STANDARD: INTRODUCTION TO COURSE
Opening
Answer the essential
question: Why do we study
history. Your response
should be 3 sentences.
Work Period
• Present name plates
• Textbook scavenger
hunt
• Note-taking strategies
Closing
Which style of notes works best for you? Why?
NOTE-TAKING STRATEGIES
US History
2012-2013
TAKING GREAT NOTES
You need to find the note-taking method that
works best for you!
 You will be responsible for taking notes during
each lecture. Your notes will help you to study
for the test on the current unit and the tests on
future units which will be semi-cumulative.

EXAMPLE OF CORNELL NOTES
Cornell Notes
MIND MAPPING
TIPS AND TRICKS



Write down only the main points of the lecture. Do NOT try to copy the PowerPoint!
Look for these cues to give you hints about main points:
Anytime the teacher says, “You need to know this,” or “This will be on the test.” Duh.
Anytime the teacher repeats him/herself.
Anything the teacher writes on the board or includes in a PowerPoint slide.
Anything the teacher repeats very slowly so that it can be taken down word
for word.
If your teacher starts talking more quickly, loudly, or with more emphasis.
Watch for language that shows relationships between ideas. These sorts of points are
often where professors get their exam questions:
 first, second, third
 especially, most significant, most important
 however, on the other hand
 because, so, therefore, consequently
Write down the summary/main points of the
discussion at the end of class
 Write down any examples and hypothetical
situations given
 Pay attention to the essential questions. It is
likely that they will be free response questions
on the test!
 If you don’t understand something, ASK!

STANDARD: INTRODUCTION TO COURSE
Opening
Answer the essential
question: Why do we study
history. Your response
should be 3 sentences.
Work Period
• Present name plates
• Textbook scavenger
hunt
• Note-taking strategies
Closing
Which style of notes works best for you? Why?