See appendix 11

Note Taking

Strategies

• Provide pre-designed organizers for note taking (e.g. overhead outlines, outline forms for notes).
• Use NCR paper for peers to record notes.
• Use old-fashioned carbon paper.
• Photocopy from set of class notes prepared daily by student or teacher. This can also be used to catch up students who were absent.
• Permit use of cassette tape recorders in class.
• Use concept mapping or webbing for notes.
• Use multiple column note taking format.
• Provide list of key vocabulary in advance of the lesson.
• Encourage students to develop their own abbreviations.
• Provide models of good note taking.
• Permit time for students to write information after listening.
• Provide oral clues about what is key to write down.
• Minimize copying of notes from board by providing handouts and use them as tools for tasks such as discussion or synthesizing.

Strategies

• Teach strategies for note taking such as PQR³ (Preview, question, read, reflect, recite/write, review).
• Model the use of various types of notes (e.g. demonstrate how to use written material to highlight key ideas, create an outline, a concept map).
• Preview the material to bring prior knowledge and set a purpose for the note task.
• Provide guided practice in writing summaries.