Graphic organizers are templates that guide students in note taking. Graphic organizers help students demonstrate information visually, and can take any form, depending on the lesson and the students' needs. You might create a simple graphic organizer with empty boxes for drawing pictures and diagrams, or a web of circles with space for students to take notes and make connections as they learn.
Help students learn how to take notes by creating templates with blanks for them to fill out. Try using a simple outline template with empty spaces for students to fill in key words during the lesson. As students progress in their note taking abilities, add more blanks for them to fill in. Ask students to copy the template from the blackboard to help them practice writing notes in outline format.
Show students how to use columns to organize their notes. Encourage students to draw a line down the middle of their paper. On the left, students can write down the main points of the lecture, while using the right column to write down supporting information, questions and examples. Alternatively, students can use one column to draw diagrams and pictures, and the other column for written information, suggests the Scholastic website.
Teach your students how to speed up their note taking with symbols and abbreviations. Show students how to shorten common words such as days of the week or measurements to save time and space. For example, students might abbreviate the word homework to "hmwk," suggests the website LD Online. Encourage students to use abbreviations that they will understand. In addition, symbols can save time during note taking. Question marks, the percentage sign or pound symbol are common symbols students can use in their notes. In addition, students can create their own system of symbols to speed up their note taking.