My eldest daughter is in Sixth grade and has a LOT of trouble taking notes. Namely the school hasn’t taught her how. Granted I shouldn’t rely on the school to do all the work, so I’m trying a few different techniques and ideas. First I’m emphasizing the importance of taking notes. For some reason the teachers (at her school) do not lecture as much as I remember mine did and give comprehensive study guides for each test. I think this is due to the fact that the teachers are pressured into getting the kids to do well on the standardized tests to maintain funding. So note taking is not emphasized. Read More Below...

My teachers taught me how to take notes and for me it was VITAL. Note taking helps students and even in the workplace in several ways.

Written record of what was said

Fact check and make sure what you think you heard was what was said. Memory does NOT always serve you well.

Additional study materials

The study guide covers everything on the test but it may not cover all the details that will help with essays and extra credit questions.

Reinforcement of memory

Hearing and writing the same idea and fact will vastly help recall later on.

Demonstration of interest

It’s HARD being a teacher and much harder when you don’t think students care. Note taking is an visible example of a students interest and determination to do well in class.

Good notes accomplish the above points by quickly and efficiently recording the KEY concepts and details of the subject, organize the information in a uniform manner and provide a way to index and retrieve the material. One of the proven methods of this is using the Cornell Note Taking System. It’s rather efficient at helping take notes and providing a strong base for good study habits.

The method that my daughter and I came up with is based on this method. First divide up the paper in to three sections like below. Notebook paper works really well as it has that vertical line on the left side of the paper. Near the bottom draw a simple line across about 2/3 to 3/4 down the page.

NOW how to use this note system. First at the top of the page write the subject, date and even the teacher (especially if its a substitute or guest) and NUMBER the page (just in case you take out the pages and they blow around the kitchen when someone opens a window)

Then in the large space write your notes. You do NOT have to write down EVERY word. Shorthand and symbols like @ and & can help speed things along. Leave blank lines even doodle. It’s a free for all penmanship does NOT count you are the only one that needs to understand what you wrote. But GET THE FACTS!

In the left hand column (if you want you can use a right hand column) put codes about the notes you are taking such as:

• D for date,
• L for Location
• P for Person
• E for event
• G for group
• ? for ask the teacher later.
• ! to indicate that the teacher said that this was VERY important or you feel it’s important.

You can use the above codes OR make up your own and even combine them.
During the class don’t write in the bottom area of the page that is for home. At the end of class or if allowable if there are questions ASK THEM. If not at the end of class try to talk to the teacher later that day or the next.

Finally at home or in a study hall later that day. Write a summary of the notes in the bottom of the page. Make SURE that you include and cover the facts especially the items you’ve flagged as important. This provides a review of the matter while it’s somewhat fresh in your head helping you remember it later. Also if you missed writing something you MIGHT still remember it. Make this summary neat and legible. This accomplishes three things first you can read it easily, second others can read it and finally it’s practice with penmanship(an underrated skill I sorely lack).

Now to put things into practice. Most kids hate to practice schoolwork (my eldest included) so I decided to use the brain drain called TV to help. I’m having her take notes on cartoon episodes. Most episodes are just under 15 minutes long (2 per 1/2 hour) so it won’t kill her. This then should help not only with the skill of taking notes but also with teaching her brain that taking notes is GOOD…. Trying to implement this method with subjects she’s already not happy taking just will increase the negative emotion associated with taking notes.

Granted this is an adaptation of many other methods. However, my daughter is EXCITED to try this method and hopes it will work. Which has me very happy as I know that note taking while optional in many of the classes she has now will be VITAL in the years to come as she goes into High School and college and possibly later on in life.