READING SKILLS AND NOTE TAKING

Presented By: Meghan

READING SKILLS- OVERVIEW Muscle Reading

Phase 1: Before you Read Phase 2: While you read Phase 3: After you read

Read with a Dictionary

Styles of Reading Scanning Skimming Detailed Reading

Reading Fast

When Reading is Tough

MUSCLE READING

A technique used to avoid mental mini-vacations and reduce the number of unscheduled naps during study time, even after a hard day (3 Phase technique)

PHASE 1: BEFORE YOU READ

Step 1 Preview: preview the entire assignment. Keep an eye out for familiar concepts, facts, or ideas.

Step 2 Outline: Spend some time reading outlines and headings.

Step 3 Question: Determine what you want to take away from the reading or assignment. Write down a list of questions.

PHASE 2: WHILE YOU READ

Step 4 Reflect: Take a few moments to reflect on what you already know about the subject. Schedule breaks and reward yourself on the break.

Step 5 Underline: Deface your books. Underlining can save a lot of time when studying for tests.

Step 6 Answer: As you read seek out the answers to your questions.

PHASE 3: AFTER YOU READ

Step 7 Recite: Talk to someone else or yourself about what you have read.

Step 8 Review: Plan to do your first complete review within 24 hours of reading the material. This moves the information from your short-term memory to your long-term memory.

Step 9 Review Again: Do weekly and monthly reviews

READ WITH A DICTIONARY IN YOUR LAP

Strengthen your vocabulary by taking delight in words, look up unfamiliar words

Anytime you hear an unfamiliar word, write it down and look it up

Another suggestion is to divide an unfamiliar word into syllables and look for familiar parts

STYLES OF READING: 3 STYLES

1. Scanning for a specific focus: The technique you use when you’re looking up a name in the phone book: you move you eye quickly over the page to find particular words that are relevant to the task you are doing.

2. Skimming- For getting the gist of something: Use when your going through a newspaper or magazine. You read quickly to get the main points.

3. Detailed Reading – For extracting information accurately: Where you read every word, and work to learn from the text.

READING FAST

Get your body ready: gear up for reading faster. Get off the couch, sit up straight at a desk or table, on the edge of your chair, with your feet flat on the floor

Read faster then normal. You might be surprised to find out how well you comprehend material even at dramatically increased speed

WHEN READING IS TOUGH

Read it again Look for essential words Hold a mini review Read it out loud Talk to your instructor/find a tutor Pretend you understand then explain the

material

NOTE TAKING- OVERVIEW

Five important reasons to take notes Set the stage “Be Here Now” in class Watch for clues General techniques for note taking The Cornell Format Mind Mapping Outlining Improving your handwriting Your instructor When your instructor talks fast

FIVE IMPORTANT REASONS TO TAKE NOTES

1. It triggers basic lecturing processes and helps you to remember information

2. It helps you to concentrate in class3. It helps you prepare for tests4. Your notes are often a source of valuable

clues for what information the instructor thinks most important (i.e., what will show up on the next test)

5. Your notes often contain information that cannot be found elsewhere (i.e., in your textbook)

SET THE STAGE

Complete outside assignments: The more familiar you are with a subject, the more easily you can absorb information during class lectures

Bring the right materials: Pen, pencil, textbook, notebook

Sit front and centre: The closer you sit to the lecturer, the harder it is to fall asleep, become distracted by other classmates, and easier to read the board

Conduct a short pre-class review: Arrive early and review your notes from previous days

Clarify your intention: Write a short Intention Statement

“BE HERE NOW” IN CLASS

Accept your wandering mind: Don’t fight daydreaming. Look at it as an opportunity to refocus your attention

Notice your writing: Pay attention to the act of writing. This can bring you back to the here and now

Be with the instructor: Imagine that its just a personal conversation between you and the instructor

Notice your environment: Room temperature, the sound of chalk, feel of your chair...

CONTINUED...

Postpone debate: When you hear something you disagree with, observe the material and let it go

Let of judgements about lecture styles: Don’t let your attitude about your instructors lecture style, habits or appearance get in the way of your education

Participate in class activities: Ask questions and volunteer

Relate the class to your goals: Write down how a class relates to a specific goal

WATCH FOR CLUES

Be alert for repetition Listen for introductory, concluding, and

transition words and phrases Watch the board or overhead projector Watch the instructors eyes Highlight the obvious clues Notice the instructors interest level

GENERAL TECHNIQUES FOR NOTE TAKING

1. Use key words2. Use pictures and

diagrams3. Write notes in

paragraphs4. Copy material from the

board5. Use 3 ring binder6. Use only one side of

piece of paper7. Use index cards8. Keep your own thoughts

separated9. Use an “I’m lost” signal10. Label, number and date

all notes11. Use standard

abbreviations12. Leave blank spaces13. Take notes in different

colours14. Use graphic signals15. Use recorders effectively

THE CORNELL FORMAT

Developed by Walter Pauk at Cornell University during the 1950’s

How to use the Cornell Format:

1. Format your paper2. Take notes, leave

the cue column blank

3. Condense your

notes in the cue column

MIND MAPPING

Give yourself plenty of room Determine the main concept of lecture Use key words only Jazz it up! Create links

OUTLINING

Technically, each word, phrase, or sentence that appears in an outline is called a heading.

These are arranged in different levels:

First level- Note the major topics that are presented in a lecture or reading assignment

Second level- Record the key points that relate to the topic in the first level heading

Third Level- Record specific facts in details that support or explain each of your second level headings

IMPROVING YOUR HANDWRITING

1. Use the first step technique2. Use creative visualization3. Notice the shape of individual letters4. Keep your eyes on the tip of the pen5. Demonstrate your excellence6. Revise sloppy writing immediately7. Practice with the best materials8. Take a calligraphy course9. Dot all i’s and cross all t’s10. Insure that holes exist for a’s, e’s, and o’s11. Notice problem letters12. Print when understanding is critical13. Appreciate the value of legible writing

YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Show interest in class Take responsibility for your actions Get to know your instructor better Open up to diversity Avoid excuses Accept criticism Use course evaluations Separate liking from learning

WHEN YOUR INSTRUCTOR TALKS FAST

1. Take more time to prepare for class2. Exchange photocopies of notes with

classmates3. Leave large empty spaces in your notes4. See the instructor after class5. Use a voice recorder6. Go to lecture again (or class)7. Ask questions even if your totally lost8. Ask he or she to slow down

TAKING NOTES ON YOUR JOURNEY (JOURNAL WRITING)

Make lists Play with learning styles Re-read your journal Use a journal to manage stress Use a journal to increase writing skills Use a journal for personal growth

ANY QUESTIONS?