Note Taking, Economics and the Bill of Rights

Today we are going to look at note taking as a learning strategy and then apply it to economics and the Bill of Rights. But first lets watch this video on taking notes. Which note taking strategy will you choose to use?

As we watch this video, think about how economics is more than just money. As a student the economy of your time and your attention are much more important. How can you use this to be better able to manage your time and attention better? Maybe a good note taking strategy could help!

Finally, let's look at the First Amendment to the US Constitution. What rights does it guarantee that the federal government, and the states as well, cannot take away from us? How secure do you think these rights are today?

EQ:

• What are some good note taking strategies?
• How do economics affect individual choice?
• What are the Bill of Rights?

Explore:

• Taking Notes Crash Course (8:50)
•  Intro to Economics Crash Course (12:08)
• The Amendments Explained Hip Hughes

Explain:

• How are you going to take notes?
• How are choices limited in an economic system?
• What freedoms are guaranteed by the Bill of Rights?

Evaluate:

•  Write notes over the videos

Taking Notes in Science

One of the fun things I have incorporated into our classroom this year is using our desks and tables as dry erase boards. The students are having fun writing with markers on items they are usually not allowed to. They have more enthusiasm to write the notes and I can easily see what they are writing. The notes taken here are from a video they were watching on water. The students learned about biotic and abiotic factors and were trying to identify as many as possible from the video.

This lesson is part of our ecosystem unit. The students are working toward designing a viable ecosystem in our class aquarium. Here is a link to the lesson plans. 

Using Biographies to Practice Cornell Note Taking: Benjamin Franklin: Citizen of the World

Photo found at Wikimedia Commons.

Today we are going to practice our note-taking skills. Specifically we are using Cornell notes to learn more about Benjamin Franklin. We will be looking at three periods in Franklin's life; before, during, and after the American Revolution. After each period we will compile and summarize the "big picture" from the information we gather. This should be an interesting and fun way to practice note-taking skills.

Class watching video while taking notes.

Note Taking in Class: Why It Needs to be Taught

I am sitting at my desk right now, watching my students struggle. After six months of modeling note taking skills, I have now turned them loose to create their own notes. They have been taught several different styles of note taking including Cornell notes, formal notes, and webbing. They have options of using paper and note cards or anything else they think will help.

The assignment is for them to read a section in their science textbook. They are supposed to take notes and when finished they can use their notes to answer questions on a worksheet. The focus is not on the content, it is on being able to identify important information and write them down in a useful manner.

Although it may sound mean, I am taking some pleasure in seeing my "better" students struggle. When things are easy for them, they don't learn what it is like to have to put forth effort.

When they have finished their notes and answered the questions on the worksheet I will have them review the questions they missed. It is important that they reflect on what they were successful with and what they need to work more on. I will post some of their reflections later.