Interactive
Notebooks
Have you ever caught yourself
saying…
What do I
use to study
for the quiz
or test?
If so, interactive notebooks
are your answer to success!
When will I use them?
You will be using interactive notebooks in science and social studies.
You will also use them in 4th grade!
Do they go home?
All notebooks go home on Thursdays with your Thursday folder so
someone at home can look at them to make sure they are complete
and you are doing your best work!
Will they be graded?
YES!!! Your teacher will collect them and grade them about once every
2-3 weeks, but will check them daily/weekly for completion.
Are they class work or homework?
BOTH! Right side is always class work. Left side is not. Usually you
will be given class time to work on your left side but if you don’t
finish you will have to work on it at home. You have to be
responsible and make sure you are keeping up!
What is an interactive
notebook?
• Your own personalized portfolio that includes
everything you’ve learned throughout the
year!
• A helpful tool that will help you complete your
homework
• Study tool for quizzes and tests
• Great resource for end of the year review
• Helps you stay organized! You never have to
worry about losing papers.
• Allows for the 4 C’s: Creativity, Critical
Thinking, Collaboration, Communication!
scissors
MEAD Notebook
NOT SPIRAL!!!
Science (1)
pencils
glue sticks
(about 2 PER MONTH)
8x11” paper
white and
colored
Social Studies (1)
Math (2)
Markers: Optional and
colored pencils
only allowed for
outlining
or crayons
1-2 packs
How is it organized?
• The Right Side is teacher directed and is restricted for
the teacher only. This is where you will learn new
information and take notes on what you learn. You will learn
exactly how to take notes on this side.
• The Left Side is the your side. This is the side that you
show your understanding of the right side. It is your
independent practice. This is the side where you will have
choice and get to be creative!
• Table of Contents: You will number all of your pages in
your notebook by writing them on the upper right hand
corner. You will keep your notebooks organized by using a
table of contents at the beginning of your notebook. You
will need to skip the first 4 pages of your notebook for a
table of contents. Your table of contents will include page
numbers and lesson titles.
Date
Page
Number
Your assignment goes here!
How each
page needs to
be setup
Examples of Right Side
• Here are examples of ways you might be
introduced to new learning by your
teacher. You will be taking notes on one
of the following.
• Video
• Article
• Lecture
• Smart Board Lesson
• Power Point Presentation
• Guest Speaker
• Text Book
• Chapter Book
• Internet
• Field Trip
Examples of
Right Side Notes:
-Guided Notes
-Cornell Notes
(pictured to the
right)
-Student note
taking from scratch
(usually more toward
the end of the
year)
Examples of Left Side
“Product” Assignments
• Graphic Organizers
• Draw/Analyze Pictures
• Poems
• Foldables
• Brochures
• Comics
• Experiments
• Song Rewrite
• Sensory Figures
• Advertisements
• Short Cut Comic
• Be the Teacher: Create a
Quiz
• Technology
• Text Message Summary
• Wanted Hero Poster
• Timeline
• Magazine Cover
• Newspaper Article
• On Your Own Research
Left Side Choices
• At the beginning of the year, students
won’t get as much choice until they learn a
variety of left side assignments.
• Eventually, students will get more choice in
what they do on the left side.
• This choice may have to do with their
learning styles, multiple intelligences, or
bloom’s taxonomy.
Left Side Examples
Left Side
Examples
Left Side Examples
Left Side Examples
Left Side Examples
Left Side Examples
Dinah Zike’s Foldables
Left Side Examples:
Dinah Zike Foldables!
Left Side Examples:
Dinah Zike Foldables!
Left Side Examples
w/ Technology
Lesson:
Right Side (Teacher Side)
____ Notes including handwriting are neat and completed with care
____ Notes are complete, detailed, and organized.
Left Side (Student Side)
____ The assignment including handwriting is neat, and completed with care
____ The assignment is complete
____ The assignment is completed according to instructions given by the teacher
____ The assignment is correct
____ The left side shows a thorough understanding of the right side (2 Points)
____ Color has been used to make the assignment neat and attractive.
Organization and Timeliness
____ Pages are attached securely, left side/right side order intact
____ Pages numbers and dates are included and at the top of each page
____ The notebook assignment was completed and turned in on time
Creativity
____ Student’s assignment is creative and thought provoking.
Evidence of Additional Thinking/Effort – WOW Factor
____ Student put exceptional effort into both right and left side assignments. Assignment
goes above and beyond the requirements.
Social Studies & Science Rubric
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•
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Review:
You will use interactive notebooks in science & SS
They will be collected for grades
You MUST take home your notebooks at least every Thursday
Always try to get the WOW factor by exceeding expectations. In
other words, always do your best work and BE CREATIVE!
NEVER leave your notebook at home
Take really good care of your notebook
Always keep up to date with your page numbers, dates, and table of
contents.
Don’t get your left and right side confused.
Make sure you use enough glue, but not too much! Also, don’t forget
that we can always use more glue sticks!!
Parent Reminders:
• Check your child’s notebooks WEEKLY!
• Make sure your child is keeping up with their left
sides. They may have to finish some at home.
• All left sides must have color, however a majority
of their time should be spent on content.
• Students’ handwriting and work should always be
their best!
• Encourage your child to go above and beyond as
well as be creative!
• Use this as an opportunity to see what they are
learning in school.
• You may ask, why interactive notebooks? Middle
school teachers said the 2 things students are
lacking are organization and note-taking. These
will help them when they get to middle school!
Questions?