Learning To Learn
LISD Parent Series #3 - Note-Taking
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Welcome to LISD’s Learning to Learning Parent Series brought to you by the Counseling & Social Work Department. We wanted to provide parents with Study Skills tools you can use to support your student.
In our first two Learning to Learn Parent Series, we introduced the importance of Study Skills and Time Management.
In this third Learning to Learn Parent Series we are going to cover Note-Taking.
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Study Skills - Character Education Alignment Chart
The Learning to Learn-Character Education Alignment chart below highlights the lesson themes that LISD students will explore during their advisory class throughout the school year.
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What is Note-Taking?
Taking Notes involves active listening, as well as, organizing, connecting, and relating information to ideas you already know.
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Importance of Note-Taking?
Taking notes during class supports your learning in several important ways: Taking notes facilitates learning, by allowing you to become an effective learner. When taking notes you will stay more focused on what is being said or what you are reading. As you take notes in class, you will be engaging your mind in identifying and organizing the main ideas. Rather than passively listening, you will be doing the work of active learning while in class, making the most of your time. Taking notes helps you to focus your attention and avoid distractions by continuously analyzing and thinking rapidly about what you see/hear. Your notes become a storehouse of information for later use. Reviewing a set of condensed and well-organized notes is more efficient than re-reading longer texts and articles. Notes serve as a visual “file” of information for later review: Preparing for an exam/quiz Writing a paper Revisiting what was covered in class from the previous week
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Student Advisory Examples
Strategies for Effective Note-Taking
1. Column Notes
2. T-Chart
3. Outlining
Note-Taking Strategies:
1. Decide how you want to organize your notes (column notes, t-chart, outlining)
2. Listen for key vocabulary, terms, main concepts, Learning Targets
3. Use abbreviations and know what they mean (annotations)
4. Reflect on your notes after class
Effective note-taking is important because it:
- Supports your listening efforts.
- Allows you to test your understanding of the material.
- Helps you remember the material better when you write key ideas down.
- Gives you a sense of what the instructor thinks is important.
- Creates your “ultimate study guide.”
Column Notes
- Two-Column Note-Taking is an especially useful method for detailed and technical information.
- The act of separating main ideas from details strengthens the understanding and memory of the content area.
T-Chart Notes
- Reading a text
- Watching a video
- Reviewing a PowerPoint presentation
- Listening to a lecture (live or on video)
Comparing/Contrasting ideas:
- Pros/Cons
- Cause/Effect
- Facts/Opinions
- Problems/Solutions
- Strengths/Weaknesses
Outline Notes
- Every major topic of the lecture or meeting will be placed farthest to the left of the page.
- Subtopics will be added using an indent to the right.
- Each supporting fact or note is placed below the subtopic, using another indent.
- This way, the notes add a great structure to the whole lecture or meeting making it easy to review them after.
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How Can You Support Your Student with Taking Notes?
Click on any one of the three images below for a few tips and strategies on how to support your student with taking notes.
Brain Balance:
4 ready to use strategies to support your student with the basics of note-taking.
Understanding Note-Taking Video (1:16 min):
A guide to effective note-taking.
Common Sense Media:
Explore a few note-taking Apps.
Note-taking strategies for middle schoolers can help your student(s) retain information from class and can help with paying attention.
Browse these note-taking Apps for Middle School Students --- From text notes and audio recordings to digital post-its, this list has something for everyone, no matter what method of taking notes your student(s) prefer.
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Additional Resources
L-Hub
- You can access all of the above links and more through Lewisville ISD's class links platform, Learning-Hub.
Skyward Family Access
- Parents can access Skyward Family Access through their personal login. This website offers information about your student's grades, attendance, and future pathways.
- Our goal is for parents to stay involved in their student's educational journey.
- Need more information on Skyward Family Access? Check out the LISD Skyward Family Access information page.
Canvas
- Parents can access Canvas through their student's login. This platform houses all of the Learning to Learn Study Skills lessons.
- Our goal is for parents to help support this learning by partnering with us to reinforce Learning to Learn Study Skills at home.
- Need more information on Canvas? Creating a Parent Canvas Account and Accessing your Parent Canvas Account