1. Interactive Notebooks
What Are They—And What’s the Point?
How to Set Up Your Notebook for Theatre Class

2. 9/7

3. Interactive Notebooks
Are a place to record information
Help you process ideas and make connections
Help you become independent, creative thinkers and communicators

4. Why? Taking notes ≠ learning material
This note-taking is more active; active = learning
Organized note-taking is an important career skill
Allows you to be playful and creative
Reminder to absorb ideas

5. How will it help me? Condense and summarize information
Distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information
Compare/contrast information
Make connections
Collect presentation ideas for later
Portfolio of learning

6. What do I need? A spiral notebook OR A 3-ring binder and lined paper
Highlighters
Colored pencils or pens or markers
Scissors, tape and/or glue

7. Two Sides of the Notebook
The Right Side = information from class and work; is teacher directed; includes testable or quizzable items
The Left Side = connections you make; questions you have; is student directed; includes interpretations and responses to learning

8. Title Page First page (or the front cover)
Write This Down!
First page (or the front cover)
Title of class, class period, student’s name, symbols or pictures related to course

9. Table of Contents 1-2 Pages at front of notebook with name of activity
Write This Down!
1-2 Pages at front of notebook with
name of activity
date of activity
page number

10. The Right Side (Acquiring)
Write This Down!
Record notes from:
class and group discussion and lecture
reading
video or audio
Communication terms to know
Assignments
Peer Evaluations of Performances

11. The Left Side (Processing)
Write This Down!
Reading responses and journals
Graphic organizers and diagrams
Pictures, cartoons, songs, poems
Connected or related ideas
Reflections, quotes, perspectives
Mnemonic devices, memory aids

13. What are examples of left-side work?
Illustrated definitions Inner Monologues Cause/effect charts List of Tactics Descriptions of Given Circumstances Personal responses Concept web Connect to today Drawn/Clip art Comic strips Venn diagram Self-Reflective Response

14. Handouts
Handouts should be hole punched or glued/taped into your notebook on the appropriate side (right or left)
All must be dated, numbered, and included in Table of Contents

15. Extra Effort
Illustrate your notes with pictures of literary figures, or
Map sketches, or
Cartoons, or
Color and highlighting, etc.
Organized notes and subtopics

16. Is this for a grade?
YES!
Collected every unit and spot checked for specific assignments
Evaluated on: Correctness, Critical Thinking, Completeness, Organization
Work must be original

17. What if I’m absent? Notebook assignments MUST be made up!
Check with me (not during class)
Check with classmates
Check with Cooperescue’s Notebook