Note-Taking Skills: Visual Brain Doodles!
This class will focus on how to take notes using a visual approach. A step-by-step simple sketch, doodles, and pictures approach will be practiced together. When we think of a "plant, Egypt, cells, or a skeleton" we don't think of the words but visualize the images. This way of taking notes simplifies the process and provides students with a study skills toolbox to carry into those middle and high school years! *Especially helpful for Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Neurodivergent thinkers.
Judy Mills
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(497)
Star Educator
What's included
4 live meetings
2 hrs 40 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. The optional after-class homework will provide practice and students can use a current subject or interest area they are already working on at home or at school. They will be amazed at how easy and fun it is to implement their "Brain Doodles" and help to remember what they are learning. They will be building their own style of note-taking to carry into those middle and high school years. ***Note these assignment details will be posted to the classroom after class.Assessment
Students can share their "Brain Doodles" in class for other students to see. I will provide feedback to help them develop their own visual note-taking method. We will share our ideas together and learn from each other to test out new ideas and concepts learned. There will not be a formal assessment as each learner will develop their own unique style and methods, while learning the "Brain Doodle" method.Class Experience
Beginner - Advanced Level
📒This class will focus on each student by incorporating their individual learning style. In a partnership approach we will incorporate "Brain Doodles" visual note-taking to progressively build new processes. Brain Doodles can provide that jolt of encouragement and help a student grasp new complex topics. No drawing experience is required for this class. ☆Class is especially helpful for Dyslexic, Dysgraphic, and Neurodivergent learners! 📋 Staying organized while taking notes is just as important as note-taking itself. This skill is often overlooked in those "middle school" years. Practicing this method of "Note-Taking" can guide a student who prefers "pictures" over words. Visual note-taking provides the foundation for building one's memory of new material. 👉We will begin by talking about how to organize our thoughts and ideas. Students will brainstorm with guidance and understand the significance of taking notes and our various learning preferences. All topic areas below will be overlapping concepts learned to assist learners in implementing this note-taking method. The additional topics we will progress and explore are listed below: ♦️What are Brain Doodles: Ideas, Fun, Imaginative, Creative, Colorful... ♦️Steps to Brain Doodles: Materials, Title, Diagrams, Drawing, Writing, Bullets, and Icons ♦️Things to Remember: Text, Images, Structure, Table Chart, and Topography (How our font looks and feels) ♦️Application: Grab a textbook or favorite subject material and we will practice together. Exploration, discovery, and simply enjoying their own note-taking style are key to successful implementation! We will practice these newly learned concepts in class weekly. Students can periodically share their "Brain Doodles" as they are working on them in class. *This is optional for feedback and incorporating the new concepts. 🔍Students will discover how to incorporate "Brain Doodles" into their studies and interests of choice at home. ~All optional assignments will be posted in the classroom and also be discussed at the end of each class meeting.
Learning Goals
Students will learn the methods of a visual note-taking to assist with helping retain new and complex concepts. By learning this method step-by-step in class with guidance learners can practice for successful implementation after class.
Syllabus
4 Lessons
over 4 WeeksLesson 1:
What are Brain Doodles?
In our initial session, we'll delve into the components of a Brain Doodle and explore how to seamlessly integrate it into all aspects of learning. We will incorporate a few fun exercises to allow learners to understand the "why" behind creating a "Brain Doodle" while learning something new. 40 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
1st Steps to Creating Brain Doodles!
We will uncover how to create a title, text, and topography. This class breaks down the basic components and learners will begin to create their "Brain Doodle" in class. We will wrap-up with talking about how to create a visual and fun "table chart" to assist with sparking new ideas. 40 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Brain Doodle Practice Time Session
Learners will experience and see what various "Brain Doodles" may look like for various subjects/topics. I will guide them in creating a portion of their "Brain Doodle" topic they select. This subject/topic will vary upon learners interest. A few sample topics students have created are below: cells, sand art, baking a cake, cooking a steak, rock abrasion, simple machines, Minecraft, 3 types of rocks, pollination of plants... 40 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Brain Doodle Wrap-up & Final Practice Session
In this final class, learners will create another "Brain Doodle" from start to finish with guidance and sharing of ideas. Students may share their ideas and collaborate on topics. I will continue to guide and assist each learner through the process as they develop the foundation skills to carry on after class. Brain Doodles show learners how to develop the visualization of topics and grow their confidence in using this note taking skill, from elementary through college levels and beyond! 40 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Learning Needs
Our brains are unique in all the talents we possess. Let's explore together and provide each classmate with an amazing experience and learn from each other. *Especially helpful for neurodivergent learners.
Supply List
Students will need a blank tablet or paper to organize everything in one place. Please bring your selection of supplies: a pencil, colored pencils, markers, or crayons. This provides a great toolbox to build upon when our Brain Doodles begin to develop. *Please have all materials for the first day of class! Contact me with any questions, please.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined October, 2019
4.9
497reviews
Star Educator
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree from Pennsylvania State University
The concept of typical note-taking was one that didn't work for my Dyslexic child. As a homeschool mom, we practiced and investigated various ways of taking notes. This method we came up with by using many different approaches. I want to share this with all students who want to organize their thoughts, practice a new concept, and see that there are other ways to take notes and understand challenging material. I get such joy and excitement watching a child's eyes light up when those "Brain Doodle" connections take place!Reviews
Live Group Class
$65
for 4 classes1x per week, 4 weeks
40 min
Completed by 43 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-13
2-7 learners per class
