Interactive Notebook Ideas
An interactive notebook allows students to be independent and creative thinkers and writers. It takes class notes and other activities and allow students to process the information presented in class in their own way and in their own style. Interactive notebooks can incorporate many different forms of learning so that all modalities are being met, and they allow for many creative ideas so that learning is fresh and always changing.Interactive Notebook Setup
The interactive notebook setup can be as simple or as elaborate as you wish it to be, but I have found over years of experience, that the more time I take at the beginning, the less frustration I have throughout the process. Therefore, I recommend looking at the pros and cons of each type of notebook and choosing the one that best fits your style and needs. I've even gone as far as making a notebook from individual sheets of notebook paper as we slowly grew our sheets into a notebook over the course of the school year. In hindsight, this is a method I would not recommend.Next, there are things like the interactive notebook table of contents, an envelope for pieces and parts of foldable crafts, a bookmark, and page numbering. Each of these items are effective and helpful in their own right, but none of them are critical to the process if things must get rolling and teaching must commence. If you'd like help with them; however, I go over each concept in THE Guide to Interactive Notebooks, available here.
Interactive Notebook Expectations
Ultimately, however, the effectiveness of the interactive notebook will come down to the teacher and how effective they are at guiding their interactive notebook time. Just as with any subject, if the teacher is nervous, unsure, or shows an air of disdain, the students will sense that and run with it. The teacher must be calm and collected, organized and efficient, energized and excited for the interactive notebook to be effective. No one wants kids cutting and gluing their lives away, so ideas must be implemented appropriately in order to ensure that students maximize their learning time.If you'd like more information on how to set-up and run your interactive notebooks, I have THE free 13-page interactive notebook guide. It's available here if you would like more guidance and support with this process.
Let me know if you use interactive notebooks in your classroom and how they work for you. If you have questions or problems, please don't hesitate to ask. I am here to help! Thanks for sharing your time with me.
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