THE INTERACTIVE WORLD HISTORY NOTEBOOK
Purpose:
 enable you to become a creative, independent
thinker and writer
 to create connections between what you study in
class and what you see in the world around you
 give you a place to reflect on important ideas and
issues
 help you practice organizational skills that will help
you succeed in college.
Grading:
Notebooks will be collected every three to four weeks, except early in the year, when
they will be collected more frequently.
Notebooks will be graded on thoroughness, quality, organization and visual appeal.
All class notes and notebook assignments should be included, even for days you are
absent.
Every entry must be titled, dated, and recorded in a table of contents. All handouts
must be cut and pasted in the notebook. Loose papers will not be graded.
Using visuals:
An important part of your notebook is it visual appearance. The more interesting you
make your notebook to look at, the easier it will be to study for tests and your final
exam.
To help you find topics easily, you will create an illustrated title page for each unit of
study. We will work on these together in class.
Extra credit:
You can earn up to 10 extra credit points on every notebook check by enhancing your
notebook with illustrations and/or historical photographs from the Internet that are
relevant to the topic being studied. Examples will be shown in class. These are the
only extra credit points offered in this class, take them!!
Materials needed:
1 small (70-80 pages) spiral college ruled notebook for each semester
Colored pencils, markers, highlighter
Glue stick, scissors, folder (for handouts)
Your first notebook assignment!
1. Get your materials.
2. Clearly label the front of the notebook with your first and last name and class
period.
3. Cut out words and pictures from magazines (or clipart, photos, etc.) that
represent YOU and glue them to the front cover. You may include pictures of
family and friends …all pics must be school appropriate!
4. Decorate the inside cover with quotations and images from World History. (for
example, pictures of leaders, important events, etc.)These images should span the
time period from Prehistory all the way to the English Revolution. (Chapters 1-10
of your textbook)
5. Find some clear packing tape when you are done with the “artsy” cover, and
carefully tape the entire cover with strips of tape inside and out so it will last all
semester.
NEXT:
1. On the first page of your notebook, on the upper right hand corner, number this
page 1.
2. Turn the page. In the upper left corner on the back of page 1, label this page 2.
3. Continue to number all pages in your notebook.
4. On pages 1, 2, 3 write the words “Table of Contents” at the top of each page.
See you tomorrow with your notebook! 
What goes in my notebook?

Review and Preview (RAP) - These are short exercises done at the beginning
of class to get you thinking before a class activity. Here you will review important
concepts from the day before, or preview ideas in today’s lesson. Put all of your
RAPS for one week on the same page. (5 points)

Personal Response - Frequently you will be asked to express your own
opinions/feelings, explanations, etc. about a topic we are studying, a film we
watched, or an activity completed in class. (5-10 points).

Weekly homework assignments – such as reading questions, section
assessments, and vocabulary words. (10-15 points)

Lecture notes - Key ideas from lectures should be organized in an outline
format. (10-15 points).

Reading notes: You will use the World History notetaker outline on my
webpage to take weekly reading notes. You can print blank outlines to fill out or
simply copy the outline into your notebook. (10-15 points). (If you prefer to do
another form of outline notes, that is ok.)

Daily activities/classwork - (15-30 points)