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/Level 1). 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
• Effectively take notes that capture key ideas from readings
• Confidently and accurately summarize informative texts without bias
• 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 how to find and evaluate resources and incorporate the information they find in their own work. 

Finding the Right Challenge

Writers who cannot confidently take notes or summarize texts should not take this class yet. Instead, they may want to consider Middle School Writing Foundations: Note-Taking and Summary.

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

Writers who can confidently find credible sources, take notes on them, and incorporate quotes into their own writing may find this class lacks challenge. 

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

Skills Gained

We will focus on informative writing elements through both reading and writing practice. 

Students will learn about the following:

• Finding credible sources of information
• Incorporating information into writing through summary, paraphrase, and direct quote
• Basic citation information (MLA style with emphasis on avoiding plagiarism rather than perfecting the stylistic requirements)

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.6.4, 7.4, and 8.4 (determining word meaning in context)
• CCSS.ELA-WRITING.6.7, 7.7, and 8.7 (conducting research projects)
• CCSS.ELA-WRITING.6.8, 7.8, and 8.8 (incorporating and citing sources)
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WRITING.6.4, 7.4, and 8.4 (write clear and coherent texts)
• CCS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.5, 7.5, and 8.5 (plan, revise, edit and rewrite)
• CCS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.10, 7.10, and 8.10 (write routinely over extended time frames)