When you are preparing for a test or need to retain information for the long term, the Note Summary graphic organizer is perfect for writing a more formalized summary. Review your completed Note-Taking and Note Review forms while you write your summary.
Note Review
Once you have taken notes with the Topic Note-Taking forms, you can use them to frequently review the content. Review builds comprehension.
How to Review Your Notes:
- Take out your completed Topic Note-Taking forms.
- From the information, create questions and then answer them on the Note Review form.
- Write a short paragraph summarizing your answers.
Textbook Note Taking Forms
Taking notes from a textbook can sometimes be difficult. Where do you start and what are the important ideas and their supporting details. Use these graphic organizers to help.
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- Choose note-taking graphic organizers based on which topic or medium you are taking notes from.
- Scan the textbook section by noting the topics and keywords in bold print.
- Write down the key points (they are often in bold print or italics) and their definitions.
- Read the paragraph or section.
- Think: what is this telling me about?
- Write the important points in your own words.
- List any pictures or charts.
- Color-code your notes by category or topic by using colored pencils, highlighters of different colors or highlighter tape. Color-coding improves retention by 25%.
- Read your notes aloud to review them.
- Try walking around,
pedalling a stationary bike, or sitting on an exercise ball and bouncing while reviewing your notes. This added movement helps to channel any excess energy while you focus on the learning task.
Descriptive Paragraphs
Descriptive paragraphs are used quite often. Anytime you are telling someone about an event, you are describing it. Anytime you tell someone about an object or a new shiny thing, you are describing it. Use the following template to easily write a descriptive paragraph
Hamburger Essay
Sometimes, essays seem like they will be impossible to write. It helps to fi
Formal Essay
This is a more advanced form for outlining essays. When you have a clear outline of your essay, you make sure that each of your points serve a purpose. It is okay for this to be a working document as you piece together your essay. It helps to complete this outline before starting your essay and then reference it as you actually write the essay.
Hamburger Paragraph
Compare writing a paragraph to
Daily Reminders
Use these for your daily reminders. Choose the form that works best for you. One has the time frame listed on the side, and the other is free-form.
Test Evaluation
Test Evaluation
Immediately after you have taken a test, fill out this test evaluation form. This will help you gauge how well you did. Then, before you fill out your Test Study Guide for your next test, refer to this test evaluation form to think about what you may need to do differently in preparing for the new test.
Test Study Guide
Test Study Guides
Create a study guide as you prepare for an upcoming test to review the material you have learned and to study for the test. Transfer your notes and any homework related to the material that will be on the test to the forms. Color-code your notes with colored pencils, highlighters
of different colors, or markers with the same colors you used while taking notes. Brainstorm possible test questions and answer them.
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Double-check the format of the test early on (multiple choice, question/answer, essay, etc.) and ask any test format related questions.