Ninja Mind Control:

Note-taking strategies and techniques for lecture

Why should Ninjas take notes during lecture?

• To minimize rate of 'forgetting.'

• If you don't take notes: Ninjas will forget 60% in 14 days.

• If you do take some notes: Ninjas will remember 60%.

• If you take organizational notes and do something with it: Ninjas will remember 90-100%.

When should Ninjas take notes?

• During a lesson/lecture

• When reading a text

• When watching a film

• Working in a group or on an activity

• If you need to recall information about what happened to you during class.

Cornell Note-Taking Technique

• Dr. Walter Pauk, Cornell University Reading Center developed this method in 1949.

• Designed in response to frustration over student test scores.

• Meant to easily be used as a test study guide.

• Requires students to think critically after learning has taken place

• Bonus information: adopted by most major law schools as the preferred ntoe-taking method.

Cornell Note-Taking is different because...

• The page is divided into four parts: topic, left column, right column, and reflection.

• Note-taking helps students remember what is said in class.

• Cornell note-taking stimulates critical thinking.

• A good set of notes can help students work on assignments and prepare for tests outside of the classroom.

What do Ninjas write at the TOP of the

page?• Name

• Class

• Period

• Date

• Topic of the lecture/lesson

What do ninjas write on the LEFT side?

• Questions which are answered in the notes on the right

• Questions you still need the answer to-- ask the teacher or a friend after class

• Questions the teacher might ask on a test

• Higher-level thinking questions

• Key words, vocabulary words, or key dates

• Diagrams or figures

• Steps in a solution process

What do Ninjas write on the RIGHT side?

• Write only what is most important

• Listen for repetition, change in pace or volume, and explicit clues ("This is important" or "On the test"

• Write in your own words/paraphrase

• Use bullets, arrows, and indenting to list key ideas

Steps to getting started...

1. Set up your page: draw your margins and label each section clearly.

2. Take notes using the strategies!

3. Actively listen, analyze, and ask questions.

4. Review: Look over notes and highlight/edit and add information.

NINJA: GO!

• Time to try the Cornell Note-Taking Technique!

• Take a piece of loose leaf paper and try this method while watching the following video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvjgQqNOq9A

• Hint: This is the Ninja trick we will be learning today

How do Ninjas take notes when reading?

• Skimming and scanning

• Looking for key words

• Noticing bold, italic, and underlined words

• Being aware of headlines

• Using the table of contents, index, glossary, and title page

• Paying attention to picture captions

• Knowing that, sometimes, reading every word is necessary

• Make a mind map or table or line diagram