Notetaking- "While Reading" Reading Strategies Series for Adolescents

"Notetaking" is a clear useful tool for gathering the important ideas from a text (or oral presentation) in the first column and then gathering supporting detail for the main ideas. in the second column. This is virtually the same framework as Cornell notes, which is standard outline thinking. In addition and equally important, the third column invites the reader to dialogue with the text by responding to what is being read- questioning, making connections, drawing conclusions, expressing an opinion, etc. This process deepens engagement and schema attachment while collecting main ideas and supporting detail.

This notetaking resource is one of 12 "While Reading" Reading Strategies that I've chosen as most effective and most useful for students. In addition to the templates, two engaging informational handouts are included. One is a "Tips for Notetaking" and the other is a Do's and Don'ts" for notetaking. Finally, there a True or False Activity that could used as a fun pre-assessment, a post- assessment or simply an interactive learning activity. Notetaking is one of those skills that are so important, that really help build our reading skills when we are practicing notetaking correctly, and it is something that can be taught, which we sometimes forget and assume that, at some point, kids either can't or won't correctly take notes. I've found, though, that lightbulbs are ready to turn on when kids reach middle school and sometimes high school, and they really appreciate being supported through notetaking. By this time, they finally have learned that it's something they need to learn how to do which changes the level of attention that kids can bring to a subject. Students can learn to take notes at any age, and by doing so, we are building important reading skills as we do it, so it's time well spent!