Note-taking is one of the most foundational and crucial skills writers can develop.

A strong note-taking system makes every step of future writing easier.

Building a note-taking system that works for you provides the following:

• Stronger reading comprehension
• Higher information recall
• Attention to detail
• Identification of key quotes and stats

Over 8 weeks (suggested schedule), learners will learn about and practice the following note-taking methods:

• Cornell Notes
• Sketchnotes
• Guided Notes
• Annotation

They'll put these into use on a range of texts:

• Informative Article
• Informative Video
• Narrative Fiction
• Visual Advertisement

Finally, learners will use their notes to craft a summary of a text of their choice.

Self-Paced Format

This is a self-paced class, which means you can take as much time as you'd like.

The suggested schedule is 8 weeks.

This class will require facilitator (parent/guardian/tutor) feedback. Rubrics and feedback guidance are included.

Find Individual Processes and Embrace the Mess

This class does not offer a note-taking "system." There is no one way for learners to best take notes. It's a personal process of finding how they best negotiate information and make meaning. This class will model different approaches and encourage experimentation and personal reflection on what works and doesn't work. 

Learners are going to find their own methods for lifelong learning rather than be plugged into an existing framework that may or may not work for them.

It may look messy, but the best thinking usually is, and writing is — at its core — thinking brought to the page.

Supplies

To participate successfully in class, learners will need the following:

• PDF Reader
• Word Processing Software (such as Google Docs or Microsoft Word)

Is this the right fit for your learner?

This class is a beginner option for my Middle School level classes (Middle School Foundations). It’s designed for learners who are new to academic writing expectations. Learners will do best if they have the following skills: 

• Can write about 150-200 words (about one-half page double spaced) on a single topic
• Confidently reads texts at or above ~650L on the Lexile rating

This class is a good fit for middle school readers and writers who have not had much formal academic writing experience. It’s an especially good fit for those who need practice in understanding the main idea of a text and capturing key ideas for comprehension and summary.

Finding the Right Challenge

This class is designed as a very early introduction to academic writing experiences.

More advanced writers with experience writing academic essays may benefit from this class if they struggle with reading comprehension.

Writers who can confidently summarize texts, take notes with focus and clarity, and have experience writing academic essays may find this class lacks challenge.

These writers may instead benefit from a Middle School Level 2 class.  

Skills Gained

We will practice note-taking and summary with a range of texts (including news articles, videos, narratives, and visuals).

Students will gain the following skills:

• Developing reading comprehension and note-taking strategies
• Reflecting on what works to build strong writing habits
• Writing unbiased and clear summaries

Common Core Standards Alignment

For those who are using Common Core standards, this course meets the following: 

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.2, 7.2, and 8.2 (identifying central ideas)
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.3, 7.3, and 8.3 (analyzing details in informational texts)
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.4, 7.4, and 8.4 (determining word meaning in context)
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.4, 7.4, and 8.4 (write appropriately to audience
• CCS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.10, 7.10, and 8.10 (write routinely over extended time frames)