This document provides tips and strategies for effective note taking. It recommends using highlighters, sticky notes, and index cards to mark and organize important information from texts. It emphasizes focusing while reading, using these tools to identify essential parts, and summarizing readings for later use. The document also encourages practicing note-taking and finding what works best individually.

1. Note Taking A Powerful Tool for Research Success Melissa A Brown, MLS Media Specialist Montgomery County Public Schools, MD Copyright 2004

2. “ The pen is mightier than the sword.”

6. 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?

7. What will we need? Highlighter Sticky notes Index cards Pencil/pen Paper or scrap paper Anything else you can think of?

9. 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.

11. 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.

14. 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

19. 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”

22. You Can Take Notes Anywhere!

23. Review: Notes help you to……. Remember important information Stay organized Be successful in your research How else can notes help you?

24. 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!