Q: How often do you use the notebook?
A: I don't necessarily use them every day. My general process went like this when beginning something new: introduce new topic, add topic and page number to the table of contents. Make sure all your students number the pages of their notebook (front and back) at the beginning of the year. Then, students take notes on the topic or add a vocabulary list to the page (if it's a vocabulary topic). I do grammar notes and introduce vocab using PowerPoint presentations. After notes are finished, students add the foldable/flipable template or whatever interactive piece we are doing for that topic to their notebooks. This process may take a couple of lessons (depending on your class period length, what you want them to do for HW etc.).
Q: Does everything you do in class get added to the notebook?
Every single thing doesn't go in them (I made students have an additional pocket folder to store handouts/assignments not in the notebook). During the unit, they may sometimes add other assignments (like a dialogue or occasional book work) to the notebook if it could be incorporated well and could serve a purpose as a study tool. We also play games and do other speaking and listening activities that wouldn't be included in the interactive notebook. I DO have students do their Para Empezar (bell-ringers/warm-ups) in their INBs because I believe that these can be useful for study purposes. I save about 20 pages at the beginning of the notebook which they labeled "Para Empezar".
Q: What are the benefits of using Interactive Notebooks? Do they help students?
Q: What are the benefits of using Interactive Notebooks? Do they help students?
A: One of my favorite things about these notebooks is that students are creating an organized study resource. This is huge for students who have organization issues. They aren't digging around their backpacks for a page of notes on whatever. It also serves a a great review tool, so that when students asked a question related to something covered earlier in the year, I could tell them to look on page ___. It became their own "textbook", with condensed, organized info. Students often used the interactive pieces to study/review. They would express that it was more helpful and engaging than staring at pages of notes. For example, if they finished something early in class, they could go back and pull out a vocabulary matching game from earlier in their notebooks to play. This way, they can review previous concepts in a different manner in hopes of promoting more long term retention.
Are you using interactive notebooks in your language classes? I'd love to hear your thoughts! :)
Jump on over to this follow up post on Essentials for Spanish Interactive Notebooks.
