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Interactive notebooks

6/3/2018

9 Comments

 
By Jana Nicol

For the last few years, I have been working to implement more Universal Design for Learning (UDL) practices in my teaching. I have noticed an increase in student engagement in my science classes since I have started using interactive notebooks. Eventually I would like to begin using interactive notebooks in other subject areas.

Interactive notebooks can be used to make content and activities more accessible and engaging to students, which are key components of UDL. I use composition notebooks because they are affordable, sturdy, and have a lot of pages. We begin by personalizing the covers of our notebooks, which gives students a sense of ownership over them. I have my students decorate the cover of their notebooks at the beginning of the school year. They are asked to make a collage of pictures (they can bring in photographs, hand drawn pictures, cutouts from books and magazines, and stickers). After they decorate their books, they are really excited to begin using them!

Interactive notebooks can help promote accessibility and engagement in the following ways:
​
  • ​Templates are provided which help students to record, organize, and store information, and makes it easier for them to remember information and find it later on. 
  • They contain notes, templates, diagrams, and activities that have interactive features which are engaging and help students retain information. Some examples include flip books, diagrams, graphs, maps, journals, and pockets for cards (for vocabulary, definitions, and/or games)
  • Some of the templates and activities involve drawing pictures and colouring, which many students really enjoy. Some students love to flex their artistic muscles and add a creative flair to their work every chance they get.
  • The note writing templates use fill-in-the-blanks, which reduces the need to copy a lot of material. This makes it easier for students to get the information, vocabulary, and definitions they need on paper. It also reduces time needed to record information, which allows more time for activities and discussion.
  • Since using interactive notebooks, I have offered all students the option of using them for open-book tests. This rewards students for keeping thorough and well-organized notes, and also helps them practice valuable skills such as skimming texts for information.

​Here are a few samples of student work. These are from the grade three unit on building skills in science (making detailed observations, measurement, classification, and fair testing).
Picture
Cut and paste activity - classifying measurement tools
Picture
Flip book of the five senses
Picture
Flip book of units of measurement
Picture
Template for writing notes
Picture
Template for making observations
9 Comments
Blanca Sida
9/3/2018 01:41:14 pm

I love the idea of having interactive notebooks. It is an easy way for students to access information and implement it in their assignments. I feel like my students need to understand the importance of the interactive notebooks and not see it as extra work.

Reply
Kimberly Douglas
13/3/2018 09:29:35 pm

I also use interactive notebooks in my classroom for math, but I haven't thought about allowing students to use it for tests which I think I may start implementing. I work with student with special needs and by allowing them to use their IN on quizzes or tests will supply them with the support they need along with the feeling of being successful.

Reply
Yadira Mokelke
15/3/2018 05:11:38 pm

I love utilizing interactive notebooks. I feel silly as I hadn't considered them to be a UDL practice. It completely makes sense! I love the idea of letting students utilize IN for tests.

Reply
Jana Nicol
15/3/2018 09:23:53 pm

Hi Yadira,

I love how so many things we already do in our classrooms are a part of UDL. It's such a broad framework! And using IN for open book tests is a way to make assessments more accessible to everyone. Options for open book testing have been traditionally made available only to struggling learners... but by allowing all students to use their notebook we also help destigmatize this accommodation.

Reply
Jana Nicol
15/3/2018 09:39:01 pm

Hi Blanca,

In some ways interactive notebooks can be less work, such as filling in the blanks for key words in notes (as opposed to copying all of the information).

At the beginning, some students may resist the 'extra work' of cutting, pasting, and assembling flipbooks or sorting mats, but in my experience once they are trained on each type of activity, they're much easier to do and are no longer seen as a chore.

Reply
Jana Nicol
15/3/2018 09:41:58 pm

Hi Kimberly,

Using notebooks for tests is a great support for students, including struggling learners. Another benefit is that it helps create a sense of purpose for keeping notebooks organized and updated. Win/win!

Reply
Margaret Gilmore
15/4/2018 11:53:45 pm

What a wonderful idea and I love that you allow the students to personalize their notebooks!

Reply
Shannon Henry
16/10/2019 02:30:24 pm

Hi, I am an Assistive Technology Specialist and I work with students with disabilities and my student struggle with reading and writing and I find the INB's very limiting and not Universally Designed for my students and was wondering if you have any references of articles or websites to make them electronically so that students that can use speech to text and voice typing or typing to write on them.

Reply
Jana Nicol
16/10/2019 09:16:40 pm

Hi,

I agree that electronic resources are preferred for students who may need to use speech to text AT. The resources shown in the photos of this blog entry are all electronic as I made them myself. Another source where I have seen digital INBs is http://teacherspayteachers.com. Hopefully as INBs catch on digital formats of them will become more widely available. Hope this helps!

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    ​About me

    My name is Jana Nicol, and I have been teaching since 2005. I'm a UDL enthusiast and I love to learn and share ideas with other educators!

    ​I am currently working as a First Nations Education Coach in New Brunswick, Canada, on the unceded ancestral homelands of the Wolastoqewiyik, Mi'kmaq, and Peskotomuhkatiyik.

    I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, kayaking, working out, reading, and being outdoors. ​

    Views expressed are my own.

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