Note-Taking Expectations

Unless specified otherwise, all homework notes must be handwritten in your notebook.
Research shows that writing by hand improves focus, comprehension, memory retention, and overall reading and writing skills.

How to Take Notes:

• Follow the guided reading questions.
  
  

• Use your textbook (or, sometimes, assigned reading or video material) for all notes.
  
  

• Write in your own words whenever possible:
  
  

  1. Read the entire chapter or article first.
     
     

  2. Identify unfamiliar words—look up or translate them into your native language.
     
     

  3. Re-read in sections, finding information relevant to each question.
     
     

  4. Summarize key points in your own words, or copy only the most essential details. Definitions can be also be copied .
     
     

• Do not copy entire paragraphs.
  
  

• Follow the Question–Answer order and write out each question in your notebook.  Do not forget to number the qustions.
  
  

• Some questions will need short answers; others require multiple points and details.
  
  

Good notes mean you can:

• Retell the entire chapter in the correct sequence of events.
  
  

• Clarify key details when asked.
  
  

Prohibited Sources

Notes will not be accepted (score = 0) if:

• They are directly copied from my Google Slides presentations
  (You may add or correct details from the slides during in-class review)
  
  

• They are copied from Google or generated by any AI tool.
  
  

Grading

Your notes will be assessed in two ways:

1. Random Notebook Checks (0–10 pts)

Average of all checks throughout the semester will be entered into Powerschool under the name  of "Random Note-Taking Assessment"
 

Rubric:

• 10–9 pts – All questions answered thoroughly, important details included, expectations followed; minor inaccuracies allowed.
  
  

• 8–7 pts – Most questions answered well; some details missing or 1–2 unanswered questions; most expectations followed.
  
  

• 6 pts – Attempt made, but answers lack key details or relevance; many missing answers or expectations not met.
  
  

• 5–0 pts – Poor quality; most answers missing; expectations ignored.
  
  

Point deductions:

• No chapter title: –0.5 pt

• No questions written: –1 pt

• No question numbers written: -1pt

• Messy handwriting / difficult to read: –1 pt (Notes may be rejected if there’s no improvement after reminders)
  
  

Lateness penalty: Class & Homework Policy – Penalty for Lateness

2. Open-Notes “Lucky Draw” NTAs (0–5 pts)

• One random question to be answered.

• Given every 1–3 weeks.