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The Focused Note Taking Process
The Focused Note Taking Process is a note-taking strategy to help students with note-taking. It is a learning strategy that requires students to revisit their notes routinely, which helps to solidify learning. The Focused Note Taking Process is divided into 5 phases:
Phase 1 - Taking Notes
During this phase, students create an Essential Question/Purpose, select the best format to use for their notes, and take notes by paraphrasing from their sources.
Phase 2 - Processing Notes
During this phase, students revisit their notes and can highlight, underline, circle, add, delete, chunk, and reorder their notes depending on their personal note-taking style.
Phase 3 - Connecting Your Thinking
During this phase, students revisit their notes by asking questions about their notes and making connections to prior learning, other classes, or real world examples.
Phase 4 - Summarizing and Reflecting
During this phase, students write a one paragraph summary or reflection about their notes by looking back and answering the Essential Question they created in Phase 1.
Phase 5 - Applying Your Learning
During this phase, students apply their learning by using the notes for their intended purpose (homework, labs, studying for tests/quizzes, etc.)
More information about the Focused Note Taking Process can be found here.
The Focused Note Taking Formats
The Focused Note Taking Process allows for student freedom in selecting the appropriate format for what they are learning about. Formats include:
Cornell Notes
Two and Three Column Notes
Mind Maps
Graphic Organizers
Interactive Notebooks
All of these formats are taught in the AVID class.
Resources:
Focused Notes Template Option 2
Cornell Notes Template -- Graph
Using Focused Notes with Interactive Notebooks - Example
Detailed Focused Notes Instructions
If you have questions regarding Focused Note Taking, please contact your student's AVID teacher.
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