Cornell+Notes

= Cornell Notes =

** This is a staple if you are on an AVID campus. So...what are Cornell Notes? **
Cornell Notes is a system developed by a professor (Walter Pauk) at Cornell University. It has become widely used in AVID methodologies. Many schools with AVID programs try to incorporate Cornell Notes school-wide. Students have a main section on their paper dedicated to notes, but they section off other areas for extra processing, key ideas, summaries, etc. It allows students to interact more with the information they put on paper.


 * What is the benefit of using them? **
 * Quick, easy, and organized system
 * A standard for holding students accountable in note-taking
 * Built in sections for extra processing of information
 * A system set up for easy use in studying
 * Increased rigor in a normally routine process that helps students remember material better


 * How do you have kids set them up? **

In the first week, I go through the process and my procedures for the notes, and I lay out for the students what I expect. The basic format is easy (see tutorial and video) but you can adapt the basic format to focus on the little extras that you want your students to do. (//If you are an AVID campus, please check with your AVID Coordinator to see what the requirements are to meet their standards. A few years ago, they added a requirement of listing an objective at the top.//)

I have students measure two to three finger's width from the left red margin line. I don't allow them to use rulers. Instead, I have them fold the page and use the fold for their line. That is a personal choice, but I found it took too much time to have them get get/borrow/share rulers. I have them draw a verticle line along the fold from the top blue line and I stop three to five lines from the bottom, depending on what rule of paper they use.

Next, they draw a horizontal line line across the top line of the paper and across the line they stopped on at the bottom. They put the title and their objective above the top line. We use "learning targets" on our campus, so their objective will be in line with the day's Learning Target. Below the bottom line, they are to summarize their notes. I give them a visual guide to tape into their ISN, along with Costa's Levels of Questioning stems to help them formulate questions.

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 * Easy, visual tutorial: The Learning Toolbox
 * Video Tutorial for setting up basic notes


 * How do you manage them in the notebook? **

This is, I think, the hardest part of Cornell notes. Notes need varying amounts of space depending on size of the student's handwriting, the rule of paper they use, etc. Some people like students to stay on the same page. Some people want Cornell notes on the left side only, meaning notes will be broken up over pages and may not having a corresponding right page assignment. I find most of my colleagues have the hardest time managing this section and this is where they give up on the ISN. I will give a number of options that I know of, but you must decide what fits best for you. Don't give up. Keep trying different things until you find what works for you. Often we come up with new methods this way.
 * Keep notes short enough so they will fit on one page
 * Have students tape extended pages and fold them up
 * Have students tape additional pages over to make a booklet-like set of notes
 * Have students take notes on template (eliminates need to set up pages but requires copies) Have students take notes and then move on to the next page until they are done. Everyone will be on different pages, but this can be reflected in the table of contents.
 * Any other ideas? Email me: janice.fischbach@gmail.com - Put ISN Wiki in subject line