Interactive Notebooks Donielle Albrecht Cordova High School

What is an Interactive Notebook? Notebook designed to record, collect, and analyze information in a variety of ways Incorporates various writing and graphic techniques to help improve critical thinking skills Notes taken on right page Students then “do something” with these ideas on the left »A creative way for students to organize class materials and information

Why use Interactive Notebooks? Improves organizational techniques Encourages critical thinking skills Helps students synthesize and evaluate information Helps students with various learning styles Encourages students to be more creative and independent in their thinking

OLD vs. NEW 3 Ring Binder- Dividers Has clear sections/tabs Does not separate materials by units or themes Not a useful study tool Students rarely keep up with organization –No interaction with notes taken –Easy to teach/organize Interactive Notebook Separates materials by units or themes Useful study tool prior to tests Students have to stay organized Students must “interact” with their notes Difficult learning curve for students at first

OLD vs. NEW 3 Ring Binder- Dividers Students were only okay about bringing to class on a regular basis Interactive Notebooks Students almost always have notebook They know they will use it every day

What will Students Need? Supplies: –A spiral notebook (Five star Mead) –Glue –Pens –Colored Pencils –Hi-Lighters –Scissors

What “extras” will teachers need? Graphic Organizers Outline Maps and ImagesOutline MapsImages Rubrics –World Geography – ChapterChapter –AP Human Geography/ ThemesThemes Also: Time and patience initially

Getting Started: Create Cover Page –Includes Course Name –Student’s Name –Teacher’s name –Should be colorful and well designed –First impact as open notebook

Beginning of a Unit or Theme Title Page (Right Page) Images (Left Page) –Have student preview chapter to get ideas for illustrations Vocabulary (Right Page) Images of Vocab (Left Page)

The Input Side= Right Lecture notes Worksheets Video Notes “Testable information” REMEMBER: WRITE ON THE RIGHT!

The Output Side = Left Used to process the new ideas that student is learning Creates personal meaning Reinforcement Organizes information Illustrations, Graphs, Maps -- LABELED »Writing poetry, lyrics »Comics, cartoons »News Articles

Helpful Hints: Rubric at beginning of unit Allow class time to work on notebooks early on in the year Must teach the process Encourage colorful work for chunking of information and appeal Provide graphic organizers for students »Include points for creativity- encourages more effort !

More suggestions…. Grade them the day of unit tests Takes only a few minutes to grade each one if using rubric Do not grade them at home--- HEAVY! Encourage highlighting, underlining of notes so they review them Extra 5 minutes left in class? Have them do a left page »Keep using strategy even though they struggle!

From the Students: Positives Keeps them organized Get credit for classwork Helps them study and with test prep Great when teacher is efficient –Shows cumulative work- PRIDE! Negatives Time consuming Left pages challenges them sometimes Pages rip out Heavy

From the Teacher: More planning involved Creates routine, improves organization Single best teaching strategy I have incorporated Relates well to geography as we are a visual discipline! Great for freshman that need study skills and organizational help »Great for AP, Honors and Standard Courses!

Contact Info: Donielle Albrecht Cordova High