIM name) Virtual Office in the classroom Take care and I’ll see you next week! BYE!!