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Setting Up an Interactive Notebook- Middle School Math

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Before I started using interactive notebooks, I got by, but barely. I'd make multiple copies of every handout for students who were constantly losing theirs. Students would take notes sometimes, and sometimes they wouldn't. All of my grades focused on the finished products, never on the process. I had few or no opportunities to explore the texts that we were studying in class using visual, logical, intrapersonal, or interpersonal learning styles. If I wanted students to write, I had to collect every page that they wrote, and I inevitably had a stack of unread notebook pages on my desk at the end of every day. Classes were discussion all day, every day, with me as the main source of energy for that discussion.

It was an exhausting mess.

I've been using interactive notebooks in my classes since 2005, and every single teaching resource that I create fits this format. I could never go back to teaching without them.

A Simple Yet Effective System

My interactive notebooks are simple spiral-bound notebooks into which students glue or tape my handouts. It's not an especially fancy system, and there are no pop-up cutouts or pages to color in. It's just a simple, functional way for students to create, write, and explore ideas all in the same place.

Using interactive notebooks in my classes has several benefits:

I've gained a system for classroom management and organization.

Every lesson takes advantage of a different learning style.

Students have much more ownership of the entire learning process.

While my students write almost every day in class, I collect that writing only once every month or two.

Most importantly, I'm not (quite) as worn out at the end of the day.

This is how my system works.

1. The notebook setup is fairly quick and very important. And it's worth it to make sure that we are all (literally) on the same page.

Students make a cover page with their name and class period.

The table of contents lists any handouts or information that they might need later on.

We number every page, making sure that we all have the same right and left.

And that's it.

2. I encourage more than one learning style. When I use interactive notebooks, I have a daily reminder to diversify my lesson plans and focus on more than one learning style.

The left side is always something creative. Most often, it's for writing-five-minute free writes to start or end the class. Sometimes it's for charts, drawings, or notes on a group activity.

The right side is for objective material. This is where students put any notes from the class discussion or the (extremely rare) lecture. It's also where they put questions that they complete in groups, with partners, or on their own. If there's a test on the material, they only need to study the right-hand pages.

3. I have a few tricks for managing the day-to-day process. For example, I keep a running list of page numbers and assignments visible in the classroom so that students don't have to ask me 20 times a day, "What page is that on?" (Not that it completely stops them.)

Another one of my key tools is a stamp. Whenever work is due, I go around the room and take a quick look at all of the students' notebooks, maybe reading one or two answers just as a spot check. If the work is finished on time, they get a stamp. Then, when I grade the notebooks, I simply count the stamps. If they have them all, they get 100 points on their homework grade.

4. Grading the notebooks is fairly painless. It's actually quite fun at times. I first make a quick pass to check for missing or unfinished work. Fifty percent of the notebook grade is an overall grade, and I take off points for missing or incomplete pages.

Then comes the fun part. The other 50 percent of their notebook grade is based on just four pages. Students choose three for me to grade, and I choose one. They get to show me their best work, I get to learn what they like and what they're proud of, and the process feels like a conversation with each individual student. I'm not grading the same page over and over, and ultimately, I find that students often do their best work in their notebook where there is little pressure. (Why they freeze when they read the word essay is a whole other topic.)

A Cure for Exhaustion?

One of the great pieces of advice that I've received as a teacher is that the students should be more tired than I am by the end of class. I still feel exhausted at times, and sometimes my classroom still feels like a mess, but by using interactive notebooks, I get to preserve a little more of myself for the end of the day.

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Interactive Notebooks: No Special Hardware Required

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Before I started using interactive notebooks, I got by, but barely. I'd make multiple copies of every handout for students who were constantly losing theirs. Students would take notes sometimes, and sometimes they wouldn't. All of my grades focused on the finished products, never on the process.

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https://youtu.be/uIJealk1QH4https://youtu.be/uIJealk1QH4

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Edutopia is a free source of information, inspiration, and practical strategies for learning and teaching in preK-12 education. We are published by the George Lucas Educational Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization.

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Interactive Notebooks - Joseph Hill's English Classes at Carlmont High School

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A site for Joseph Hill's English classes at Carlmont High School

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Interactive Notebooks: Organized, Rigorous, and Creative

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Interactive Notebooks: Organized, Rigorous, and Creative

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Are you looking for ways to use Interactive Notebooks for high school English? When I was first faced with this possibility, I was super excited!, but had no idea where to start. I wasn't sure if these would be the right tool for my 9th graders. I decided to start off the year with my normal Short Stories Unit, and slowly found ways to transform those lessons to ISN spreads.

Over the course of the unit, I discovered that Interactive Notebooks gave me a great structure for planning lessons, a lot of scaffolding for my students, and very rigorous, focused practice of a new skill before they left me each day.

Check out this 2 minute video to see how I set up Interactive Notebooks for high school:

Interactive Notebooks in ELA

To make Interactive Notebooks for high school more rigorous than a bunch of cut-and-paste foldables on every page, I try to set up every lesson using the In-Through-Out model. For me, this means the following breakdown: "IN" is a bellringer; "THROUGH" is notes, in-class group work, and graphic organizers; and "OUT" is independent practice or homework. This has really helped focus the work I give students - I have to choose the most important part, because it's got to fit on the bottom half of the left page. That means that Interactive Notebooks actually decrease busy work in my classroom - hooray!

I have also facilitated the notebooks in my classroom by taking pictures of my model interactive notebook for our class website. I use sticky notes to put the various task descriptions on the page, and I go ahead and paste in all blank organizers for students.

I also got to teach my favorite Disney song as part of an Irony lesson this year. "I'll Make a Man Out of You" from Mulan is the perfect bellringer to get kids thinking and talking about dramatic and situational irony. Also, it's got a really clear plot structure, so you can go ahead and review that with students, too.

I actually flipped my Irony lesson for the first time this year, and linked Christopher Warner's irony videos on our class website. I gave students guided notes to complete on the right side of that page for homework, and then they came to class ready to discuss (and read "The Lottery", of course!).

I also tried my hand at creating a foldable, popping my list of Lit Terms into an Interactive Notebook-ready list. Even my 9th graders loved these, and it helped them study for a Literary Devices Quiz. I went ahead and updated all of the ELA Vocabulary products in my TpT store to include this option. So, yeah - we do use some foldables in my class, but it isn't every day on every page!

Lastly, I converted one of my favorite lessons into an Interactive Notebook spread. After reading "The Lottery", we practice embedding direct quotes and paraphrases smoothly into paragraphs using the Introduce-Cite-Explain method. We do scaffolded practice, and then students work on their own to integrate two quotes. I even created Ready Rubrics to go in the margins of the notebook so that we can do peer and teacher feedback.

UPDATE: You can now find all of my Short Stories lessons in an Interactive Notebook format over at my TeachersPayTeachers store. This unit is ready-to-go with ideas, plans, resources, handouts, student samples, projects, quizzes, and rubrics. I also put together all of the materials I use throughout the year (short stories, novels, poems, and drama) in this Yearlong Bundle!

What are you up to in your Interactive Notebooks for high school? I'd love to hear from you!

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Are you looking for ways to use Interactive Notebooks for high school English? When I was first faced with this possibility, I was super excited!, but had no idea where to start. I wasn't sure if these would be the right tool for my 9th graders.

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Things are changing in today's classrooms. There seem to be fewer textbooks and more interactive-type learning going on. If you're new to the interactive notebook idea, have no fear! Below, you will find several ideas on how you can start using interactive notebook resources (sometimes referred to as INBs) in your English Language Arts classes TODAY! If you're tired of teaching grammar, punctuation or even novel studies the same old way, I have some ideas and suggestions on how you can change things up.

Interactive notebooks are both a continuous lesson and learning tool that can be referred to throughout a term or semester. Every time an interactive lesson is completed, students can keep it within their interactive notebook, which they can refer to any point when writing or reading throughout a semester. This resource is also a great study guide. It would probably be helpful to keep their interactive notebooks in a section of your classroom inside a bin or folder, so as to ensure none go missing or end up damaged! Once the term is over, students can take their interactive notebook with them, in hopes that they may refer to it in future English classes.

I will admit, I still regularly use pen and paper-type tasks in my classroom. (I haven't really delved into the online digital learning market, as much as I could have). While I may do a separate grammar lessons via handouts and worksheets that I have created at the start of a semester, for example, I will continue to review grammar skills using interactive resources, as another point of practice, as well as to differentiate how the skill is being taught. A fun way to incorporate everyday ELA skills into the classroom is through interactive games. As middle and high school students tend to enjoy competition, I knew this would be a real hit amongst my students!

This interactive notebook learning game is both exciting and educational, while your students learn how to properly use grammar in their writing. This activity can be completed individually, in small groups or even as a team. Students can use this interactive notebook resource to reinforce and improve their grammar skills, while enjoying a little friendly classroom competition. They won't even realize they're learning. :)

If you think your students might enjoy this activity, you can check out this Grammar Races Interactive Notebook Activity by clicking HERE!

The start of a new course or new term is a great time to reflect on the past and to set new goals for both personal and academic achievements. Again, if you're new to the interactive foldable idea or just looking for something quick and fun to start off the first day back of the New Year, here is a FREE 2018 Goals Interactive Foldable that you could use in your classroom on your first few days back in January! I have also included a FREE (generic) GOALS Interactive Foldable, which can be used at any point throughout a semester, if reflection is needed!

While there is no "set" method on how a teacher or student will set up their interactive notebook, some teachers choose to set up their interactive notebook using a left and right side method. To put it simply, our left and right brain hemispheres are used for different functions, so will the interactive notebook pages. The left side is used for more creative, free-thinking types of functions.

Here are a few examples of what can be included on the right side of an interactive notebook. The right side tends to be used for more organized, analytic-types of functions.

RIGHT SIDE = TEACHER SIDE

You might also be interested in these other interactive notebook activities for ELA:

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5 Ideas and Resources for Using Interactive Notebooks in English Language Arts

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Things are changing in today's classrooms. There seem to be fewer textbooks and more interactive-type learning going on. If you're new to the interactive notebook idea, have no fear! Below, you will find several ideas on how you can start using interactive notebook resources (sometimes referred to as INBs) in your English Language Arts classes TODAY!

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The Crucible Interactive Journal: Introduction

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This WebQuest is for students to use to put together their interactive journals associated with the Crucible Unit. This assignment has been originaly published for students to use during their holiday break, however it can also be used as a webquest assignment.

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Are you looking for an effective way to organize your student interactive writing notebooks and folders? I've used writing notebooks for several years and have made changes along the way to find the best possible way to use them. This post will show you how to set up your student notebooks, writing portfolios, and student reference folders. It will get your students rockin' and ready for a year of writing!

Use a 100-page composition notebook. There are two options for the outside of the cover.

1. Create a personalized outside cover. This is a great homework assignment! Have students cut and paste magazine clippings or printed pictures and letters of their favorite things and interests. Make sure they have their name on the front. Then seal it with packaging tape. If you use binders, no problem! Have your students decorate the outside cover of the binder! See the video below! OR

2. Use the cover page included in the FREE cover pages and tabs resource linked below!

This video shows how to put them together:

Student should number their pages. We used colorful dot labels for page numbers, because we liked to use marker for the numbers and they started to bleed through the pages. I suggest to do the page numbers as you go! You never know when someone might make a mistake and need to tear out a page.

Colorful dots: Any 3/4 inch dot labels will work, but the ones below are my FAVORITE because they offer 10 different colors.

Click for these dot labels:

3. CREATE A TABLE OF CONTENTS

Start a table of contents on the first page. Save the first 8 pages (4 pages front and back) for the Table of Contents. I suggest to do your table of contents as you progress through the mini lessons. Why? To be flexible! You might want to add a skill or skip a lesson your students already mastered. As students add their notes, they should keep track of them on the Table of Contents pages!

Sample of table of contents:

I like the Pacon Chart Tablets:
TABS AND COVER SHEETS FREE from my store:
To make tabs for notebooks, you can purchase Redi-Tags or get FREE TABS from my store! (FYI- The TABS from my store are also included in all the grade-level Interactive Writing Notebook Bundles.)

Reid-Tags:

Although I am suggesting page numbers for each section, keep in mind that this goes along with my writing bundles. You may need a different amount for your curriculum. Also, I highly recommend to do the sections as you go. There will be some students who will make a mistake and need more pages. I added a page or two to the bigger sections to allow for this, but if you don't have help in your classroom, it is a difficult task to do all at once with your class.

Rough Draft: If you choose to do the sections as you get to them, you have two options for the rough draft section. Either count back 20 pages and put the tab OR write the rough draft within each piece of writing. Use the rough draft section to create stories, and revise and edit them. Write the final drafts on a separate (final copy) paper and place them in the writing portfolios (see below).

Table of Contents- 4 pages using front and back.

Ideas- 5 pages using front and back.

Sentence Structure- 3 pages using front and back.

Paragraph Writing- 5 pages using front and back.

Writing Process- 1 page using front and back.

Narrative Writing- 20 pages using front and back.

Opinion Writing- 17 pages using front and back.

Informative Writing- 17 pages using front and back.

Rough Drafts- the rest of the notebook

Also included in my FREE cover pages and tabs, is a tab for DARE to Revise and a tab or CUPS for Editing. This can be used within each type of writing if you want your students to find those sections quickly.

Use a Collect everything that your students have published throughout the year! Poems, stories, writing across the curriculum, written bulletin board pieces, etc. Place them in a folder with brass fasteners. Use the pockets for the pieces that are difficult for hole-punching. At the end of the year, your students get to keep their final product! It is a great tool to use for 3-prong folder with pockets for final copies. parent-teacher conferences and an end-of-year gift!

6. STUDENT RESOURCE FOLDER

Use another 3-prong folder with pockets as a student resource folder. Place the FREE spelling dictionary and any resources neccessary for students to use during writing workshop. Punch holes in the resource pages and place them in the fasteners. The pockets are perfect to keep things like a spelling dictionary.

If you need already prepped and ready to go Student Resource Guides, click below.

Grab this FREE Spelling Dictionary too! There are two sizes for printable versions AND a google version for tablets!

I hope these ideas helped you get your student organized and ready to write!
READ A POST ABOUT A STEP-BY-STEP WRITING PROGRAM PROVEN TO MOTIVATE RELUCTANT WRITERS AND IMPROVE THEIR WRITING BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS!
DO YOU NEED HELP SETTING UP YOUR WRITING CENTER? CLICK HERE.

DO YOU NEED A FREE SERIES OF WRITING LESSON? CLICK HERE!

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THE BEST WAY TO SET UP INTERACTIVE WRITING NOTEBOOKS

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I've used writing notebooks for several years and have made changes along the way to find the best possible way to use them. This post will show how to set up your notebook! There is a video link at the bottom too!

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Elementary Reading

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Happy almost end of summer! This is my last week of complete freedom. Next week the school opens up for teachers to begin setting up their rooms and the following week is work week. With the anticipation of a new school year, I have been thinking a lot about how I want to structure and improve my literacy block. I thought I would share the interactive notebook that my students and I use to keep track of our skills. The pictures below are from the notebook that I keep along with the students. We also will include grammar activities and notes in our notebooks, but the pictures are just of the reading portion. Enjoy!

What do you use in your room? I would love to hear what you are doing or how I can improve.

These are just some of the pages from our notebook. If you are interested in finding out more about the reading notebook, you can visit my TPT store. The complete list of the activities the notebook includes is below.

-fiction/nonfiction
-author's purpose
-elements of fiction
-main idea
-making predictions
-making connections
-sequencing
-cause and effect
-ask and answer questions
-problem and solution
-text features
-folktales
-context clues
-drawing conclusions
-biography
-autobiography
-compare and contrast

Have a great day!

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Happy almost end of summer! This is my last week of complete freedom. Next week the school opens up for teachers to begin setting up their rooms and the following week is work week. With the anticipation of a new school year, I have been thinking a lot about how I want to structure and improve my literacy block.

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Elementary Math

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Interactive Math Notebook: Elementary grades 3-6