Note-taking strategies and techniques for Reading: Ninja Mind Control: Note-taking strategies and techniques for Reading: SQ3R

Why should Ninjas take notes while reading? It is essential to develop effective note-taking skills to ensure that you get the most out of the the time you spend reading. Good notes can help organize your ideas and keep you focused. Good notes can help you easily locate information. As reading requirements get more extensive, quality note-taking will save you time. Work SMARTER, not harder.

Ninjas: Riddle me this... Imagine I were to give each of you a 500-piece puzzle. However, only ONE of you gets the puzzle in the original box. The rest of you get your puzzles in a brown paper bags. Who do you think will finish the puzzle first?

Of course, the person with the box! If you pick up a textbook and just start reading, with no background information or previewing strategies, it is like you are trying to solve a puzzle without looking at the box!

SQ3R structures our learning experiences so we do this What is SQ3R? A Reading/Study formula designed to help increase the retention of written information. It consists of 5 steps: Survey, Question, Read, Recite, and Review Cognitive (Study mental processes) psychologists have found that we learn most effectively and efficiently when we: First: Build a framework that makes sense to us Second: Fill in the details SQ3R structures our learning experiences so we do this

SQ3R Step 1: SURVEY Before you read, survey the text This is the first step and it should help you to determine the "big picture" ideas. Survey the text to learn about how the authors have structured the content to let us know what is important. Read and look at: the table of contents, introduction, chapter summaries, titles, headings, and subheadings. Review task/questions or teacher-made study guide.

SQ3R Step 2: Questions Ask questions while you are surveying Why do we want to have questions as we read? - Questions create interest and make use active learners. - Questions facilitate long-term memory formation. To form a memory, connections must be made. You can do this by: - Writing questions down. This signals the brain to remember the information. Ask yourself: What did my teacher say about this chapter or subject? What do I already know about this subject?

SQ3R Step 3 & 4: READ & RECITE Actively read each section and recite Read each naturally formed unit of the text. Look for the answers to questions you initially raised. Take note of all underlined, italicized, and bold printed words or phrases. Say, in your own words, what you just read. If you can't, you did not adequately understand what you just read. Go back and re-read. If you still do not understand, ask your teacher or a classmate for help.

SQ3R Step 5: REVIEW After reading and reciting all of the text: Take the time to do a quick review. This is valuable because you can look at the big picture while sorting facts into place on your outline. Day One: Write important questions in the left-hand margin. Highlight important information. Day Two: Re-read important information. Develop a mnemonic device for information that needs to be memorized. Days Three, Four, and Five: Make flash cards. Alternate between your flash cards and your notes to test yourself on the questions in the margin. Make additional flash cards if necessary. Weekend: Make Study Sheets or Mind Maps. Review the information.

Steps to getting started... Survey the text. Ask questions and write them down. Actively read the text and review each section. Review the entire text when you are done. Add to your notes if needed.

NINJA: GO! Time to try SQ3R! Take a SQ3R Study Guide sheet and try the SQ3R method while reading this article: Get More Out of Google. Hint: This is the Ninja trick we will be learning today! How to be NINJA GOOGLERS! Lastly, please complete the Study Skills checklist. Reminder: Bring snacks next week