Digest, Don’t RegurgitateProcessing Skills through Interactive Notebooks

Donna MathisProvidence School of Jacksonvillemathisdjax@aol.com

Jesus on Teaching by Parable:

And He replied to them, To you it has been given to know the secrets and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. Matthew 3:11

As teachers, we are given many abilities and it is our purpose to find a way to relay understanding through as many venues as we possibly can use.

Jesus on Teaching by Parable

This is the reason that I speak to them in parables: because having the power of seeing, they do not see; and having the power of hearing, they do not hear, nor do they grasp and understand. Matthew 13:13

Doesn’t this sound like a typical student?• You have given the student all kinds of information

visually (presentations, worksheets, drawings)• You have given the student many opportunities to listen

to information and ask questions

Making Notes

When did you “learn” to make your own notes?

How did you learn? How did you practice what you learned? How did you know your practice worked?

Using Your Brain

Researchers found that, overall, gray matter volume increased at earlier ages, followed by sustained loss and thinning (like pruning back an overgrown bush) starting around puberty, which correlates with advancing cognitive abilities. Good news – SO THAT’S WHY Not so Good News – UNTIL 20’S?

Learning for the Student

Information needs to be uncovered based on Familiar experience Emotional attachment

Information needs to be Organized

Notes Worksheets and ancillary material (taped in)

Multi-faceted (more than just words)

ISN – Interactive Science Notebook Allows students to have structure within the

confines of class notes and not lose papers in the process

Allows students to reflect on how they are learning

Allows students to be creative in how they are learning

Allows teachers to see if students are actively attempting to process information or if they are just going through the motions

Leading the Way to ISN (in my class) CRISS Strategies utilizing

Graphic organizers Imagery Summaries

Book focused exercises 2-column notes Flash cards CLOZE notes (Fill in the blanks)

Cornell Notemaking

Goals of the ISN

Students have the experience to activity participate in their own learning to minimize the number of times they lose worksheets or

other paperwork to think “outside the box” – a creative outlet

Improve vocabulary skills Improve communication skills

to foster metacognition – know what you know and why Students learn to be self starters to gain information

Challenge other students – can you understand my notes? Improves communication with parents – for student and

teacher

So How Does the ISN work?

There are 2 sides to the ISN Right Side is the more organized

note-making/taking side Information uncovered in class Data collection Just the facts – News articles, readings, etc

Left Side is the processing and reflective side What did you like about today’s info? How might you explain this to your parents?

The Basic Set Up Plus Minus Interesting

Student Choices (up to 2)

Lesson Title Quantitative Info (Date, Time, Temp) Qualitative info (Description of attitude or day) Adult Sponsor

Engage Question:

Notes from class

Always Start with a Grading Rubric Gives Focus Allows students to determine own grade Allows parents to assist in the learning

process

ISN Grading Rubric

Looking at the Right side Lesson Title Quantitative Info (Date, Time, Temp) Qualitative info (Description of attitude or day) Adult Sponsor

Engage Question:

Notes from class

Looking at the Left Side

Kids in Action

Kids in Action 2

Kids in Action 3

Kids in Action 4

Student Basics – Right Side

1st quarter, lots of power point presentations caused some issues Students wanted copy things word for word When studying, students studied just facts rather than how

the facts were intertwined 2nd quarter, worked on getting students to explain

Power teaching Turn and Teach 3 minute Teach, 2 minute Turn & Teach, 1 minute note-

making

Training for the Left Side

Students needed focus rather than “be creative” continue to refer to RUBRIC or venture into other “unique” way of processing information

CHOICES section offers avenues of open ended ideas (see topic pages)

.

GeocentricTeam 1

Team 3

Team 2

Team 4

Long Term and Short Term Grading Rubric Grades – Long Term

2 times per quarter No notification as to when it will be collected

Stamp Grade – Short Term 1-2 times per week Notification is usually given at the beginning of class Things that can earn a “thumbs up” (stamp can be found at

office supply stores) Correct format Correct engage BONUS for other assignments (limit use)

ISN Stamp Check

Helpful Hints New ISN each quarter No ripped out pages and use black or blue ink only Strike outs NOT white out (you need to see the

mistakes made previously) Title page with name, quarter and period and name

on sides Table of contents that also allows student to keep

up with grade

.

Question? Help?

Donna Mathis – Mathisdjax@aol.com