Cornell Notes

Type of Literacy Strategy:

Reading Comprehension (during reading, and post-reading) and Writing (informal)

Reading Level:

All Secondary Reading Levels; Based on how the Cornell Notes are used in the class, students at lower reading levels or ELs might do better with questions/main ideas given to them or pointed out as lecture/lesson is going on.

Prep Time:

2-5 minutes to hand out Cornell Notes sheet.

Cornell Notes in Use -

• Record: During the lecture, use the note-taking column to record the lecture using telegraphic sentences.
• Questions: As soon after class as possible, students formulate questions based on the notes in the right-hand column. Writing questions helps to clarify meanings, reveal relationships, establish continuity, and strengthen memory. Also, the writing of questions sets up a perfect stage for exam-studying later.
• Recite: Cover the note-taking column with a sheet of paper. Then, students looking at the questions or cue-words in the question and cue column only, say aloud, in their own words, the answers to the questions, facts, or ideas indicated by the cue-words.
• Reflect: Students reflect on the material by asking yourself questions, for example: “What’s the significance of these facts? What principle are they based on? How can I apply them? How do they fit in with what I already know?
• Review: Students should spend at least ten minutes every week reviewing all of their previous notes. If they do, they’ll retain a lot for current use and exams