A 60 minute lesson in which students will take appropriate notes from an informative text.
Research Skills - Note Taking
60 mins
|
Suitable for stages:
2 - 4
Tuning In
- Write the following sentence on the board, twice (one underneath the other): Snakes are cold-blooded reptiles that can make venom.
- Using the first sentence, rub out the words snakes, cold-blooded, reptiles and venom. Look at the words that remain (are, that, can and make). Ask the students:
- Do these words provide any information about what the sentence is about?
- Is it possible to guess what the sentence is about, using only these words?
- Explain to the students that these words are known as 'connector words'. They provide no information about the content of a sentence.
- Using the second sentence, rub out the words are, that, can and make. Look at the words that remain (snakes, cold-blooded, reptiles and venom). Ask the students:
- Do these words provide any information about what the sentence is about?
- Is it possible to guess what the sentence is about, using only these words?
- Explain to the students that these words are known as 'informational words'. They provide the key information about the content of a sentence.
- Remind the students that, when they are taking notes from informative texts, they should only write down the informational words, not the connector words.
Teacher Instruction
- Project the text about sharks from the Research Skills Worksheets - Note Taking on the board. Discuss the instructions and hints in the box at the top of the page.
- Read the text together as a class. Discuss and model reading comprehension strategies, such as:
- looking at the title, subheadings, illustrations and repeated words for hints about the main idea
- locating and defining the subject-specific words (words that are related to the main idea).
- Project the next page of the worksheet pack on the board. Discuss the instructions and hints in the box at the top of the page.
- Read through each paragraph together as a class. Discuss and model note taking strategies, such as:
- highlighting the informational words only, not the connector words
- noting the key facts and details as single words or short phrases.
Guided/Independent Learning
- Provide the students with a copy of the Research Skills Worksheets - Note Taking. Monitor and support the students as they work through the activities for the two remaining texts.
Wrapping Up
- Discuss the main idea and subject-specific vocabulary of the two remaining texts (astronauts and smartphones). Encourage confident students to share their dot point notes with the rest of the class.
Differentiation
Extending Students
- Challenge any fast finishers to use their dot point notes to create a fact file poster for one of the topics in the worksheet pack.
Supporting Students
- Allow any students who find reading comprehension challenging to work on the note taking task in a small group with a teacher or teacher aide.
Suggested Assessment Strategies
- used strategic whole class or individual questioning
- observed student participation during learning activities
- recorded student progress on a checklist
- annotated student work samples
- collected and reviewed student work samples
- facilitated whole class or peer feedback sessions
- encouraged student self-reflection
- administered formal assessment tasks.
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Curriculum
Key Stage 2 (KS2) - Lower
Key Stage 2 (KS2) - Lower covers students in Year 3 and Year 4.
English
By the beginning of year 3, pupils should be able to read books written at an age-appropriate interest level. They should be able to read them accurately and at a speed that is sufficient for them to focus on understanding what they read rather than ...
Writing
Composition
Reading
Comprehension
Author
Teach Starter Publishing
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