- What is an interactive notebook?
- How to set it up
- Helpful tips for the left side
An Interactive Notebook is more than a notebook used to take notes. It is a process of using many aspects of learning and thinking. The more ways that students use and apply information, the better the student will understand and be able to apply the information.
The Interactive Notebook may be used to: process information, take notes, dive deeper into your writing and critical thinking, review information, study for tests and apply skills to show an understanding of the information covered in class. There is NO EXCUSE for not having a notebook or being to find diagrams, concepts or definitions at any point in time during class.
BEFORE ATTACHING ANY PAGES!
NUMBERING THE PAGES
- Number the BOTTOM OUTSIDE CORNER of each page.
- The TABLE OF CONTENTS page is page number 1. (All RIGHT pages have ODD numbers)
- The back of the TABLE OF CONTENTS page is page number 2 (All LEFT pages have EVEN numbers).
- NUMBER the first 11 pages before starting the attaching process.
This will greatly increase the speed of assembly. - HOMEWORK - Number ALL THE PAGES until the ADULT INPUT
page is reached (the back inner cover of the notebook).
- Glue GEMS OF WISDOM page to the front inside cover of the notebook.
- This page will be a crucial resource. This is where important abbreviations and definitions
that will be helpful to you as you navigate this course.
First Blank Page - Table of Contents
- The Table of Contents page is written with a specific format. This will be the first LOOSE sheet of lined paper inside the notebook. Plan on using the front and the back of the sheet of paper.
- The main body of the paper (where one would normally write) is divided in half by drawing a line down the center of the page.
- The left column has the title: LEFT PAGE # These will be STUDENT PROCESSING page entries
- The right column has the title: RIGHT PAGE # These will be TRADITIONAL TEACHER DRIVEN page entries
- The proper use of the Table of Contents page will be explained in class.
- STUDENT NOTEBOOKS will need TWO pages for the Table of Contents.
HINT - When the page is filled, tape a blank sheet on top and continue filling out the Table of Contents.
These pages will be given to you in class. The score sheet goes on the back page of the table of contents. The Rubric goes on the next page. You will not number your left and right pages until these are in,
RUBRIC SHEET
1. The Rubric sheet describes the general, basic criteria for assignments
2. The Rubric sheet will be used when students review assignments of themselves or other students.
INSIDE BACK COVER - ADULT INPUT PAGE
- Glue the last page in the notebook to the inside back cover. This is the Parent/Guardian Feedback Page
- The page has a title: Parent/Guardian Input Page
- There will be three columns: DATE, WHAT WAS LEARNED AND SIGNATURE
- This page is designed for parents or guardians to give feedback about the contents, assignments and explanations in the notebook. Students must teach an adult (if a parent or guardian is not available) something learned during the week (or grading period). The adult must explain what the student taught.
*credit goes to Martin Teachworth from La Jolla High School for the creation of this outline.
OUTPUT GOES ON THE LEFT SIDE!
❖ Brainstorming
❖ Discovery headlines
❖ Biography posters
❖ Concept maps
❖ Riddles
❖ Your questions
❖ Pictographs
❖ Cartoons
❖ Poetry and songs
❖ Metaphors and analogies
❖ Venn diagrams
❖ Bulls-Eye diagrams
❖ Data and graphs you generate
❖ Analysis writing
❖ Reflection writing
❖ Quick-writes
❖ Four square analogies
❖ Mnemonics
❖ Significant statements
❖ Flowcharts
❖ Graphic organizers
❖ Drawings
❖ Writing prompts
✓ Use color. It helps the brain learn and organize information.
✓ Homework problems are left sides, but they don’t take the place of processing your notes!
Help with the Right Side
❖ Always start the page with the date and title at the top of the page.
❖ Right sides have odd numbered pages.
❖ The right page is for writing down information you are given in class.
❖ Use Cornell Notes for lectures, discussions, texts, etc. Write up your
study questions ASAP.
❖ Write legibly. Use highlighting and color to make important
information stand out.
❖ Write summaries at the bottom of each page of notes to increase
comprehension and reduce amount you have to study.
The Reflection
Towards the end of each unit, you will be asked to reflect upon your work. This writing sample is
completed on a separate sheet of lined paper. While there is no required length, high quality
reflection uses 1-2 pages. Attach the parent review (with comments and signature) to the bottom of
your reflection.
1) Select up to 2 items that represent your best work – 1 from the left side, 1 from the right side. In
two reflective paragraphs, address the specific reasons why you chose these items as your best
work as well as what these assignments reflect about your skills as an critical reader/writer student.
High quality reflection includes your consideration of the following in reference to your best
work: what you learned from the activity, how you learned from it, what aspects of the work were
high quality, what you would do differently in the future (and why), what makes you proud of
this particular work, what made the activity worthwhile for you, how does the work impact your
view of the word, what information did you learn that was new to you, etc. High quality reflection
also examines your skills as a student and as a scientist. Skills you might discuss are organization,
analysis, logic, creativity, thoroughness, accuracy of information, ability to put new information
together, understanding new concepts, etc. Please note: Reasoning that it was “fun” or just that
you liked it is NOT adequate reflection.
2) Indicate your overall rating of your notebook based on the rubric. Explain why you have earned
this rating. Has your notebook improved from past notebooks?
3) What specific study skills have you employed to be successful in this class? What
organizational strategies appearing in the notebook helped you learn the most? Elaborate.
4) What are your goals for improvement in this class? List specific areas in which you feel you
need to improve or need help improving.
5) What specific changes would you like to see in this class? Explain.
*Credit for the set-up notes goes to Federal Way Public Schools
