Guided Notes
Table of Contents
Bloom's Level
Use
Setting
Activity
Technology
Related Strategies
Description
The guided notes strategy adds scaffolding and structure to students’ note-taking experience. Guided notes are handouts with an outline of key information and details that align with the instructional material, but blank spaces are left for students to fill in specific information they will gain during the lesson. Teachers create guided notes for students to complete as they listen to a lecture, look at visual media, or read independently. Once students fill in all the blanks, they will have a complete set of notes to use as a study guide.
When To Use It
As a learning strategy, use guided notes when you want students to:
- take notes that focus on key ideas and details as they are learning
- review content before an assessment or activity
- build content vocabulary through structured note-taking
- engage in active learning
- preview concepts and ideas before a learning activity
As an instructional strategy, use guided notes when you want to:
- support students with a structure for note-taking
- highlight key areas of focus for a unit of study
- scaffold and adapt note-taking for diverse learners
- promote active learning during a lecture, engaging with media, or independent reading
- monitor student learning
How To Use It
Advance Prep
- Determine the key ideas and details that students should take away from a unit of study (e.g., lecture, watching a video, assigned reading, experiment, etc.).
- Using a document, outline the information that students should know, including key ideas, concepts, details, and vocabulary. If appropriate, consider adding diagrams or graphics to the notes to make them more effective. Create a complete set of notes that align with the instructional material, and save the completed draft as an answer key.
- Create the student copy by highlighting the key ideas and details you want students to fill in and replacing them with blanks. Keep the content that students should fill in brief.
In some cases, students may create guided notes that can be shared with their classmates. You can assign groups of students a part of the instructional material to study and create notes based on the content, similar to the jigsaw strategy. Teachers review and edit their notes before sharing them with the rest of the class.
Implementation
- Explain to students that they will complete a guided notes document, filling in the blanks with the key ideas and details they learn as they engage in the lesson or activity. Explain that these notes will help them focus on the essential information from the lesson, including key vocabulary, concepts, and details.
- Provide a digital or paper copy of the notes to each student.
- Present students with the instructional material or lecture and have them complete the notes document as they are learning. Have students pause at appropriate points to review or add to their notes. You may also wish to have students work in pairs or small groups to compare notes periodically, but each student should complete a copy of the notes.
- After the activity, convene the class to review the completed answers.
- Have students reference their guided notes to prepare for an upcoming assessment or further study.
Pros
- Provide a solid framework for students to take notes
- Ensure that all students are working from a consistent set of notes
- Provide a model for note-taking for active learning
- Help students retain the most important information from the learning material
- Promote engagement and active learning
Cons
- Comprehensive notes take a lot of time to prepare.
- If the notes are too robust, students may be overwhelmed and lose focus
- Providing partially completed notes might interfere with students’ ability to take notes from scratch.
Culturally Responsive Application
Guided notes can support culturally responsive teaching because the notes can be adapted and differentiated to meet the needs of diverse learners and cultures. Teachers can include culturally relevant connections in the notes to make them accessible to all students. Additionally, when students work in small groups to create guided notes, they summarize the material in their own words and work collaboratively, everyone’s contribution to the notes is valued.
Emerging English Language Support
Guided notes procedures were successful at increasing the accuracy of students’ notes, improving session quiz scores, and were overwhelmingly preferred when compared with students taking their own notes.
Students with Disabilities Support
Guided notes are an effective way to improve outcomes. Could be an effective intervention strategy for improving academic performance and positive outcomes for students with emotional and behavioral disorders.
Subjects
All