A Guide to Effective Note-Taking and Study Skills

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.8.1.aCome to discussions prepared, having read or researched

material under study.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.8.1Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-

on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and

expressing their own clearly.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.8.2Analyze the purpose of information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and evaluate

the motives (e.g., social, commercial, political) behind its presentation.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.6Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic

and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to

comprehension or expression.

1. KNOW YOUR LEARNING STYLE!Are you a visual (see), auditory (hear), or kinesthetic (hands-on) learner? Develop a study plan that matches the type of learner that you are.

2. KNOW HOW TO MANAGE YOUR TIME!It is not the amount of time you spend studying that matters. Develop a study plan and schedule for everyday studying and others for whatever tests that you have to take. Stick to your plan and come prepared to every class.

3. GET MOTIVATED AND HAVE A GOOD ATTITUDE TOWARD LEARNING! If you are not motivated and have a poor attitude, you will not be very productive. Pick a time of day when you can get motivated to prepare for tests, write essays, and solve problems.

4. GET ORGANIZED!Keep your materials, study guides, notebooks, and book bag in order. Don’t spend time looking for things!

5. CONCENTRATEThe ability to concentrate is one of the more important study skills you need to develop. You won't always have the quiet or time you want. You must learn how to overcome distractions so you can focus.

6. KEEP AN ASSIGNMENT NOTEBOOK---AND USE IT! (Activity 1-Assignment Notebook)

Write your assignments down each day for every class and take your assignment notebook home with you. (Activity 2-Organizing Your Learning Materials and Setting Up Notebooks for Cornell Note-taking)

Two Types:

Short Term Memory: a record of all visual and aural information—does not last.

Long Term Memory: memory that is “loaded”or stored in the brain

Give me an example of a short term memory and a long term memory. What made you remember these things? (Activity 3-Class Discussion)

CLEAR, STRONG IMPRESSIONS

SUMMARIZED INFO

MEANINGFUL INFO WHAT WE HEAR

AND SEE TIE NEW TO OLD ADD TO

FRAMEWORK

INFO WE RECITE INTERESTING INFO IF WE ARE

MOTIVATED IF WE CAN

MENTALLY DIGEST INFO

IF WE PRACTICE AT INTERVALS

(QUIZ POINT!)

Listen with a purpose

Sit up and in the right place

Concentrate and daydream selectively

Make eye contact Concentrate on

the message, not the speaker

Listen for organizational cues

Notice verbal and nonverbal cues

Be open-minded Ask questions Take notes

Who What When Where Why How WRITE THEM DOWN! WRITE DOWN COMMENTS AND

QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE! (Activity 4—You Tube Video

Listening)

Read with a purpose

Note how text is organized

Note subject and chapter headings

Note boldfaced words and info with them

Note pictures and captions

Use skimming and scanning techniques

Be open-minded Take notes—

HIGHLIGHT OR OTHERWISE THE MAIN IDEAS

(Activity 5-Who, What, When, Where, Why Newspaper Article)

Set up your notes in a way that is best for youParagraph, phrases, outline, bullets, etc.

Stay ORGANIZED-don’t stick random papers into your notebook-don’t keep info in books

Use graphic organizers and sheet protectors

Include new/important words and their defintions

TAKE NOTES REREAD NOTES RESTATE NOTES RECITE NOTES IDENTIFY ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERNS RELATE TO YOUR OWN LIFE REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!

Listen Actively Note oral and visual cues Write FAST,BUT NEATLY in the

notes section of your notebook. Leave space in the margin to write down any questions you may think of during class.

Use YOUR OWN WORDS Draw pictures, diagrams, etc. Don’t bother to tape or

record. Copy important info directly Condense information Ask your teacher questions

You do not need to copy all notes directly, unless your teacher tells you to or you think that you must know exactly what is said or written.

You need to learn how to paraphrase, or put in your own words, the notes from PowerPoint presentations, notes on the board, teacher lectures, and textbooks or other print information.

Also, you need to be able to summarize, which means to put the information from your notes or other information in paragraphs or in graphic organizers to see how your notes relate to one another.

(Activity 6-Paraphrasing and Summarizing Practice)

READ NOTES NO LATER THAN 6 HOURS AFTER THE LECTURE

CLEAN UP NOTES UNDERLINE OR

HIGHLIGHT MAIN IDEAS

REDUCE MATERIAL TO A FEW STRONG IMPRESSIONS

REREAD YOUR NOTES BY SECTIONS

SUMMARIZE IN A WORD OR PHRASE

CONTINUE PROCESS

(Activity 7-Restating Notes)

COVER SECTION OF NOTEBOOK

RECITE ALOUD ALL YOU CAN REMEMBER

UNCOVER & CHECK

REPEAT AS NECESSARY and CONTINUE

(Activity 8-Partner Study and Recite)

Sequential Trend

Chronological Cause and Effect

Analytical Comparison/

Contrast

Categorical Other

Ask yourself questions about the material

Write your opinions down in the margins of your notebook.

Hook ideas to past experiences that you have had.

(Activity 10-Relate to You)

REPEAT STEPS 4,5, AND 6---BEFORE THE NEXT CLASS---EVERY WEEK---BEFORE EXAMS---AND---

WRITE EXAM/TEST QUESTIONS ON THE MATERIAL

(Activity 11-Writing Sample Test Questions)

GOOD GRADES AND…

Choose a partner. Design a “Study Skills Poster” including all

of the important information that you have learned about study skills.

Use at least three different colors on your poster besides the background color.

You may use markers, cut out paper, crayons, stickers, clip art illustrations, or magazine pictures.

Make sure your poster has some type of border and clear, neat lettering.

Hang your poster in the hallway for other students to see.