The document discusses different note-taking methods and strategies for taking notes from reading textbooks and other materials. It explains that it is important to identify the organizational scheme being used to present information, such as listing, spatial order, time order, compare and contrast, statement and support, or definition. Matching your note-taking method to the organizational scheme will help you understand and recall the information better. The document provides examples of strategies for taking notes from group discussions and reading, including using abbreviations. It also introduces the SQ3R method of survey, question, read, recite and review.

1. Notetaking Methods

2. All kinds of notes When you’re planning a shopping trip, you make a list. When you’re telling a story, you tell it in chronological, or time, order. When you’re trying to make a point, you support your statements with examples. Your teachers do the same thing. They use different organizational schemes for presenting different kinds of material. When you’re taking notes, it helps to understand the organizational plan your teacher or textbook is using. Then you can tailor your notes to fit your needs.

3. Where do you stand? How good are you at recognizing different organizational schemes? Look at the list of topics on the left. Then write the letter of the topic (on a notebook page) beside the organizational plan the presenter would probably use:

4. What is Friendship? A description of my room Steps in the Scientific Method Why we should recycle The story of my life Dogs or cats as pets? Listing Spatial Order Time Order Compare and Contrast Statement and Supporting Details Definition 1c 2b 3e 4f 5d 6a

5. Answers: How’d you do? It is important to be able to identify organizational schemes, because they’re one key to deciding what note-taking method will work best for you. As you’re about to find out, there are many ways to take notes. Matching your note-taking method with your teacher’s organizational scheme will help you make better sense of the presentation. When review time comes around, you’ll understand your notes better, too.

6. Identify Organizational Schemes While you watch television, you can actually practice identifying oragnizational schemes and have fun, too. Form a small group and discuss television shows you watch. Discuss the way information is presented on talk shows, news programs, situation comedies, or informational shows. For each organizational scheme, name a show that uses it: Listing Spatial Order Time Order Compare and Contrast Statement and Supporting Details Definition

7. Practice Note-Taking Get together with three or four classmates. Talk about different note-taking methods you often use in your classes, such as outlines, webs, lists and diagrams. Choose one person to be the reader. Have the reader read pages 11-12 of the red textbook aloud to the other members of the group. The other group members should take notes in their journals, using whatever method seems best for recording the information.

8. When you finish reading… Compare notes. Discuss the note-taking method each group member used. Decide whether or not one note-taking method was more suited to the material than the others. Keep in mind individual learning styles may affect the note-taking method a person chooses.

9. Unlock Your Textbooks Taking Notes From Reading

10. Self-Quiz Do you think taking notes while you read is important? Yes/No Do you feel that people who take notes as they read get better grades? Yes/No Do you find it difficult to take notes while you’re reading? Yes/No Do you ever borrow notes from someone else even though you read the same material? Yes/No Do you write complete sentences when you take notes? Yes/No Do your notes help you when it is time to study for a test? Yes/No

11. Rate Yourself If you answered Yes to questions 1, 2, and 6, you understand that taking notes from your reading will help you improve your grades. If you answered Yes to questions 3, 4 and 5, you need some help with your note-taking strategies. That’s what you’ll find in this lesson

12. Save time with abbreviations: w/ = with w/out = without + = and @ = at/about b/t = between ex = example P = page AL= Abraham Lincoln impt = important info = information def = definition mem = memorize this T = test Q = quiz Ch = chapter assgn = assignment pp = pages

13. SQ3R Method Survey Look from the mountaintop Question Be actively involved: Not killing daisies Generate your own questions: before, during, after Read Settle down and read slowly and carefully Recite Talk through what you learned, out loud. Rephrase the question to your teacher Review After a few hours or days, go back and review your notes. Reviewing will keep your new knowledge from fading away and allow you to really what it yours.

14. Review paragraph On a sheet of paper that you’ll turn in: Summarize what you learned in this lesson Now use your summary to write a goal that will help you become a better student