Hit: Notetaking Hints/Explanations for Elementary Students

["Rita J. McKillip" <MCKILLRJ@MAIL.MILWAUKEE.K12.WI.US>]

Hello,

A couple days ago I asked if anyone had any nonprint
resources to teach students in grs. 4-6 how to take
notes. I also asked if anyone had any helpful ideas
on how to do it.

Thanks for taking the time and sharing!

Responses:

1. Photocopy article from encyclopedia. Enlarge and make into overhead.
Model reading it and underlining it (stress o.k. to underline on a
printout but not in the book). Make jot notes: each jot note begins
with a "-" to show it's not a sentence.  No sentences are to be written.
Ea. jot note goes on a new line. Ea. thought is a new jot note. Ea.
should be 4-5 words long; no capitals (unless names); no periods;
only standard abbreviations; use commas w/in lists not 'and'; omit
unnecessary words (was, the, were,...); w/dates omit the word "in".
Model on overhead w/jot notes.

Via modeling show students how to decide on a heading to organize
jot notes (outline headings). Use color pencil crayons to underline
jot notes according to color assigned to the outline headings. Jots
not fitting into a category go into 'other'. Next, rewrite jots
into sentences under the designated heading. Make a check next
to the jot made into a sentence. Ea. heading constitutes a paragraph.
The outline headings need to be sequenced too. Add an introduction
and summary paragraph and the report is ready for conferencing.
(Guaranteed to produce good reports if time is allowed for the LMS
to work w/the students.)

It's o.k. to read a whole paragraph and not write any jots. Students
learn to be selective.
        (Thanks to Cheryl Dinnin of Ontario, Canada for this.)

2. On a 4x6 lined index card (or larger), draw a line across the
middle dividing the card in two. On the top line write the source's
title and number the index. ABOVE the line find the sentence you
want to use and copy it down EXACTLY. Now, on the bottom half,
PARAPHRASE the sentence. A number "1" should be placed by both
sentences. Then put number "2" underneath "1" and continue. Use
only one side of the index card. If more than one book is used,
use colored index cards.
        (thanks to Louise M. Schwarzchild of NY)

3. Use a script (published on LMNET) in which a student is asked
to take directions for the parent to make the point that only
notes are needed, not the whole conversation. Then blow up a
paragraph on the overhead and point out the trash and treasure
in relation to their "Essential Question" and then give them
double entry drafts from the ISearch (left side for short notes
& quotes they intend to use and right side is for personal reaction
to what was read). [another suggestion: use notes cards, one side
for notes the other for reactions]
        (thanks to Frances Aley of Maine)

4. Call Landmark College in VT and use their study skills
as a guide. Students need to practice. ALL teachers in bldg. should use
the same system. Has seen a school where everyone uses the
same method.
        (Thanks to Kelly Fish).

Thanks for all who wrote!

Rita McKillip
LMS
Milwaukee, WI
MCKILLRJ@mail.milwaukee.k12.wi.us