Interactive Notebooks

Donielle AlbrechtCordova High School

What is an Interactive Notebook?

Why use Interactive Notebooks?

• Improves organizational techniques• Encourages critical thinking skills• Helps students synthesize and evaluate

information• Helps students with various learning styles• Encourages students to be more creative and

independent in their thinking

OLD vs. NEW3 Ring Binder- Dividers

• Has clear sections/tabs• Does not separate

materials by units or themes

• Not a useful study tool• Students rarely keep up

with organization– No interaction

with notes taken

– Easy to teach/organize

Interactive Notebook

• Separates materials by units or themes

• Useful study tool prior to tests

• Students have to stay organized

• Students must “interact” with their notes

• Difficult learning curve for students at first

OLD vs. NEW3 Ring Binder- Dividers

• Students were only okay about bringing to class on a regular basis

Interactive Notebooks• Students almost

always have notebook• They know they will

use it every day

What will Students Need?

• Supplies:– A spiral notebook (Five star Mead)– Glue– Pens– Colored Pencils– Hi-Lighters– Scissors

What “extras” will teachers need?

• Graphic Organizers• Outline Maps and Images• Rubrics

– World Geography – Chapter – AP Human Geography/ Themes

Also:Time and patience initially

Getting Started:

• Create Cover Page – Includes Course Name– Student’s Name– Teacher’s name– Should be colorful and well designed– First impact as open notebook

Beginning of a Unit or Theme

The Input Side= Right

• Lecture notes• Worksheets• Video Notes• “Testable information”

REMEMBER: WRITE ON THE RIGHT!

The Output Side = Left

Helpful Hints:

More suggestions….

From the Students:

Positives• Keeps them organized• Get credit for

classwork• Helps them study and

with test prep• Great when teacher is

efficient– Shows

cumulative work- PRIDE!

Negatives• Time consuming• Left pages challenges

them sometimes• Pages rip out• Heavy

From the Teacher:

Contact Info:

• Donielle Albrecht• albrechtdoniellef@mcsk12.net• Cordova High