Independent Split-Page Note Taking (also called Cornell Notes)

1. IndependentSplit-Page Note Taking(also called Cornell Notes) A Research-Based Strategy for IncreasingStudent Achievement

2. Why take notes? • Note taking stimulates critical thinking skills. • Note taking helps students remember what is said in class. • A good set of notes can help students work on assignments and prepare for tests outside of the classroom. • Note taking is required for this course.

3. Why take notes? • Good notes allow students to help each other problem solve. • Good Notes help students organize and process data and information. • Helps student recall by getting them to process their notes 3 times. • Writing is a great tool for learning!

4. What Does the Research Indicate about Note Taking? • Verbatim note taking is, perhaps, the least effective way to take notes. • Notes should be considered a work in progress. • Notes should be used as study guides for tests. • The more notes that are taken, the better.

5. Why should you take notes? To minimize your “rate of forgetting” Dr. Walter Pauk, Cornell University Reading Center - Research Don’t take notes = Forget 60 % in 14 days Take some notes = Remember 60 % Take organized notes and do something with them = Remember 90-100% indefinitely! Split-Page Note Taking

6. WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES? • It is a method for mastering information--not just recording facts. • It is efficient. • Each step prepares the way for the next part of the learning process. • They count as 10% of your overall grade.

7. When should you take notes? Notes are a record of your learning, so take them when: You listen to a lecture You read a text You watch a film You work in a group on an activity You need to recall information about what happened to you in a class, meeting, or activity--which means always! Always Split-Page Note Taking

8. Format For Split-Page Note Taking

9. Independent Note Taking Template: Split Page with Summary Name: Date: Subject: Page number: Topic (lesson Title)

10. Date Page Number Name Subject Topic Questions, Subtitles, Headings, Etc. Class Notes 3” vertical line, about one third of distance from the left. • horizontal line about five lines up from the bottom. 3 to 4 sentence Summary across the bottom of the last page of the topic’s notes

11. What goes where? Don’t forget the heading: Name, Subject, Date, Page, Topic Questions, subtitles, etc. go here, in the left hand column. Remember, we want higher level critical thinking questions. Notes go here, in the large right hand column. A 3 to 4 sentence summary down there on the bottom of the last page of notes

12. HOW SHOULD NOTES BE RECORDED? • Are recorded on the right side of the page. • Record notes in paragraphs, skipping lines to separate information logically. • Don’t force an outlining system, but do use any obvious numbering. • Strive to get main ideas down. Facts, details, and examples are important, but they’re meaningful only with concepts. • Use abbreviations for extra writing and listening time. • Use graphic organizers or pictures when they are helpful.

13. What should I place on the left side? Questions which are answered in the notes on the right Questions you still need the answer Questions the teacher might ask on a test Higher level thinking questions Key terms, vocabulary words, or dates Diagrams or figures Reference pages in a text Split-Page Note Taking

14. So, what about the bottom of my paper? • Summary - review notes as soon as possible after class and write a summary in your own words about the main ideas. Are there any gaps in your understanding? (see next point) • Questions for the teacher. • Doodles - down here they won’t get in the way of the important stuff. What belongs in the bottom space? Summary, questions, doodles

15. NOTETAKING TIPS HOW TO DO MORE THAN PASS!

16. John Doe Biology • STEPS • Name/Subject • Date/Page • Divider • Title • Notes • Questions • Summary USE Split-Page NOTES 8/20/02 Page 1 Why do Ps have flat feet? What is counter -current flow? PENGUINS • Ps have flat feet • Better to swim with • Like swim fins • Ps have special blood • circulation system • Counter current flow • Warm blood from heart • warms cold blood from feet • Prevents freezing Penguins are designed for their cold, ocean habitat. They have flat feet for swimming and counter -current blood flow to stay warm.

17. Never use the class name as a title. • Use the overall topic of the lesson. • Be specific. A GOOD TITLE MATH PERIMETER GEOMETRY

18. Keywords • Main Ideas • Important Concepts • New Vocabulary IMPORTANT STUFF ONLY! If you are writing every word the instructor is saying, you’re writing way too much!

19. Use symbols and abbreviations. • Don’t worry about mechanics. • Write in phrases. • Leave space to add more detail later. BE QUICK If you fall behind the speaker, you’re writing too much.

20. Always be thinking of questions. • If you don’t understand, ask. • Write questions when you review. • Make them hard. QUESTION The only stupid question is the one you don’t attempt to answer.

21. ASAP! • Check accuracy of notes. • Write Questions & Summary. • Underline/Highlight important stuff. REVIEW Most forgetting happens in the first 24 hours.

22. Tell what you learned. • Main ideas, not details. • Don’t give a class play-by-play. SUMMARIZE If you can’t explain what you learned, did you learn anything?

23. Read over notes. • Recite aloud. • Self-Test. • Compare with other students. STUDY Waiting until the night before the test to study is a sure way to lower your grade.

24. Tips for Studying with Notes Make use of the format • Cover the right side of your notes; review and answer study questions from the left using the right side as an answer key • Quiz yourself out loud • Cover the right side with blank paper; write out answers to the left • column study questions

25. Tips for Studying with Notes Write! • Write summaries of the most important material in the summary/reflection section • Write a quiz for others using notes; exchange and correct • Write anticipated test questions beyond those already in the left-hand • column and write answers

26. Tips for Studying with Notes Review • Look over notes frequently to keep information and questions still unanswered fresh in mind • Recite information from notes • Rework examples & problems

27. Tips for Studying with Notes Study in a Group • Exchange notes with others to flesh out information and understanding • Use notes in study groups to provide a common ground of material for reference and review • Rewrite notes if necessary

28. Grading Split-Page Notes • Students know what is expected and are consistently held accountable. • Notes are duty and graded the day of each test.