Chapter 3 Summarizing and Note Taking

Activity Set 1: Key Ideas for Summarizing

Step 1) Open and print the handout below which gives step-by-step  directions for this first summarizing activity.

 Summarizing Activity


Step 2)
Working with a partner, determine who will read pages 29-34 in the Classroom Instruction that Works book.

Step 3) Individually read your assigned pages, highlight and/or take notes about the key ideas, and then use Microsoft Word (or an open source word processing program) to write an individual summary of what you read.

Step 4) When both individual summaries are finished, open one partner's summary. Under the Tools menu of Word, select the Track Changes function and revise this document by incorporating the key ideas from the other partner's summary. Refer to the Track Changes Directions handout for specific directions regarding this function

Step 5) Discuss the following questions with your partner.
 

  • Would the "Rule-Based" Strategy be effective for your students?
  • How would you use this strategy with them?
  • How did this activity using Track Changes impact your thinking as you developed your collaborative summary?
  • How did this process help you identify, apply, and understand the content?
  • How did Track Changes help you synthesize the two summaries?
  • How would your students benefit from this approach to summarizing?
 
Activity Set II: Summary Frames

This jigsaw style activity will help you get a general perspective of all six summary frames and a more in-depth understanding of one specific frame.

Follow the directions in the handout below. Once you have posted your description and reflection on a specific summary frame, you will learn about the other summary frames by reading comments other participants have posted to this forum. So, be SURE that you take time to read them.


Step 1) Review all 6 frames presented on pages 34-42 in Classroom Instruction that Works. Select one to focus on in more detail and read the information about that summary frame carefully in the book (pages 34-42).

Step 2) Post a brief discussion of the summary frame you studied. Be sure to include:

  • the summary frame you investigated,
  • the key points related to this frame,
  • the type of texts most appropriate for this frame
  • develop an illustrative example that would show how you might use this frame with your students (include grade level, content area, specific lesson/standard/skills, etc.)
    (Note: We suggest you use the illustrative example given in the handbook as a model for the example you create.)
  • ways students might benefit from using this summary frame.

 
 
Lab Activity: Summarizing Resources


Step 1)
Identify a concept or skill that is difficult for your students to grasp or a lesson/unit you want to improve.
 


Step 2) Review at least 3 of the strategies, resources, tools, or lesson plans (links below).
 


Step 3) Select one and apply/adapt this resource, tool, or lesson plan for your students OR create a new lesson, template, or tool to use with your students.

Reflection

After you have reviewed at least 3 of the strategies, resources, tools, or lesson plans, select one that you can use in your classroom. Post a brief description in NiceNet.org. Make sure that you include your the following information in your posting:

  • Resource description
  • Content standard/skill addressed
  • How you will use it
  • Benefit for students or colleagues
  • URL (web link), file attachment, or lesson plan

Step 4) Read and respond to at least 2 comments others have posted.
 

 Book Report Alternative: Examining Story Elements Using a Comic Strip
 Book Report Alternative: Summary, Symbol, and Analysis in Bookmark
 GIST: A Summarizing Strategy for All Content Areas
 Hunt for Current Events
 QUIP: Questions into Paragraphs
 Scaling Back to Essentials: Scaffolding Summarization With Fishbone Mapping
 Summarization Hotlist
 Summarizing (Reading Quest)
 That's Not Fair
 Romeo and Juliet Web Guide
 Who do you think you are?
 For Rent
 Chosing One Word: Summarizing Shel Silverstein's "Sick"
 Illuminations: Picture This

Reciprocal Teaching Resources

 
 Reciprocal Teaching Readers Theater
 Reciprocal Revision: Making Peer Feedback Meaningful
 Using Student-Centered Comprehension Strategies with Elie Wiesel's "Night"

 
 
Activity Set III: Note Taking Strategies

Step 1) Learn about note taking strategies by viewing the "Note Taking" Power Point below.

Step 2) Note Taking Resources Lab - Explore several of the web links below and think about how you could use the note taking strategy or model in your classroom. Then select one or two note taking examples to share on the Note Taking Strategies Forum in NiceNet.org.

Step 3)
Return to the Note Taking PowerPoint after you have posted your thoughts on the Forum.

 
Note Taking PPT
 Note Taking PPT
 Note Taking Strategies Audio PPT
 
Note Taking Organizers - All pdf files
 3 Column Notes
 Cause and Effect
 Character Map
 Classification Notes
 Cornell Notes
 Event Map
 Flow Chart Model
 Inference Notes
 Prereading Notes
 Pyramid Notes
 Q Notes
Note Taking Web Links
 Citation Machine
 Cmap Tools
 English Companion
 Graphic Organizers
 Kentucky Kids Research Portal
 Notemaking Layouts
 Parallel Note Taking
 Power Writing
 Preparing to Take Notes
 Research Building: Notes, Quotes, and Fact Fragments
 Research Helper
 Strategies for Reading Comprehension:Making Sense in Social Studies
 Taking Notes in Class
 Tools for Reading, Writing, & Thinking

 
 
Activity Set IV: Note Taking Templates
Watch the "Note Taking Templates" audio PPT to see examples of Kidspiration and Inspiration note taking templates.
 
 Note Taking Templates Audio PPT
Step 1) Open the Kids_Isnp_Templates file linked below (or refer to the handout). This handout file lists many of the available templates within the Kidspiration and Inspiration programs. Explore these templates and any addition templates in other stubject areas.

Step 2) Adapt a template or create one of your own design to use with students in your classroom. Save this template to your desktop.

Step 3) Post a message on the Note Taking Template Forum below explaining how you will use this template with students. Attach the Inspiration/Kidspiration template to the posting. Refer to the "Getting Started with Moodle" handout for directions for posting, reading, and replying to comments in the FORUM areas.

REFLECTION: Use these reflective questions to help you describe how you will use the template with students.
 
  • In what grade and subject area will you introduce the template?
  • How will this note taking format help students to take useful notes?
  • What features did you include to guide the students and help them to organize information?
  • What will you do in the classroom to provide opportunities for students to be successful note takers.

 
 
Activity Set V: Electronic Note Taking Tools
Handhelds as Note Taking Tools

You might want to use Inspiration or Kidspiration to take notes as you explore "handheld devices" as note taking tools:

 

 


Digital Cameras and Camcorders as Note Taking Tools


 
• View at least 2 different videos listed below and review the accompanying lesson plans. Select from the following examples or search for examples from the Apple Learning Interchange.

 
o Video clip of kindergartener students using digital cameras for taking notes about insects at http://doe.state.in.us/media/video/classroomtech01.html

 
o Video clip of middle school students using video to take notes on interviews with their parents at
http://ali.apple.com/ali_sites/ali/exhibits/1000908/

 
o Video clip of secondary students using iMovie to gather data on speed at http://ali.apple.com/ali_sites/ali/exhibits/1000527/

 
o Search the Apple Learning Interchange at http://ali.apple.com/ali_sites/ali/index.html
 
Handheld Devices Forum

Now that you have seen some examples of how electronic devices are being used as note taking tools, think about your own classroom. How might students in your classroom use PDAs, video or digital cameras as note taking tools. What would the advantages and disadvantages? What effect would this strategy have on students ability to take notes? Share your thoughts on the Handheld Devices Forum in NiceNet.org.