Cornell Notes SystemHow to Use Your Notebook

I. What it is

A. Descriptions

1. A system for using a notebook to help learn important material in a class or lesson.

2. A way to turn a notebook into a study guide

I. What it is

B. History of the Cornell Notes System

1. Invented by Walter Pauk of Cornell University

2. Designed to help students not just write notes in a notebook, but also use the notebook for studying

II. Why to use it

A. Puts facts into your long-term memory 1. Two types of memory▪ a. Short-term memory▪ i. Holds onto facts, but forgets them as soon as you

are done using them.▪ ii. Example: what did you have for lunch last Friday?

▪ b. Long-term memory▪ i. Holds onto facts for long periods of time▪ ii. Example: what is your home phone number?▪ iii. Facts only go in Long-term memory through

repetition

II. Why to use it

B. CNS helps keep the notes focused on the important ideas. 1. Notes can get filled with whatever is

on the board 2. Sometimes it is hard to separate the

important stuff from the unimportant 3. CNS helps us keep it separate and

organized.

Stop and Try it

Take a minute to memorize this number:

67583480619 In your pairs, quiz each other. See

how many tries it takes to get it right!

III. How it works

A. Each page gets a layout

2.5 inches

Notes on this sideCues or Main

Ideas on this side

(Red lines mean nothing)

III. How it works

B. During class, notes get written in the big section to the right of the line Always start with the Title of the notes

and the date. Always take neat notes. Otherwise,

what’s the point?

III. How it works

C. Later, write “Cues” in the area on the left. 1. Cues are super-short phrases or

questions about the notes. 2. Example: “Two types of memory” 3. Before a test or quiz, you can cover

the notes and use the Cues as study questions

III. How it works

D. Also later, write a Summary at the end of the day’s notes. 1. One or two sentences about the “big

ideas” of the notes of the day

The Summary goesat the bottom

FAQ

Q: When should I write in the Cues and Summary?

A. Usually, we do it that night or the next day. That way, we are repeating the information into our long-term memory.

FAQ

Q: Do I have to do a strict outline in my notes?

A. Today’s notes followed strict outline form (I, A, 1, a, I, etc.) but any kind of notes will work.

FAQ

Q: Is the Cornell Notes System required?

A. In science class, the CNS will be required for notes, at least for the first semester. This is to try to develop good study habits from the beginning.

Activity A.

#1. In your pairs, decide on an appropriate Cue to go with these notes: There are 5 major continents on

Earth:1. Asia2. Europe3. Africa4. North America5. South America6. Australia7. Antarctica

Activity A.

#2. In your pairs, decide on an appropriate Cue to go with these notes: 7. Antarctica

• The southernmost continent

• Bigger than Europe• Considered a desert

because it rarely rains• Has 6 months of daylight

and then 6 months of night

Activity B (Multiple Choice).

In your pairs, decide on the best Summary about a day of notes explaining Baseball.

a. If a pitcher throws 3 strikes, then the batter is out.

b. Baseball was originally an American sport, but is now enjoyed by people from other countries.

c. The Red Sox is the favorite baseball team for most New Englanders.

d. Baseball is a team-based sport enjoyed by Americans in which players try to hit the ball and run around the bases in order to score runs.

Activity C.

On a piece of lined paper, write a sentence that best summarizes what we learned in class yesterday.

On the same paper, write a sentence that best summarizes why the Cornell Notes System is helpful for students