Cornell Notes 101

  What do you know about Cornell Notes?   On a scale of 1 to 10, how often do your students use Cornell notes in your class? Quickwrite Questions:

  Developed in 1949 at Cornell University by Walter Pauk.   Designed in response to frustration over student test scores.   Meant to be easily used as a test study guide.

To help take organized notes To help identify keywords and concepts from a lecture To help scan notes to locate important information

Divide the paper into three sections. Draw a vertical line from top to bottom that is two inches from the left margin and stops three inches from the bottom of the page. Underneath this, draw a horizontal line the width of the paper. Write on one side of the paper only.

Document Student name, course, and date should be at the top of each page. Write a general title for the lecture or page/section title from the text.

Write Notes Write all notes on the right side of the page. Be sure to skip one line between ideas and several lines between topics. Mark ideas that go together with an asterisk.

Review and Clarify Review the notes soon after the lecture or reading the text. Make sure notes are clear and that the information makes sense.

Pull out main ideas, topics, terms, places, dates, etc. Use the topics and information from the right column of notes to identify the main ideas of the lecture/reading. Write the main ideas in the left column, matching it with the details.

Recite & Summarize Covering the NOTES section, attempt to recite an explanation of the words in the KEY POINTS section. Refer to the NOTES section when you have difficulty. Reciting the entries helps in the learning and synthesis of the material. Write a summary at the bottom of the page. Mention all the key points in the summary.

Study Review the notes on a regular basis. Use all sections of Cornell notes to study for assessments.

EXAMPLEEXAMPLE

Example #2

Quality Rubric ItemExemplaryProficientBasicBelow Basic Notes Content Notes include ALL the important information and no unimportant information Notes include ALL important information; there is only a little unimportant info recorded Notes include most of the important information, but some is missing; notes may include too much detail. Notes include less than 70% of the important information; notes are sketchy; there may be too much detail. Notes Format Notes use bolding, underlining, italics, abbreviations, highlights and bullets in a full outline format. Notes use bolding, underlining, italics, abbreviations, highlighting and bullets; a semi- outline format organizes the information. Notes have some abbreviations, bullets, etc., but there is little organization. Notes are random. Connections Connections help clarify notes; they include key words and vocabulary; they organize the notes into questions and answers; they relate the notes to other learning. Connections help clarify notes; they include key words and vocabulary; they organize the notes into questions answers. Connections organize the notes into questions and answers. Connections are random or not filled out. Summary The summary provides the 5 most important points and lists questions yet to be answered. The summary provides the 5 most important points. The summary lists at least 3 major points. The summary lists 1-2 major points or is not filled out.

  Think about the reading Consider how the parts relate to the whole; how the text relates to previous ideas Create questions about new words/ terms, why emphasized points are important Examine what you have learned from visuals

  Look for the pattern in elements like chapter /subsection headings, summary points, graphics   Know where to find the index and glossary Be Aware of Textbook Organization

  Become familiar with the font, symbols, borders, graphics, colors, and layout that highlight main ideas or terms   Be alert to the writer's goal: highlight ideas/ references /opinions that seem significant to their point of view Use the text style to identify important points

  Include headings, key terms, & graphics   Take down only the important ideas: brief, but clear   Summarize in your own words   Use symbols to highlight for review   Use textbook review questions to develop study questions Take notes while reading

  Identify main ideas   Fill in details for better understanding   Identify unclear information and/or questions - collaborate for answers   Delete unnecessary information   Review note organization; add symbols or rewrite   Write a summary Review textbook notes

  Cover the right side of your notes; review and answer study questions from the left using the right side as an answer key   Quiz yourself out loud   Cover the right side with blank paper; write out answers to the left column study questions Make use of the format

  Write summaries of the most important material in the summary/reflection section   Write a quiz for others using notes; exchange and correct   Write anticipated test questions beyond those already in the left-hand column and write answers Write!

  Look over notes frequently to keep information and questions still unanswered fresh in mind   Recite information from notes Review

Handy Tools for Cornell Notes   ips/General/Word_Templates_and_Cornell _Note_Taking ips/General/Word_Templates_and_Cornell _Note_Taking ips/General/Word_Templates_and_Cornell _Note_Taking

R ead the material and take notes. A sk yourself what are the main ideas. P ut the main ideas and details in your own words.