This document provides guidance on developing strong reading and note-taking skills. It discusses techniques for reading like muscle reading, which involves a 3-phase process of pre-reading, active reading, and post-reading. It also outlines different reading styles like scanning, skimming, and detailed reading. For note-taking, it recommends the Cornell note-taking system and mind mapping. General tips include using keywords, diagrams, and leaving space for additional notes. The goal is to actively engage with materials and develop notes that can be easily reviewed and organized.

1. Reading Skills and Note Taking Presented By: Meghan

2. Reading skills- overview Muscle Reading Phase 1: Before you Read Phase 2: While you read Phase 3: After you read Read with a Dictionary Styles of Reading Scanning Skimming Detailed Reading Reading Fast When Reading is Tough

3. Muscle Reading A technique used to avoid mental mini-vacations and reduce the number of unscheduled naps during study time, even after a hard day (3 Phase technique)

4. Phase 1: Before you read Step 1 Preview: preview the entire assignment. Keep an eye out for familiar concepts, facts, or ideas. Step 2 Outline: Spend some time reading outlines and headings. Step 3 Question: Determine what you want to take away from the reading or assignment. Write down a list of questions.

5. Phase 2: While you read Step 4 Reflect: Take a few moments to reflect on what you already know about the subject. Schedule breaks and reward yourself on the break. Step 5 Underline: Deface your books. Underlining can save a lot of time when studying for tests. Step 6 Answer: As you read seek out the answers to your questions.

6. Phase 3: After you read Step 7 Recite: Talk to someone else or yourself about what you have read. Step 8 Review: Plan to do your first complete review within 24 hours of reading the material. This moves the information from your short-term memory to your long-term memory. Step 9 Review Again: Do weekly and monthly reviews

7. Read with a dictionary in your lap Strengthen your vocabulary by taking delight in words, look up unfamiliar words Anytime you hear an unfamiliar word, write it down and look it up Another suggestion is to divide an unfamiliar word into syllables and look for familiar parts

8. Styles of reading: 3 styles Scanning for a specific focus: The technique you use when you’re looking up a name in the phone book: you move you eye quickly over the page to find particular words that are relevant to the task you are doing. Skimming- For getting the gist of something: Use when your going through a newspaper or magazine. You read quickly to get the main points. Detailed Reading – For extracting information accurately: Where you read every word, and work to learn from the text.

9. Reading Fast Get your body ready: gear up for reading faster. Get off the couch, sit up straight at a desk or table, on the edge of your chair, with your feet flat on the floor Read faster then normal. You might be surprised to find out how well you comprehend material even at dramatically increased speed

10. When reading is tough Read it again Look for essential words Hold a mini review Read it out loud Talk to your instructor/find a tutor Pretend you understand then explain the material

11. Note taking- overview Five important reasons to take notes Set the stage “Be Here Now” in class Watch for clues General techniques for note taking The Cornell Format Mind Mapping Outlining Improving your handwriting Your instructor When your instructor talks fast

12. Five important reasons to take notes It triggers basic lecturing processes and helps you to remember information It helps you to concentrate in class It helps you prepare for tests Your notes are often a source of valuable clues for what information the instructor thinks most important (i.e., what will show up on the next test) Your notes often contain information that cannot be found elsewhere (i.e., in your textbook)

13. Set the Stage Complete outside assignments: The more familiar you are with a subject, the more easily you can absorb information during class lectures Bring the right materials: Pen, pencil, textbook, notebook Sit front and centre: The closer you sit to the lecturer, the harder it is to fall asleep, become distracted by other classmates, and easier to read the board Conduct a short pre-class review: Arrive early and review your notes from previous days Clarify your intention: Write a short Intention Statement

14. “Be Here Now” in class Accept your wandering mind: Don’t fight daydreaming. Look at it as an opportunity to refocus your attention Notice your writing: Pay attention to the act of writing. This can bring you back to the here and now Be with the instructor: Imagine that its just a personal conversation between you and the instructor Notice your environment: Room temperature, the sound of chalk, feel of your chair...

15. Continued... Postpone debate: When you hear something you disagree with, observe the material and let it go Let of judgements about lecture styles: Don’t let your attitude about your instructors lecture style, habits or appearance get in the way of your education Participate in class activities: Ask questions and volunteer Relate the class to your goals: Write down how a class relates to a specific goal

16. Watch For Clues Be alert for repetition Listen for introductory, concluding, and transition words and phrases Watch the board or overhead projector Watch the instructors eyes Highlight the obvious clues Notice the instructors interest level

17. General Techniques for Note Taking Use key words Use pictures and diagrams Write notes in paragraphs Copy material from the board Use 3 ring binder Use only one side of piece of paper Use index cards Keep your own thoughts separated Use an “I’m lost” signal Label, number and date all notes Use standard abbreviations Leave blank spaces Take notes in different colours Use graphic signals Use recorders effectively

18. The Cornell Format Developed by Walter Pauk at Cornell University during the 1950’s How to use the Cornell Format: Format your paper Take notes, leave the cue column blank Condense your notes in the cue column

19. Mind Mapping Give yourself plenty of room Determine the main concept of lecture Use key words only Jazz it up! Create links

20. Outlining Technically, each word, phrase, or sentence that appears in an outline is called a heading. These are arranged in different levels:

21. Improving Your Handwriting Use the first step technique Use creative visualization Notice the shape of individual letters Keep your eyes on the tip of the pen Demonstrate your excellence Revise sloppy writing immediately Practice with the best materials Take a calligraphy course Dot all i’s and cross all t’s Insure that holes exist for a’s, e’s, and o’s Notice problem letters Print when understanding is critical Appreciate the value of legible writing

22. Your Instructor Show interest in class Take responsibility for your actions Get to know your instructor better Open up to diversity Avoid excuses Accept criticism Use course evaluations Separate liking from learning

23. When Your Instructor Talks Fast Take more time to prepare for class Exchange photocopies of notes with classmates Leave large empty spaces in your notes See the instructor after class Use a voice recorder Go to lecture again (or class) Ask questions even if your totally lost Ask he or she to slow down

24. Taking Notes on Your Journey (Journal Writing) Make lists Play with learning styles Re-read your journal Use a journal to manage stress Use a journal to increase writing skills Use a journal for personal growth

25. any questions?