Survey Says!!! Interactive Notebooks Boost Student Thinking!

Okay, okay...so you have probably heard of Interactive Notebooks if you've been teaching in the past ten years. But why are they such a BIG deal???  Well, not only can the use of such notebooks create independent student thinkers in your classroom, but they are so FUN and who doesn't want to have fun with their kids???

Now, here is the skinny on the notebooks. There are no rules when it comes to using them or getting your students to use them. However, if you want them to work without breaking the bank, and show student success in your classrooms, here are a few tips from us:

1. First, think about what type of notebook you want to use. 
     Some primary teachers (kinder mainly) like to start by using a class interactive notebook. This allows for opportunities to model thinking using think alouds and for shared writing experiences. If you are wanting to use a class notebook, try using chart paper folded in half and put together to look like a book. If you are having individual student notebooks, try using composition books, spiral notebooks, or even a folder with some loose-sleeve paper in it. Really at a loss for materials? Try having students create their own notebooks using the Dinah Zike Mini Book foldable. Something is always better than nothing!

2. Make sure you understand the purpose and setup of the notebook before teaching it to the students.
    Okay, this one is HUGE! You must make sure to understand the setup, use, and purpose of the interactive notebook before you teach the students how to make one. The setup is simple: Left-side pages are always for student thinking and reflection of learning, while right-side pages are for input (materials, notes, or items the teacher gives the student). If you are unsure of what goes on each page, here are some ideas for you:

As far as the purpose of the notebook, well that is personal to your classroom, but we believe the purpose is to demonstrate knowledge and thinking, organize information and thoughts, and to communicate both orally and written on a daily basis in that subject. The setup of the notebook is also personal to you, but we do believe that your students should have a chance to make it their own in some way: a personalized cover, Math About Me page, How I Use Math, My Numbers, etc...

3.  Be sure to use the notebooks with fidelity, and model by creating and keeping a teacher notebook!
    Your students want to see you modeling, whether on an ELMO or document camera, in front of them, or even just using one yourself day-to-day. Keeping a teacher notebook is also extremely useful for catching students up that were absent! Just let them take yours to copy or create pages that they may have missed. Sure, they may not have the same type of thinking that would have been facilitated if they had been present, but it's better than not allowing them the same opportunity as your other students.

Finally, if you are looking for ideas, examples, or just wanting to know more, we are always an email away! And, if you happen to be traveling to San Antonio this week for the TEKS Resource System Conference, well...we will be presenting a session on Math Interactive Notebooks!

We hope you found these tips useful! Have a Mathtastic week, and keep checking back with us for more posts and updates! :)