Chapter 7: Getting It
Down: Making and Taking Notes Across the Curriculum
It has been
a number of years since I was in grade school.
At that time, we were not offered any help, skills, or instruction in
note-taking. This would have been a
great asset for me as I am someone who takes notes verbatim. I miss many key concepts because of
this. I will continue writing previous
notes as the instructor moves on to new information. I am also a person who needs proficient notes
to study, even though I am present and attentive in class. I feel efficient note-taking skills should be
taught in students’ early years. Reading
this chapter is inspiring for me to teach myself, and later my students,
practical note-taking skills.
The
internet is such a valuable resource. I
found several “note-taking for elementary students” interactive sites. I didn’t have the time to go through the
sites thoroughly enough to recommend some as I did on the first blog
posting.
In order to
teach note-taking, there are so many questions to consider. How do you decide what is important? What are
these notes going to be used for? Will they be used to take a test? Will they be used to write a paper? With so many options to choose from just for
organizing notes, as teachers how would we sample each of these in order to reach
our student’s diverse learning styles?
I realize
that I have more questions than content.
This is a valuable skill that I am inadequate in and certainly should
become more proficient in order to teach my students.
Questions:
1. Are there some
other helpful ways you have learned or other experiences you have taught
yourself that have to do with note-taking?
2. How early should
we begin teaching the valuable skill of note-taking to students?
First, thanks so much for sharing! I agree that notes are very hard to take! In some classes, it is easier for me. I think the difference is the different styles of teaching. Some teachers allow us time to write the information and/or signal us when there is something very important that we need to know. One technique that I have picked up is to write anything that the teacher repeats more than once.
ReplyDeleteI also think its great that you realize that you need to become a better note taker if you want your students to be. :)
PS: Also when notemaking, I make focus on finding two or three separate ideas under each title section. It might help you too :)
Thank you for your insight, Abigail! I wish I could be better at taking out the "fluff" and just focus on main ideas. I am just so scared that I will forget something that I wind up taking down ridiculous amounts of information that is not needed. I wish that I could force myself to learn a better way! Thank you so much for your advise!
DeleteI agree with you. I was never taught to take notes either. I believe that if I had been taught early on that I would be much better at it today. Note taking can be a very hard process. I myself feel that I need to write down every word the teacher says. It is good as future educators that we have become aware of this, and can help our students in the future.
ReplyDeleteI want to teach my students a better way so that they will not struggle as I have throughout the years. I want to learn so that I may give my students the tools to create effective notes.
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