Interactive Student Notebook Guidelines
What is the purpose of the Interactive Notebook?
The purpose of the Interactive Student Notebook is to enable you to be a
creative, independent thinker and writer. Interactive Notebooks will be
used for class notes as well as for other activities in which you will asked
to express your own ideas and process the information presented in class.
What goes in my notebook?
Everything we do in class (except for tests, oversize and group projects).
We will use graphically organized visuals to help you take notes,
structuring them so key ideas are clear and supported by examples from class
activities, discussion, or reading assignments. Your notebook will also be
used for a variety of different activities to preview learning and process
new content to demonstrate understanding. This is where you will record and
express all of your well-considered ideas.
How can I earn an A on my notebook?
A student who expects to earn an A- or higher grade on the notebook will be
one who keeps a complete, neat notebook, produces quality work, and has
taken the time to consistently extend learning beyond classroom
assignments. You will show this by including Making Connections entries,
unassigned work that you complete in addition to our regular class
assignments.
What do you mean by Making Connections?
For Making Connections, you place articles, pictures, or cartoons (from
magazines, newspapers, or the Internet) into your notebook, along with a 4-5
sentence summary and reflection on how the materials relate to our topic of
study. You might also include original drawings. Making Connections
should sharpen (rather than clutter) the visual appearance of your notebook.
How will my notebook be graded?
Notebooks will be graded on thoroughness, quality, organization, and visual
appearance. You will know the value of each major notebook assignment when
it is given. The notebook is a big part of your grade but not all of your
grade. Processing assignments and quizzes will be turned in and graded by
me before they are put in the notebook. (Oversize and group projects will
not go into notebook).
An important part of your notebook is its visual appearance. Your notebook
should be NEAT! Each entry should be titled and dated. All assignments must
be attached (glued, taped, or stapled in.) Attached assignments should not be
hanging out the edges of the notebook.
Notebooks will be checked every 3 weeks. All class notes and notebook
assignments should be included, even for days you were absent.
What happens if I am absent?
If you are absent it is your responsibility to obtain notebook assignments
from a classmate or from the Interactive Teacher Notebook.