Note TakingA Powerful Tool for Research

Success

Melissa A Brown, MLSMedia Specialist

Montgomery County Public Schools, MDCopyright 2004

“The pen is mightier than the sword.”

We use note taking for many purposes:

• To list items or activities we don’t want to forget

• To highlight important information in a text

• To summarize reading for later use

• What other uses can you think of?

What will we need?

• Highlighter

• Sticky notes

• Index cards

• Pencil/pen

• Paper or scrap paper

• Anything else you can think of?

Staying Focused

It’s polite to point when we’re reading!

Use your finger to help you stay on track with the text you’re reading.

Highlighter

• Use this tool to help you show or remember the most important parts.

• How will you know what is and isn’t important? It depends on what the question is and what you need to know – let that be your guide.

Sticky Notes

• These are good to use when you can’t highlight the text – such as when you’re using a library book.

• You can write notes directly on them

• You can mark the pages with them

Index Cards

• Use like your finger to help you follow along while you read

• Can also help you organize your notes• Keep a different index card for each point• You can rearrange your index cards when your

done – this makes research easier – no need to copy over

• Good for visual learners – can help you see the “big picture”

You Can Take Notes Anywhere!

Review: Notes help you to…….

• Remember important information

• Stay organized

• Be successful in your research

• How else can notes help you?

What is your next step?

• Practice note-taking

• Make sure you have the supplies you need at school and at home

• Share good note-taking strategies with one another

• Find out what works best for you

Do your best and have fun!