Two-column+notes

Two-Column Note Taking Description A two-column note taking strategy can be used with text, lectures, or when viewing media presentations to help students organize their thinking about specific content. It is sometimes called a double-entry journal when used with fictional text or when the focus is on a student’s personal response to the text instead of on “taking notes.”

Purpose Use during and after reading to: Create a user-friendly system to record important ideas, related details, and the relationships between concepts Help students remember important points and deepen their understanding of content Help students organize information and thoughts for thinking, writing, studying, or presenting

Directions 1. Students divide their paper into two columns with a 1:2 ratio. 2. Mark the columns with the appropriate headings.

Ideas for possible headings: Fiction: Column 1 Column 2 Passage Response Character Decision Quote Importance

Nonfiction: Column 1 Column 2 Keyword Definition Main idea Detail Cause Effect Concept Example Issue Connection to own life

3.Model how to do the following: In the left-hand column, write a sentence, quote, or key word from the selection along with the page number. In the right-hand column, write the definition, give an example, make a connection to your life. 4. Provide the specific words, quotes, etc., in the left-hand column that you want students to respond to while reading/listening. 5. Have students complete two-column notes independently, making sure the headings fit the reading/purpose for reading.

Extensions Students share their responses with others and solicit feedback. or to take notes from films or lectures.

Two-Column Note Taking Content Examples

English Language Arts Elementary: Help students understand inferential thinking by using two column note taking to identify character’s feelings using clues from their words or behaviors that hint at their feelings.

Character’s feelings (such as happy, angry, sad) Clues that show how the character feels (such as words, appearance, or behavior) Pierre is very frustrated He kicked the dirt after dropping the ball. He frowned when his coach said he’d get better with practice.

Middle School: Have students use two-column note taking as they read excerpts from The Odyssey to understand how Odysseus’ internal conflicts related to his external conflicts.

Odysseus’ internal conflicts Odysseus’ external conflict He refused to run from Cyclops because he wanted to see the caveman. His refusal got his men angry because they wanted to make a run for it.

High School: After reading a collection of short stories from South America, help students connect to very different life styles than they’ve experienced in the USA

Quote and page number Connection / Question “The white man stares until I lower my eyes. Well he said” p. 18 The white man demands respect from Les. But not from his own boys. Is it all about color?

Mathematics Elementary: When teaching estimating, have the students record their estimate in the left column before solving the problem, then write the exact answer in the right column.

Estimated answer to the problem Correct answer to the problem 93 + 48 = estimated 90 + 50 = 140 93 + 48 = 141

Middle School: Over time, help students take two column notes from the text readings, showing them how to change the headers according to the specific content.

Formula Definition and/or Example Function Graph

High School: When reviewing how to simplify expressions with equivalent fractions, have students keep two column notes in class so they have examples while doing homework.

Algebraic expression Simplified expression 3a2x 6a ax 2 16 ab3c2 24ab2c5 2b 3c3

Science Elementary: Help students learn to take two column notes using a mix of text and graphics as they read an illustrated article on environmental organisms. . Biotic factors (living things) Abiotic factors (non living things and factors) Water lilies Soil Frogs Light Fish Temperature

Middle School: After reading text chapter and completing the related lab, have students keep a weekly journal to record their ideas of how science changes cause varied effects and reactions.

Cause Effect/Reaction Heating fluid in a closed container Pressure builds up and the fluid boils over Using a container that is not heat resistant It may melt or crack when used over heat Using tongs or test tube clamps Prevents you from burning your fingers

High School: When studying states of matter in a beginning chemistry class, have students keep a two column notes journal of examples and characteristics of each state.

State of matter Example and characteristics Solid Gold – holds its own shape, high density and is not affected by pressure Liquid Water – adopts shape of its container, high density, not affected by pressure Gas Nitrogen – expands to fill its container, low density and is affected by pressure Plasma Sun’s Interior– exists at high temperatures, low density, depends on pressure

Social Studies Elementary: When introducing facts and opinions, create a two column note taking chart to help students understand the difference.

Fact Opinion

Middle School: Have students keep a reflection journal throughout the course to summarize the contributions of famous people throughout history.

Historical Figure Legacy of this person Albert Einstein Despite not graduating from high school, he was a true intellectual who understood and stated scientific theories that many adults don’t understand

High School: Have students research and compare the USA civil war with a 20th or 21st century war to help them understand people’s responses to war policy and tactics.

USA Civil War Vietnam War Veterans on both sides were respected after the war, both immediately and long afterwards. USA soldiers who fought in Vietnam were not given much respect after their return and fought for many years to be recognized.