1. Using Cornell Notes in the Math classroom.

2. Philosophy
Main goal for this learning strategy is help students build better notes that are organized and focused on important concepts.
Helps to get students ready for taking notes at the college level.
Organizes important concepts like vocabulary, facts, and step by step process.
Creates an easier way for students to study notes.

3. Today’s Objective Teachers will:
Be able to describe the sections of the Cornell Note Page.
To describe how a student can use the Cornell style note page in class and home.
To have an example Graphic Organizer of the Cornell Notes.

4. Why use the Cornell Note-Taking System?
Critical Thinking Skills
--Students can use the notes in any class or subject.
--Allows for the student to have a step by step process and multiple problems to challenge them.
Comprehension
--Helps the student to remember what is taught in the class along with writing in their own “language.”
Study for the Test
--Can help to students to build a good set of notes that will help them prepare for the test outside of class.
Great tool to review new or old lessons, refresh pre-knowledge, or help build further insights into comprehension.

5. Cornell Notes. In your classroom you can have students
prepare to take their own notes in a style
they feel is best. Cornell notes offer the
student a set of notes that can help to
organize ideas by a title system, list new
vocabulary words along with their
definition, have specific notes that show
A formula or a process they can use, and
show example problems with worked out
solutions.
Another advantage of the Cornell Note
System is a place provided for students
to have their own worded summary of
what the lesson was about and it’s
main ideas.
There is also a place for student’s questions.

6. Graphic Organizer in Cornell Notes style
Here is a Cornell Notes style note page
that has been created by Michelle Masson
of Kofa High School. With this note page
students have a place for the title of lesson,
vocabulary, notes, practice problems,
questions, and summary. There is also a
heading that includes student provided
information along with a system that can
help to organize the objective in a numerical
system.
This graphic organize is available in
a word document that allows for changes as
needed from the lesson, more vocabulary
space, special notes, or extra problems.

7. Instruction Overview Instructions
Have student start with labeling the header with their name, date, and lesson title.
Move onward to the vocabulary section and discuss the use and definition of the word(s).
Specific notes can include as needed formula(s) or a step by step process that will help to solve/simplify the problems.
Guided practice allows for the teacher and student to go through problems together or on their own, but still have a works shown problem for future reference.
Questions area is placed for the student to write what comes to their mind during the lesson or even the practice problems.
Summary at the end allows for the student to write a recap in their own words of what the lesson entails or even things to watch out for during the problems.

8. Graphic Organizer Note page
Heading information
Student can label the date of the lesson along with title and have an optional numerical listing.
Using the title can help the student to reinforce the ideas of the vocabulary and what they are actually trying to do.
Vocabulary is listed and can hold as many words as you need to insert. Space is also provided for the student to write the definition of the word.
Great tool for students and teachers to keep everything organized and easy to find.

9. Vocabulary
With the note page template you can edit the vocabulary section to include as many words as needed.
This can help with students having confusion on what the instructions tell them to do. For example Solve vs. Simplify.
The vocabulary can be used in a way that allows for you to let students define a word in their own way or use the actual definition as stated.

10. Notes
Since you have a digital note page the notes section can be designed as per the lesson’s needs.
Specific formulas can be demonstrated here to show students how to use or manipulate for the problem.
A step by step process can be listed for the students to use in order to solve/simplify the problem.

11. Guided Practice
Guided practice allows for all types of problems from the lesson to be shown.
The note page can allow for multiple problems to be shown or just one problem to be shown with a greater emphasis on justification of each step.
Space is left to show each step; it is also encouraged that students write why the action is being perform at that step for later referencing.
Problems can be selected from any source or even a math problem that you create can be placed into the note page.

12. Questions/Summary
As with Cornell notes there is place for a questions column where the student can write their questions about the lesson or lecture.
It is encouraged that the student should have at least 2 questions.
A summary should be written by the student so they can reference the notes at a later date and with a quick overview understand from their own words what the lesson was about.

13. How to earn additional Professional Development on this strategy
Write your lesson plan incorporating the strategy.
Implement that lesson and save any artifacts for documentation.
Contact your mentor via and provide the following information:
When did you use the strategy?
When would you like to meet? (15 minutes after school)
Mentor will send you a self-reflection form to complete & confirm possible meeting time.
For the meeting bring the following:
Hard copy of the lesson
Student artifacts
Completed self-reflection form

14. Follow up questions 1. What did you learn or find interesting?
2. How can you apply this knowledge or information to your own classroom or lessons?
3. Did you find this information useful or relevant?
4. What specific information stood out for you? Please explain.
5. Do you have any follow up questions or comments? 14

15. Sources used
Michelle Masson’s Math Note Page Template.

16. Contact Information
* Chris Franey is in the math department.
* If you have any questions on how to implement the strategy, please contact him at: