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 math, science, and social
studies. You will also use them in 4th grade!
Do they go home?
You’re math notebook should go home nightly to help you with your
homework. 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
1-2 weeks.
Are they class work or homework?
BOTH! Right side is always class work. Left side is not. Usually ou 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 text book that
includes everything you’ve learned throughout
the year!
• A helpful tool that will help you complete your
homework each and every night (especially
math). Yes you will need to take your math
notebook home each night!
• 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. You will use both sides to help you at
home when you are doing your HW.
• 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
Daily Objective
Your notes go here!
How each
page needs to
be setup
Page
Number
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
Example of
Right Side:
Cornell Notes
(You will use this
note taking strategy
in SS/Science.
Students are asked
to write a summary
and draw pictures of
key ideas after they
take notes)
Example of
Right Side:
Math
Notice the notes are very
guided. This is not always
the case. There will be
times you will be taking all
of the notes yourself. You
will need to know how to
take notes before 4th
grade. There will always be
notes and guided practice
on the right side.
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 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!
Dinah Zike’s
Foldables
Left Side Examples:
Dinah Zike Foldables!
Left Side Examples:
Dinah Zike Foldables!
Left Side Ideas:
Dinah Zike’s 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
Math Interactive Notebook Rubric
√++
√+
105%
100%

All notes

All notes

(right side)
(right side)
and
and
independent
independent
practice (left
practice (left
side) are
side) are
100%
100%
complete.
complete. 

Handwriting 
Handwriting
is their best
is neat, at all times,
pages are
pages are
organized,
well
and notes
organized,
are
and notes
completed
are
with care.
completed
with great
care.

Student goes
above and
beyond
expectations.
√
85%
Almost all

notes (right
side) and
independent
practice (left
side) are
complete. 
Handwriting
is neat, but
not their
best. Pages
are
organized
and notes
are
completed
with care.
Student Name: ___________________
√77%
Some notes
(right side) and
independent
practice (left
side) are
complete.
Handwriting is
somewhat
legible, pages
are not
completely
organized ,
and notes are
completed with
not much care.
√-70%

Most notes
(right side) and
independent
practice (left
side) are
incomplete or
missing.

Handwriting is
very sloppy,
pages are not
very organized,
and notes are
not completed
with care
Incomplete
50%

Little to all
notes (right
side) and
independent
practice (left
side) are
incomplete or
missing.
Review:
• You will use interactive notebooks in math, science, & SS
• They will be collected for grades
• You MUST take home your math notebook everyday for math and
only when there is homework or work to be finished for science
and social studies.
• 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!!
Questions?