Taking Notes: Practice Note-Taking in Class for Teens (Ongoing)

This class will use education TEDEd videos and learner-friendly articles to focus on the practical application of note-taking.  Learners will take notes alongside their teacher and peers using one style of five (list, outline, concept maps, keyword outlines, and Cornell Notes) per class. Following the note taking session, everyone will compare their notes to learn and ensure that the important information was captured.

Templates of each style will be provided, but learners should come to the sessions with a notebook and something to write with, as templates will not be readily available outside of class in note-taking situations. **

Each class will be structured as follows (with room for more discussion as needed):
Ten-minute review on all styles of notes and quick tips on how to take notes discussion style, with longer explanation for the style of the day
A five to ten-minute educational article reading during which learners and the teacher will take notes
Five-minute discussion and comparison of notes with peers and teacher
A three to five-minute educational TED-Ed video during which learners and teacher will take notes
Five-minute discussion and comparison of notes with peers and the teacher
Five-minute wrap-up and/or discussion as time allows

Week of Sept 3- Cornell Notes
Week of Sept 10- Keyword Outline Notes (reading only)
Week of Sept 24- List Notes
Week of Oct 1- Outline Notes
Week of Oct 8- Concept Maps
Week of Oct 15- Cornell Notes
Week of Oct 22- Key Word Outline Notes (reading only)
Week of Oct 29- List Notes
Week of Nov 5- Outline Notes
Week of Nov 12- Concept Maps
Week of Nov 19- Cornell Notes
Week of Nov 26- Keyword Outline Notes (reading only)
Week of Dec 3- List Notes
Week of Dec 10- Outline Notes
Week of Dec 17- Concept Map Notes
Week of Dec 24- Cornell Notes
Week of Dec 31- Keyword Outline Notes (reading only)
Week of Jan 7- List Notes
Week of Jan 14- Outline Notes
Week of Jan 21- Concept Map Notes
Week of Jan 28- Cornell Notes



Styles will be recycled with new videos and readings after the fourth meeting, or the current session will end, and a new session will begin, depending on student demand.

As an ongoing class focusing on only one style each session, students can enroll and withdraw as they would like or need. 

Continued practice and comparing to the teacher will help students identify key elements to include in their notes. By practicing the different styles, learners will be able to find a style that works best for them. 

** There is a quick tips review in each class, but we will not focus on how to abbreviate, use Google docs to take notes, slow videos, provide content outlines, etc. Some of this content will naturally arise in the sessions and be discussed, but the majority will be learned by practical application and examples from peers and instructors. The goal of this class is to practice the styles and compare with others to help students be equipped to walk into a live, real-time session and take notes effectively with no preparation beyond a notebook and pen.