Note-taking Strategies

Mind Maps

Title of Section with Ch. And Section

How to do a mind map?

Blue Heading if notes from book

• each branch different color

• 4 words or less

• description for entire paragraph

• diagram for understanding/relates

Why we do mind maps?

• organize our thoughts

• Aid in recall

• keep from copying book

• short & sweet summary

• whole brain activity

• easy to edit

When to do a mind map?

• brainstorming

• ask questions

• book notes

• class notes

Tips for mind maps:

• use lines of paper

• no examples

• if I write, you write

• legibility & neatness key

Mind Map Examples

Mind Map Examples

Mind Map Examples

Cornell Notes

TITLE ON THE TOP LINE WITH CH. AND SECTIONSet Up:

title

Key terms•Blue heading, main idea, title of power point slide• definitions

• Fold paper so it has a margin on the left and room for notes on the right• Each title/topic on left should be a different color

Why cornell?

• separate topics• Easy to read and understand

When? • Lecture notes, book notes

Tips: • Plan ahead the space you need• Add questions as you go to the left side to be answered in class• Skip a line for each new topic• Notes should be a summary, short and concise

Graphic OrganizersTypes of Graphic Organizers

How Why Tips

Tables •Topics across top• Each column with a heading• Each row with a heading

• Organize thoughts• Good for comparison• Can compare variables across columns and rows• Used to collect data in labs

• Plan ahead•Neatness helps!!!!

Graphic OrganizersVenn Diagrams

Used to make comparisons:

differences differences

differences

similarities

Graphic Organizers

Relationship Chart

Shows connections Between common

Items by level

Can be used to classify

Can also be usedTo show stepsIn a process

Also from one level To the next