Note Taking How to take good study notes

Come prepared Bring your supplies! Pen or pencil, paper, highlighters - whatever you need for class Lay all your stuff out on your desk before class begins. Get your mind focused on learning.

Keep it neat and organized Begin with writing the date at the top of your paper each day. Start a new page for each class. Space your writing so that it looks neat and not all run together.

Paraphrase Never try to write down every word the teacher says. Put things into your own words you can understand later. Use bullets or lists.

Write down big ideas Facts Connections Main ideas

Use the Q&A method Example: The koala bear is misnamed because it is not a bear at all. Koalas are in the sub-class Marsupialia which means they carry their babies in a pouch.

Q&A Q:Marsupialia A: Carries young in pouch (Also extremely cute!)

Abbreviate Use abbreviations for commonly occurring names or words. Example: Albert Einstein was a famous scientist. E died rich because he never bought conditioner. Cond. makes hair soft and keeps people from looking scary.

Gimme room! Leave space on the page to: allow room for more ideas make your notes more readable draw diagrams and pictures Moons and planets shine by reflected starlight.

Always... Write corresponding page numbers if your teacher references a textbook copy EVERYTHING the teacher writes on the board write down examples Example: 5b+7=2 5b-7=2-7 5b=-5 b=-1

words with friends Compare your notes to make sure you both heard the same information. Ask the teacher if you have questions. If you miss a class, ask your friends if you can copy their notes.

Group Practice The following slides contain information and examples. Discuss what you would include in your notes and which strategies you would use.

Math Your teacher is giving a lecture on adding and subtracting integers. After giving the definition of an integer, she writes examples on the board.

Science Your lesson includes doing a lab. Your teacher tells you that for the test you will be responsible for explaining how you did the lab and the outcome.

ELAR The koala bear of Australia is a living “Teddy Bear.” Its thick coat of gray fur is just as soft as the beloved toy. The koala has a large head, big ears and small,dark eyes that look at you without expression. Its nose, as black as patent leather,seems too big for the rest of its face.The koala is a gentle little animal. It is almost defenseless. Only its color protects it from enemies. The koala makes no nest. It just sits in the forked branches of a tree. It likes gum trees the best because it loves entirely on the leaves of the tree. Sometimes the supply of its special diet is used up. The koala, rather than seek food elsewhere, will stay in its own area and starve to death.

History Your teacher is giving a lecture on Christopher Columbus. This is what he says: In 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail across the ocean. HIs goal was to find a quicker route to China. He and his crew sailed the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria across the Atlantic to the Bahamas. Contrary to popular belief, he DID NOT discover North America nor did he land in what is now known as the U.S. That credit goes to Leif Erickson, a viking explorer who landed here about 400 years earlier.

Summary Now that you have all these strategies in your toolbox, use them! The better your notes are, the easier it will be to study for tests. And the better you study, the better your grades will be.