Interactive Notebooks An innovative strategy for students and teachers

What is an Interactive Notebook? Interactive Notebooks are a tool to strengthen student learning of curriculum (the input) through increased student participation (the output). Simply put, more bang for the buck !

Why use Interactive Notebooks? The Student Perspective Claims ownership & responsibility Chooses ways to process information and gets to reflect on what’s been learned. Includes more learning styles. Develops higher-level thinking skills. Organizes learning over time. Work doesn’t get lost!

Why use Interactive Notebooks? The Teacher Perspective Make learning more democratic and inclusive. Motivate participation. Self-evaluate curriculum critically. Monitor student progress easily. Reduce time spent evaluating student work. Get ‘real’ student feedback on each unit. Parent-teacher communication tool.

Materials 8 1/2 x 11 Spiral Notebook (min 80 pg) Pen and pencil with eraser Glue sticks/tape/rubber cement Colored pencils or pens Highlighters Scissors

The Fundamentals of the Notebook Page Numbers Title Pages Tables of Contents Unit Introduction or Cover page Input vs. Output AND Right vs. Left sides Evaluation using a holistic rubric Regular student & parent feedback.

Joan's Plant Sample Left Side Activity Joan was a manufacturer. She lived far from her plant. She saw strange puddles around her plant, but paid no attention. Why did she die ?

Examples of Left Side processing

Other Helpful Hints Keep a skeleton sample. Provide feedback immediately by checking a few notebooks in first few days of class. Graded work can be added after it is returned, just have students leave a labeled space. Occasional open notebook quizzes inspire great notebooks. Share excellent student work often!

FAQ’s Do all students have the same pages or is each student’s different? What if I’m not sure if the work goes on the left side or right side? How do I include journal prompts? How much of the grade is this? How often do I collect notebooks? How do I include lab work? Where is the W • I • C • R?

Some Closing Thoughts “ I can explain it to you, but I can’t understand it for you” Anonymous "I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think." Socrates “This notebook really helped me learn”…Helix Student