Baltimore County Public Schools
Concept
Unit Title
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Suggested
Timeframe
Lesson:10a
Note-Taking and Citing Sources
 Researchers will conduct preliminary research in order to develop a content
specific context within which to begin designing an original research topic while
affording an opportunity to build significant background knowledge.
 How can students conduct meaningful and efficient preliminary research
connected to their chosen topic of study?
Seven Period Day: 1 Day
Four Period Day: ½ Day
Staff Teaching
Responsibility
Teacher
Library Media Specialist
General Notes:
The purpose of lesson is to introduce students to the note-taking method necessary for collecting
information while researching in both print and non-print resources.
Theme Statement/
Enduring
Understandings
Essential
Question(s)
Exploring an Issue or Problem
Teacher Note: This is the first of two lessons on note-taking. The teacher will want to coordinate with the
LMS in order to effectively and efficiently implement this lesson.
Learning preferences addressed: Active, Visual
Objective:
Standards
Alignment
The teacher should keep in mind that this lesson includes suggestions for meeting the stated objectives. The
teacher should adjust the lesson based on the needs of his or her students; however, all objectives should be
covered.
Students will practice note-taking in order to apply this skill to a mini-research activity and the preliminary
content research related to their research question.
2.1.1: Continue an inquiry- based research process by applying critical- thinking skills (analysis, synthesis,
evaluation, organization) to information and knowledge in order to construct new understandings, draw
conclusions, and create new knowledge.
2.1.2: Organize knowledge so that it is useful.
Formative
Assessment
Digital Content,
Tools, and
Resources
Before Direct
Instruction
2.1.3: Use strategies to draw conclusions from information and apply knowledge to curricular areas, realworld situations, and further investigations.
3-5 completed note-cards on the in-class mini-research activity
http://www.brainpop.com/english/writing/citingsources/
Education World: 5 Note-taking Lessons for Fun



Unit 2, Lesson 10a
The teacher will need to access and implement the note-taking lesson provided in the link:
Dartmouth College Lesson Plan on Notetaking or Voorhees Township Summarizing Lessons (will
need to be modified for secondary level)
The teacher will also need to locate an article for the students to practice with as a whole group and for
modeling. Suggestion location of articles: http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/feebased/
In order for students to practice and apply their note-taking skills, the teacher will need to locate an
article or reading of interest, related to current research, to the students in order to practice their notetaking skills. (suggested story: http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/amislove/twittermood/ and
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/07/22/eveningnews/main6704228.shtml)
1
Summer 2010
Baltimore County Public Schools
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Suggested Activity
 Implement the lesson provided through the link. Dartmouth College Lesson Plan on Notetaking or
Sequence:
Voorhees Township Summarizing Lessons (will need to be modified for secondary level)
 For the application activity, the teacher will distribute an article on current research in order for the
students to practice their newly acquired note-taking skills.
 The teacher will have the students access the following two sites in order to apply the note-taking skill.
The teacher is encouraged to find an article/story of interest to the students.
http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/amislove/twittermood/ and
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/07/22/eveningnews/main6704228.shtml
 Collect the note cards from the students and provide feedback on each. The teacher may want to
consider developing a rubric for scoring purposes.
Differentiation
Suggestions
Unit 2, Lesson 10a
Components
Content
Process
Product
Curriculum Resources



Brief Description



2
Summer 2010