Using Copybooks in

the Core Knowledge Classroom

by Krystal Kroeker

Using Copybooks in the Core Knowledge Classroom

• Introduction– Taught 4th grade for 7

years – all in CK schools– Moved into administration

3 years ago– Core Knowledge

Consultant

Using Copybooks in the Core Knowledge Classroom

• Outline of Presentation– Explanation and background of copybooks

– Personal Experience using copybooks

– Research on copybooks

– How copybooks can make teaching more effective

– Copybook examples

– Sample copybook activity

– Workshop – your turn to plan for using copybooks

– Conclusion/Q and A time

Using Copybooks in the Core Knowledge Classroom

• What are copybooks?– Self-created by students

• Example: Alexander Graham Bell (CK, Grade 3) – instead of giving students a worksheet on Bell, have them create a page in their copybooks. Students could draw a picture of Bell and then web information and facts about his life and accomplishments around his picture. Using these facts, students then write a paragraph about Bell.

– Powerful learning tools that help students retain content learned in class

Using Copybooks in the Core Knowledge Classroom

• What are copybooks (con’t)?– A tool for making cross-curricular connections– A great resource for to assess student

learning

– A way to engage and motivate students– An effective way to teach the Core Knowledge

topics

Using Copybooks in the Core Knowledge Classroom• What are copybooks (con’t)?

– A way for all students to be successful• Students of all ability levels have success

using copybooks.

• Students of all learning styles love copybooks

– Auditory – hear the information, discussion, and instructions

– Visual – see the teacher modeling how to create the page in the copybook; see the original diagrams, charts, etc.

– Kinesthetic – students are able to create their own books

Using Copybooks in the Core Knowledge Classroom

• What do copybooks look like?– A variety of forms

• Sketch books

• Spiral notebooks

• Composition books• Three ring binders• Folders with three prongs inside• White paper stapled together and bound• Whatever works for you and your students!

Using Copybooks in the Core Knowledge Classroom• Background on copybooks

– The idea of copybooks comes from Charlotte Mason philosophy

• CM was an author and educator who lived in England in the late 19th and early 20th century

• Founded the Parents National Education Union and The House of Education

– The idea is to capture ideas, diagrams, maps, and charts that can later be referred to for contemplation, inspiration, and analysis

Using Copybooks in the Core Knowledge Classroom

• My personal experience with copybooks– First couple years teaching

• Used worksheets• They can be effective – worked hard to make

them so• What ended up happening to them? They got

lost or tossed!– Moved to a new school

• Used copybooks!• Much more student engagement• Higher retention of content• Helps focus the students attention• Students took great pride in their work – they

were creating their own books!

Using Copybooks in the Core Knowledge Classroom

• Personal Experience– What do you remember?

• Worksheets?

• Projects you created and developed on your own?

• Students love to create their own books; retention of information is much higher than using worksheets

Using Copybooks in the Core Knowledge Classroom

• Personal Experience– Teacher/Student Testimonials

• Students are enthusiastic – “This is so cool!” “I love doing this book!”

• As a teacher, those comments represent a zest for learning and a desire on the student's part to create a more memorable way to not only understand but remember the subject content. The Copy Books are something students can be proud of and call their own. They are a souvenir of what they have learned. Their creations are something to be shared and to be proud of. What better way to student achievement?

Using Copybooks in the Core Knowledge Classroom

• Personal Experience– Teacher/Student Testimonials (con’t)

• It has become quite apparent to me that if a student can touch, create, build or feel his/her way to learning, he/she has a better chance of success. The copybooks reach all three learning styles and have certainly proven to me to be a triumph in the classroom.

• Student interest is high when these methods are used and allows me to circulate throughout the classroom to support individual students, or groups of students, when appropriate.

Using Copybooks in the Core Knowledge Classroom

• Personal Experience– Teacher/Student Testimonials (con’t)

• Progress of students can be informally assessed daily by the teacher

• Copybooks are a reinforcement tool for memory work involving specialized science vocabulary.

• In my experience, students using copybooks are co-operative, remain on task, and engage willingly in discussions.

• I cannot imagine teaching science without using copybooks!

Using Copybooks in the Core Knowledge Classroom

• Research on copybooks– Charlotte Mason

• Advocated a liberal (generous) education• Students learn a body of information (this should

sound familiar to CK teachers!)• Students are allowed time to concentrate and

analyze their learning• A child’s thinking power should be encouraged;

as should their creative and imaginative powers• The goal is self-education/life-long learners

Using Copybooks in the Core Knowledge Classroom

• Research on copybooks– Charlotte Mason (con’t)

• Nature notebooks – kept drawings and notations of what they studied in nature

• History notebooks – encouraged children to record charts, maps, timelines, and sketches

Using Copybooks in the Core Knowledge Classroom

• Research on copybooks– Charlotte Mason on Science

• Draw diagrams/pictures!

– Human Heart– Ocean Life– Motion and Forces

– Life Cycles

These are all CK topics!!

Using Copybooks in the Core Knowledge Classroom• Research on copybooks

– Leonardo da Vinci believed Science and Art/Drawing go well together• da Vinci spent his early years recording

his observations as sketches in his notebooks

• He used math and science to improve his art

• His most reliable source of knowledge was the observations he made in his notebooks

• His notebooks contained examples of experiments he conducted

Using Copybooks in the Core Knowledge Classroom

• Research on copybooks

• Researchers have shown decisively that when children study because they enjoy it, their learning is deeper, richer, and longer lasting

• Teachers can use copybooks to help foster students’ excitement and enthusiasm for learning

Using Copybooks in the Core Knowledge Classroom

• How can copybooks make your teaching more effective?– Students better retain the CK content you

are teaching!

– More engagement and excitement for learning

– Powerful tool to assist in cross-curricular connections

– Easy way to measure and assess student learning

Using Copybooks in the Core Knowledge Classroom

• Students better retain CK contentTeacher models how to draw/create

the page

Used as a tool to stimulate discussion in class and at

home

Students work to create their own books!

Students use copybooks to explain and teach the content to others

Using Copybooks in the Core Knowledge Classroom

• Copybook examples– Come from “real life” students– These examples all cover topics

straight out of the Core Knowledge sequence

Used cotton balls!

One of my favorites! Webbing – this is a great way to teach students to plan their writing

Cross-curricular connections! Music Poetry (from the CK

Sequence)

Cross-curricular connections – taking notes and learning vocabulary

Cross-curricular connections – writing!

Can still use worksheets – just glue them into the copybooks. This is especially helpful when first getting started with copybooks.

Objective is stated!

Using Copybooks in the Core Knowledge Classroom• Words of caution…

– Copybooks are more work!• For the teacher – extra planning

• For the students – extra time

– Just be aware and plan accordingly!– They are infinitely worth it!!

There are three main types of clouds. The first type of cloud is the cirrus clouds. Cirrus clouds are high up in the sky. They are white and feathery. The second is the cumulous cloud. These clouds are big and puffy. They are flat on the bottom. The final cloud is the stratus cloud. Stratus clouds are low in the sky. They look like wide, gray blankets. Although there are other variations of clouds, the cirrus, cumulous, and stratus are the three main types.

Clouds

Cumulous

Stratus

Cirrus

Puffy

Flat on bottom

White and feathery

High up

Low

Wide blankets of gray

Using Copybooks in the Core Knowledge Classroom – Sample Copybook Activity

Using Copybooks in the Core Knowledge Classroom• Your turn!

– Think of a CK unit that you currently teach

– Think of how you are teaching it – are you using worksheets?

– How can you teach it using copybooks?

– Use the sheet to help you plan

– Be ready to share with the group in 15-20 minutes

Using Copybooks in the Core Knowledge Classroom

Core Knowledge Topic:

Bullet points:

What methods do I currently use to teach this unit?

What ideas do I have to incorporate copybooks into this unit?

Using Copybooks in the Core Knowledge Classroom• Let’s share our ideas!!

Using Copybooks in the Core Knowledge Classroom• Conclusion

– Copybooks are a powerful tool for teaching the Core Knowledge topics

• High engagement

• High retention

– Science especially lends itself to having students create their own books

• Questions?

Using Copybooks in the Core Knowledge Classroom• Resources

– Core Knowledge Sequence– Motivated Minds: Raising Children to Love

Learning by Deborah Stipek and Kathy Seal– A Charlotte Mason Educatby Kion atherin Levison

– A Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Anderola

– The Cloud Book by Tomie de Paola

– Learning Pyramid. National Training Laboratories. www.tcde.tehama.k12.ca.us/pyramid.pdf

– Leonardo’s Workshop: The Invention, Art, and Science of Leonardo da Vinci by Cheryl Fox www.loc.gov/loc/kidslc/LGpdfs/loe-teachers.pdf