Exploring Different Note Taking Strategies

Part of supporting students in being as successful as possible is helping them to develop strategies for school that work for them. Every child learns differently, and what works for one may not be as effective for another. Fortunately, there are a multitude of paths students can take and still reach the same goal.

Note taking is one area where students can vary greatly. Given a blank piece of paper and a pencil, not everyone knows how to start jotting down important points and organizing their thoughts in a way that makes sense when listening to someone speak. Testing out a variety of approaches to taking notes can help students find a system they prefer. Here are just a few common formats:

• Cornell Method: Create a two-inch column along the left-hand side of the paper leaving a six-inch column on the right. Draw a horizontal line about two inches from the bottom of the page. During class, write notes in the right-hand column, leaving a space between different topics or concepts. Afterward, add keywords or phrases related to each main point in the left-hand column. When studying, cover up what is written on the right and see how much can be recalled using the cue on the left. In the section at the bottom, write a few sentences summarizing the whole page of notes.
• Sketch Notes: For visual learners, draw pictures, diagrams, symbols, or other doodles that relate to the content. This can build connections and help trigger recall. For instance, when talking about the phases of mitosis, draw a quick sketch of each phase. Or when discussing types of energy, draw a small picture as an example of each type.
• Concept Mapping: Put the main topic in a circle in the middle of the page, then draw lines and circles connecting to that for each subtopic. Continue building out each subtopic in the same way, creating a flowchart that shows how each point is related.
• Graphic Organizers: Print out different types of graphic organizers that arrange information in systematic ways and help guide note taking. There are some that are very simple and others that are more complex, so see what structure seems to make the most sense when breaking down content.

Tips for Taking Notes

Once students find a note taking approach they like, they can work out the details of writing down information. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Don’t try to write down the entire lecture verbatim. Summarize information focusing on important events, dates, people, concepts, and terms.
• If something is unclear, put an asterisk or star next to it as a reminder to ask for clarification or more information.
• Use different colors as visual cues. Decide what each color will be used for and stick to this system. For instance, using red for main ideas, orange for definitions, yellow for dates or events, green for examples, etc.
• Use separate notebooks in different colors for each class to keep notes organized and together in one place. Get corresponding-colored folders to store loose leaf papers.

It can take a little time for students to get used to structuring their notes in a certain way, but it can make a positive difference when it comes to studying and preparing for tests. Students often find that it is much easier to locate important information and make sense of what they learned.

If your child is struggling with note taking, study skills, organization, or subject-specific content, contact Crafting Scholars to learn more about how we can help. We offer personalized learning plans tailored to each student’s unique needs, goals, and learning style.

Originally published at https://craftingscholars.com on July 12, 2023.