The Notebook

No, I'm not talking about the movie or the novel.  I'm referring to what many call "interactive notebooks" or "readers' notebooks" or "writers' notebooks," depending on how they are used in the classroom.  I have used notebooks for the past few years now and I really like how they help the students keep everything together.

The notebooks in my classroom would best be defined as interactive notebooks more so than readers' or writers' notebooks, as they become a catch-all for everything we do in class (which includes reading and writing--I am a language arts teacher after all).  I first heard about using notebooks at a conference and that started the seed for how I might use them in my classes.  I ordered some books on using notebooks in the classroom, notably Aimee Buckner's Notebook Connections and Notebook Know-How.  But I didn't want my students having separate notebooks for reading, writing, and note-taking,  so I combined them together.  That first year, my students' notebooks had two sections: a bell work section (as bellringer assignments are a requirement at my school) and a unit work section (which held all notes and practice work for the class).  I graded them once a week.  It was a pain carrying them back and forth every weekend, let me tell you.  I ended up buying one of those giant laundry baskets on wheels (see below) and using it to pile the notebooks into my car.  I lived over half an hour away from the school at the time and couldn't come in every weekend to grade.  Thank goodness I live less than five minutes away now!

My notebook conveyor

For the last two years, my notebooks have been different.  First, I require my students to buy a composition notebook.  They may not have a binder.  They may not have a regular notebook. It must be a composition notebook.  They are sturdier and the pages don't fall out (unless you tear out pages, as they are sewn in all together).

Composition notebooks come in all colors and designs!

Then I have the students all set up their notebooks the same.  Once that first week of school is over and students have had plenty of time to bring in their notebooks, I make them set their notebooks up.  We do it as a class.  It's elementary but so necessary.  I can explain what each section is and my expectations for their work in their notebooks.  I had three sections set up last year: bell work, article of the week, and unit work.  I give each student two small sticky notes so they can count out pages for each section.  The number of pages for the bell work section equals the number of weeks in the semester.  Same for the article of the week.  They place the sticky notes in between each section.

For the handouts and articles my students get, I keep LOTS of tape in my room for the students to tape their sheets into their notebooks.  Handing out tape and taping things in is something I have to teach my students and practice with them.  By a few weeks in, they know the drill!

This summer, I have been thinking of adding a separate section into their notebooks.  I'm not for sure if I want to do it yet or not, but I might add a writing section.  One specifically to help them track their various drafts of writings.  I'm not 100% sure I want to do this.  One big reason is that it raises a few questions I can't answer: How many pages would I need to allot for this section?  How would these notes really be separate from their unit work?  If you are going to have a separate writing section, then why not a separate reading section too?  It becomes confusing.

I do know for a fact though that I am going to become more strict about how my students write in their notebooks.  I really like some of the information floating around out there about interactive notebooks.  I have added a few links below for anyone interested.  I like how the interactive notebooks separate one side for the notes the teacher gives and the other side for the student's reflection or practice with those notes.  This would also help make grading a little easier since (in THEORY) every student would put their graded work on the left side of their notebooks.  I wouldn't have to search a notebook for a good five minutes looking for a particular assignment.  And yes, in the past, I've had to do this.  It makes grading notebooks a very frustrating experience for me on some occasions.  

Here are the links:

--Interactive Notebooks on WikiSpaces: This is a link that contains many more links!  It has lots of different ways to use interactive notebooks in a classroom and even breaks the info down by subject being taught.

--Everybody is a Genius: How this math teacher uses interactive notebooks in the classroom.

--How to Set up an Interactive Notebook: A Slideshare for how to set up a notebook.

--Interactive Notebooks: How this teacher uses interactive notebooks in the English and Social Studies classroom.

I will share ideas on how to use the notebooks as I go through this year.  If anyone is willing to share any lesson ideas or ways you use interactive notebooks in your classroom, please comment!

--Mrs. Teacher Ma'am