1. How to Own Your Textbook and how to make sure it doesn’t own you!

2. How do I effectively read my textbook?  Make sure you are focused while reading; consider your environment  You have different purposes for different types of text  When you are assigned to read a chapter in a textbook, you need to:  Analyze the reading task  Make a plan for reading  Use a note-taking strategy to help you retain what you read

3. Analyze the Reading Task  What is the overall text pattern?  Survey the text for the most important ideas  How do these ideas fit in with what has been previously learned?  How do they tie into the most important idea?  Are you noticing a pattern?  Examine the relationships between the headings and subheadings

4. Select a Note-Taking Strategy  “But why must we take notes???” whined all of the students.  Clarifies relationships  Putting together an outline is like putting together a puzzle  Helps students analyze and synthesize relationships in a text  Helps to evaluate the author’s main points  Helps to build a foundation for discussion

5. Why Taking Notes Rules  Your notes are living, breathing animals  You can add to them, rewrite them, revise them, learn from them, shorten them  You can personalize your notes by developing a system of abbreviations—almost like texting  You can add sketches and diagrams and timelines—show your thinking process  Rereading your notes is far easier than rereading the chapter!

6. Do all notes look alike? How do I know my style of note- taking is correct?  Do your notes show that some ideas are more important than others?  Can you tell the difference between the major and minor ideas?  Does your strategy show that you understand the relationships between the ideas?  Do you copy word for word from the text?  Answer key: yes, yes, yes, NO!!!!!

7. It’s time to get metacognitive!  Know how your brain works, then choose the style that works best for you  The best method is probably a combination!  One more time... “Why do we have to take notes???” the students whined.  Because we forget! (Pauk, 1978)  Options: outline, semantic mapping, text annotations, series of events chain, network tree, timeline

8. Try It Out!  You’ve just completed chapter 8; take a minute to reflect on the major ideas and themes you’ve covered so far (Hint—skim over old notes to help you remember!)  What are the big ideas?  Analyze the text assigned—chapter 9  Take 4 minutes to look at: timeline, comprehension questions, vocabulary, headings and subheadings, diagrams, pictures and captions; consider how this new information will be integrated into the big idea  Develop a plan for reading  Select your note-taking strategy and get reading!  Monitor your pace and monitor your ability to focus  Compare with a partner