Social StudiesNOTETAKING SKILLS

Why am I taking notes?

Taking notes aides in comprehension and retention of material, filtering key points, clarifying concepts and is another resource for review.

Researchers found that 34% of what is taken in notes is retained, versus only 5% of items not found in notes.

The percentage of true picture thinkers (those with a photographic memory) is very low. Take notes!!!

You need a copy of your own notes in your class binder!!!

What do I write down?Key Points

Key words

What is written on the board

Questions you need answered

Repeated concepts or ideas

Examples and Relationships

Visuals/Diagrams

Steps in a Process

Key concepts and important details.

When the Teacher goes too fast

Use Sym. & Abbr.

This means “Use Symbols and Abbreviations”

Use common symbols and/or Invent your own.

Find a reliable study buddy and compare notes.

Ask the teacher to slow down or restate something you missed. (Depending on the teacher, this may or may not work)

Reconcille your notes if you can access them on-line (check my teacher blog).

Common Symbols

↑ increase

+ plus

→ leads to

+ and

= equals

∴ therefore

÷ divide

˂ greater than

˃ less than

↓ decrease

↑ increase

+ plus

→ leads to

+ and

= equals

Other Favorites

~ about/sort of +/- more or less @ as/at/and W/ with W/o without % percent # number $ money

Δ change

”.instead of “www سس

? question

A/b about

B/c because

Imp important

Common Abbreviations

Eng. English

Am. American

Ave. Average

Equiv. Equivalent

Def. Definition

Max. Maximum

Min. Minimum

Eg./Ex. Example

Texting comes in handy!!!

U cn crte U'r own abbr 4 athg U wnt. B sure U rem wht they mean 2 U!!!

You can create your own abbreviations for anything you want. Be sure you remember what they mean to you!!!

Basics of Notes Organization

1. Always start on a new page

2. Use loose leaf paper for easy rearranging

3. Always date your notes and number the pages

4. Develop standard symbols for easier note taking

5.Leave blanks for additions later

6. Put questions/comments/notes to self in margins.

7. Flag pages in textbook mentioned in notes.

Methods of Note TakingComplete Sentences/Lists

Charts

Cornell Notes

2 column Method

REAP method

Outlines

Note cards

Post-It Notes

Graphic/Visual Notes

Once you learn these methods, you can combine them into a system that works for you!!!

Complete Sentences/Lists

Number your paper and write in complete sentences, leaving space between each item.

Good method when there is lots of information and you don't know how it goes together

You will need to review and reorganize notes after using this method.

Charts Set up paper in columns with heading for material covered in lecture.

Fill in columns with info/examples/diagrams etc.

Good for overviews of material

Good for content presented quickly

You have to know the headings at the beginning of the lecture

Good for big picture.

Less Writing

Easy to review, memorize info., and compare relationships.

Cornell Notes

Page divided by function (see image)

Easy to Scan/Review

Neat and Organized

Makes a good study guide

2 column method Similar to Cornell Notes

2 columns (see image)

Left column = Key words

Right column = Description

Good for review

Easy to read

REAP Method 2 sheets (see image)

Relate to your life

Extend material to outside world

Actualize material (how would it work in outside world)

Profit from ideas (how will you and society profit?)

REAP portion must be done shortly after taking notes.

Work with a study buddy for memory triggers and REAP column.

Outlines

Good for recopying and organizing notes

During Lecture, develop a template before class

Enter main topics from lecture and fill in supporting details

Short phrases and symbols

Notecards

Topic on front of card, description on back of card.

Great for review and manipulation of material.

Can color-code cards by subject/type of material, etc.

Can be done during lecture or recopied from notes.

Post It Notes

Similar to Notecard notes, but can be placed in text and as flags.

Easy to manipulate and reorganize

Easy to colorcode.

Can be written during discussion, lecture, or after.

Visual Note TakingGraphic Organizers

Mind Maps and Pictures

Hi Lighting

Graphic Organizers Visual way of organizing information.

Easy to see relationships and connections.

Combines words, phrases, images, links in an organized and visually appealing way.

Mind Maps and Pictures Done on paper or with a program (freemind.com)

Easy to see connections and relationships.

Like graphic organizers but more interactive, less static.

Hi Lighting Combine with other note taking methods.

Hi-light/color-code information for easier studying and memory recall.

Key words/phrases/concepts

When Will I use my Notes? After the lecture: review notes, make

corrections, reorganize/map (if necessary), identify things you don't understand.

The more you review your notes, the greater your chances of retention of information.

Create your own study guide.

What Works Best for Me? (Your education is in your hands! Or Make peace with your notebook!!)

Your job is to find the method that works best for you and stick with it.

Resources•http://web.alextech.edu/en/CollegeServices/SupportServices/StudySkills/LectureNoteTaking/NoteTakingProcess.aspx

•http://americanheritage.byu.edu/Pages/LearningTips/Lectures/Note-Taking-Methods.aspx

•http://www.muskingum.edu/~cal/database/general/notetaking1.html

•Source: Longman, D. and Atkinson, R. College Learning and Study Skills. 1999. Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.

•http://www.englishcompanion.com/Tools/notemaking.html

•http://www.thinkport.org/technology/template.tp