How to Own Your Textbookand how to make sure it doesn’t own you!

How do I effectively read my textbook? Make sure you are focused while reading;

consider your environment You have different purposes for different

types of text When you are assigned to read a chapter in

a textbook, you need to: Analyze the reading task Make a plan for reading Use a note-taking strategy to help you retain

what you read

Analyze the Reading Task What is the overall text pattern?

Survey the text for the most important ideas How do these ideas fit in with what has been

previously learned? How do they tie into the most important

idea? Are you noticing a pattern? Examine the relationships between the

headings and subheadings

Select a Note-Taking Strategy “But why must we take notes???”

whined all of the students. Clarifies relationships Putting together an outline is like putting

together a puzzle Helps students analyze and synthesize

relationships in a text Helps to evaluate the author’s main points Helps to build a foundation for discussion

Why Taking Notes Rules Your notes are living, breathing animals You can add to them, rewrite them, revise them,

learn from them, shorten them You can personalize your notes by developing a

system of abbreviations—almost like texting You can add sketches and diagrams and

timelines—show your thinking process Rereading your notes is far easier than

rereading the chapter!

Do all notes look alike? How do I know my style of note-taking is correct? Do your notes show that some ideas are

more important than others? Can you tell the difference between the

major and minor ideas? Does your strategy show that you

understand the relationships between the ideas?

Do you copy word for word from the text?

Answer key: yes, yes, yes, NO!!!!!

It’s time to get metacognitive! Know how your brain works, then choose

the style that works best for you The best method is probably a combination! One more time. . . “Why do we have to take

notes???” the students whined. Because we forget! (Pauk, 1978) Options: outline, semantic mapping, text

annotations, series of events chain, network tree, timeline

Try It Out! You’ve just completed chapter 8; take a minute to

reflect on the major ideas and themes you’ve covered so far (Hint—skim over old notes to help you remember!)

What are the big ideas? Analyze the text assigned—chapter 9 Take 4 minutes to look at: timeline, comprehension

questions, vocabulary, headings and subheadings, diagrams, pictures and captions; consider how this new information will be integrated into the big idea

Develop a plan for reading Select your note-taking strategy and get reading! Monitor your pace and monitor your ability to focus Compare with a partner