Avoid the Talking Head: Lecture Free (or Light) Notes

Notes are an unavoidable necessity...BUT we can avoid the Talking Head at the front of the room.

You know the one I mean. The one that drones on in an endless Charlie Brownesque wa wa wa. The one NO ONE listens to because it is soooooooo BORING. The one that puts everyone to sleep...even itself.

Never fear! You will not find a Talking Head here. What you will find are alternative and creative ways to give students necessary lecture notes.

1. Scavenger Hunt Notes: These require some prep tim but are totally worth it!

          Place a picture related to the notes on one side of the paper and the notes on the other side.        

         

Shakespeare and Petrarch

These notes are on sonnets and forms of sonnets.

Cut each sheet into a puzzle. The number of pieces you make PER SHEET will depend on the number of clues you are giving. I have 5 clues per puzzle, so each sheet is cut into 5 pieces.

                                             

Separate the puzzles for groups. **The first time I did this, I didn't use a different color for each group. The result? Mixed up puzzles.** Each group should be represented by a different color.

                                                

Add the clues. I find laminating these helps if you're going to use the same clues from year to year. Then put each group in a large manilla envelope labeled according to puzzle color.

                                                     

**IMPORTANT: If your clues refer to places within your school as mine do, clear the hiding of these puzzles with those affected prior to this activity. It's also a good idea to give your principal a heads up, so there is no confusion as to why your students are wandering all over the school.**

Explain to the students they will be completing a scavenger hunt to find their notes. Once they find all 10 pieces (we have 2 separate puzzles 2 X 5= 10), they are to return to the classroom, assemble the puzzles, and write down the notes in their interactive notebooks (watch for an upcoming pst about these). 

Make it a competiton. The first group done receives a prize: bonus points, homework pass, candy, etc...

You are now ready to assign groups and begin the hunt. Remeber to put the first clue on the board.

Students find a clue on the periodic table in Chemistry class.

Students assemble the puzzle.

Students write the notes.

Voila! No talking head! You will still discuss the notes, but it will be a give and take discussion as you apply the notes.

     2. Visual Notes: These require little to no prep time but are still highly effective!

Assign a topic to be researched by your students.

       We researched the types of politics found in Caesar's Rome.

Figure out the need to knows.

         For each of the 3 types, I wanted them to find 1) the definition, 2) its effect on the Roman

         people, and 3) what it meant for Caesar personally.

Show the students examples.

         Feel free to use my students' examples (below) or google 'visual notes'.

The key is to have a good ratio of pictures to words.

        These are some of the best examples from my students.

                       

Remember to display these. They serve as both decorations and study aides. 

Again, no talking head! And, the kids were responsible for their own learning.

Thanks for reading! Please, share any creative note taking ideas you use.