The Interactive Notebook
The purpose of the Interactive Notebook is to let you to be a creative, independent thinker and writer. Interactive notebooks will be used for class notes as well as for other activities where you will be asked to express your own ideas and process the information presented by this class.
The Interactive Notebook gets you more involved with the material by making charts, illustrating notes, creating timelines, writing poetry, and stating your opinion. Doing this helps you to demonstrate what you’ve have learned and to remember that material. Key ideas are underlined in color or highlighted. By using this process, you will develop graphic thinking skills which will allow you to express ideas in the way you will best understand. Eventually, your notebook becomes a portfolio of what you actually learned.
Step One – Preparation
Set up your Interactive Notebook using the following supplies:
- A 8 ½" x 11" 5-subject spiral notebook (200+ PAGES)
- Colored pencils AND a Gel pen (for detailing)
- Pen and pencil with eraser
- Small pair of scissors and a glue stick
- A 8 ½" x 11" 5-subject spiral notebook (200+ PAGES)
- Colored pencils AND a Gel pen (for detailing)
- Pen and pencil with eraser
- Small pair of scissors and a glue stick
Step Two – Observation
(entered on the Right Side: ODD-NUMBERED)
This side of the Notebook will contain data provided by the teacher – worksheets, lectures, etc. Each right sided entry will be numbered with an ODD NUMBER. Points are assigned 0, 10 & 20.
Step Three – Interpretation
(entered on the Left Side: EVEN-NUMBERED)
You will convert the right-side data into a visual representation. Suggestions include:
Brainstorming Warm-ups Reflective homework writing assignments Discovery headlines Biography posters
Mind Mapping Riddles Your QUESTIONS Pictographs Cartoons/Doodles
Poetry & Songs Metaphors/Analogies Concept Map Venn Diagrams Dialogues
Sketches Flow Chart/Timeline
These assignments will be provided to you by the teacher – Right Side activities will be thoroughly explained so you understand what is expected. Again, each left side entry will be numbered with an EVEN NUMBER. Points as assigned 0, 20, 30, 40, with extra credit awarded only when a page reaches the 40 point total.
Here is how I will grade each even-numbered page of your notebook:
- 40 pts Credit: assignment is complete, AND colored
- 30 pts Credit: assignment is complete and OR colored
- 20 pts Credit: assignment is complete but no color is present
- Zero Credit: assignment is not completed
Earning an ‘A’
Your Interactive Student Notebook must come to class every day, and it will be graded at the end of every unit, and/or periodically. At times, I will spot check your notebooks and give you instant feedback. Other times, I will grade your notebooks on thoroughness, quality and accuracy of work, organization, and visual appeal. Every assignment should be complete and neat. Also, your artistic or creative touch should be visible throughout the notebook. Use color, pictures, and diagrams in order to highlight what you have learned.
A student who expects to earn an 'A-' or higher grade on the notebook will be one who has taken the time to consistently include extra work. Whatever you draw or paste into the notebook should relate to the discussions, readings, or activities we have completed for the class. Activities might sometimes appear on odd-numbered pages – don’t worry! Sometimes our units will require us to make this adjustment. As long as your TOC shows that assignment for that page, you will not be marked down.
Once you begin to feel comfortable with the interactive notebook system, you are ready to explore ideas of your own, to raise questions of interest to you, and to make connections between "real life" and what you are learning. Remember that this is a great chance to use your creativity, and change a boring binder into a dynamic work of educational art!
A student who expects to earn an 'A-' or higher grade on the notebook will be one who has taken the time to consistently include extra work. Whatever you draw or paste into the notebook should relate to the discussions, readings, or activities we have completed for the class. Activities might sometimes appear on odd-numbered pages – don’t worry! Sometimes our units will require us to make this adjustment. As long as your TOC shows that assignment for that page, you will not be marked down.
Once you begin to feel comfortable with the interactive notebook system, you are ready to explore ideas of your own, to raise questions of interest to you, and to make connections between "real life" and what you are learning. Remember that this is a great chance to use your creativity, and change a boring binder into a dynamic work of educational art!