The World Studies Notebook or WSN is a portfolio of a student's work in this class. The majority of the classwork is done in the WSN. As students learn new ideas, they use several types of writing and innovative graphic techniques to record culturally important topics/ideas. Students then use critical-thinking skills to organize information and ponder historical questions, which promotes creative and independent thinking. In the WSN, key ideas are underlined in color or highlighted; Venn diagrams show relationships; cartoon sketches show people and events; timelines illustrate chronology; indentations and bullets indicate subordination; arrows show cause-and-effect relationships… Students develop graphical thinking skills and are often more motivated to explore and express high-level concepts.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE?

1. To become a critical, creative thinker and writer
2. Involve students in “making sense” of their notes visually
3. Develop student nonfiction reading and note-taking skills
4. Teach students different “approaches to learning” that will prepare them for success in high school and beyond.
5. To strengthen organizational skills