ADHD and Executive Function Skills for Success: Two Column Summary Notes for Neurodivergent Teens

Note taking, a key component of academic success requires students to focus on what the teacher is saying, record key ideas and facts, then remember the information they heard and recorded when it is time to take a test.  ADHD learners are often challenged by listening comprehension, focus, and working memory.   It is vital that students with ADHD find a note taking strategy that works for them.

Two column note taking is a very simple note taking strategy.  Students record their ideas on the first column as they listen to the teacher lecture or watch a video.  Students will be encouraged to use symbols and visuals as well as words to record what they see and hear. As soon as they can after class is concluded, they take a few minutes to summarize and respond to the notes that they recorded.  This process allows working memory to move content from short term memory to long term memory.  With this note taking strategy students have an easy indepth record and analysis of information that they can review before a test and hopefully be more successful on assessments.

In this class students will learn about two column note taking and how it strengthens our working memory and allows them to review and recall what they have learned.  They will have hand-on practice with the skill by listening to a Google Slide presentation on a high interest topic for teens.  Possible topics may include interesting careers, cool scientific topics, etc.  Students will then participate in a Kahoot review to see how well they retained the information that they recorded and reviewed.