A few note taking strategies we will be using this semester.

1. S
Note Taking Strategies
Organize your way of thinking, and learning will be much easier

2. Cornell Note Taking
S The Cornell Note Taking Strategy is a simple way to
organize notes, help you learn how to decide what is the
most important thing to write, and how to summarize
what you have learned.
S It breaks down your notes into 3 basic parts
S Notes (Details) (Right Hand Column): These are the main
ideas of the lesson that should be written in the greatest
detail
S Sub-Topic (Left Hand Column): This section briefly outlines
the major topics of the lesson
S Summary (Bottom Section): This is the summary of what
you have learned from the lecture using your notes

3. When to Use:
S The Cornell Note-Taking strategy is one that you should
when I am lecturing. We will practice this method several
times.
S I will often take these up for grades, so be sure to do
them to the best of your abilities. If you need help, just
stop me and ask!

4. Example
S Cornell Note Template

5. Two Column Notes
S Two Column Notes is a close reading strategy that helps you to
find and organize your supporting details to whatever story,
poem, or play you are reading in class. It is divided into two
parts:
S Main Idea (each paragraph) (right hand column): This is the
main idea that you have pulled (or found) from a story or work
of literature). It is a main idea, so it will usually be a single word
or sentence.
S Key Details (left hand column): This section is the more
detailed of the two. This is where you will discuss the main
ideas in more detail, giving examples, finding textual evidence,
etc.

6. When to Use:
S Use the Two Column method when you are working on
independent reading assignments.
S For example, after we read “The Most Dangerous
Game,” (1st block) and “The Monkey’s Paw” (2nd and 4th
block) you will be working individually using the Two
Column method to discuss the main ideas/themes of the
story and give supporting details to show what you have
learned.

7. Example
S Two Column Notes Example

8. Frayer Diagram
S A Frayer Diagram is a simple chart used to help with
vocabulary. It divides a word up into several parts.
S Vocabulary/Term: This is the word to be defined
S Definition: This is where you define the word/term
S Characteristics: This is where you describe a word’s
characteristics (Is it big, small, blue, green, etc.?)
S Example (from your own life): This is where you describe
examples of the word that you have seen in your own life
S Opposites: This is where you describe the opposite of what
your word means (also known as an antonym)
S Drawing: This is where you draw an example of your
vocabulary word.

9. When to Use:
S Use the Frayer Diagram for practice with vocabulary. We
will be using these for vocabulary practice.

10. Example

11. Circle Map
S A Circle Map is a diagram that is used to help you learn
about vocabulary words or main ideas. It is designed to
help you to layout what you already know about a subject. It
is broken down into three parts.
S Circle: This is where you write the vocabulary word or the
main idea
S Inner Square: This is where you write what you already
know about a topic
S Outer Square: This is where you write where you can find
more information about a subject

12. When to Use:
S Use the Circle Map for vocabulary or literary terms. We
will be using these for vocabulary practice.

13. Example 1

14. Example 2