Interactive Notebook

The purpose of the Interactive Notebook is to engage you in learning while teaching you valuable organizational skills. It is not just about keeping organized though; it is about organizing the learning process. You will be asked to access prior knowledge or preview new ideas on the left side of your notebook; this in known as “input”. You will be asked to complete activities that will give you the literary content required by national, state, and district standards on the right page of the notebook. (This could be as simple as notes or handouts). The “output” portion of the lesson will go on the left side of the notebook and requires you to process what you have learned. This is the part which challenges you to make the content your own, and allows the content to sink in. Your left side of the notebook will look different from every other student’s in the class.

NEVER remove any pages from your Interactive Notebook. Always be prepared with loose leaf notebook paper. If handouts or copies need to be added to the notebook, glue, tape or staple them to the pages bound to wire.

Components of the Interactive Notebook

Unit Objective Page: Every new unit will begin with a Unit Objective Page. It will describe the objectives and vocabulary the student will be responsible for learning throughout the unit. It will always go on the left side of the notebook.

Setting-Up the Notebook

The Front Cover: put the following information on your cover – remember you will be using this for the entire year.

  • Your Name
  • Your period
  • The title of the course Interactive English Notebook (IEN)
  • The school year
  • The teachers name

Numbering Your Pages

  • Number at least the first 50 pages.
  • Numbering should be in the top left and right hand corners of each page.
  • Note that odd numbers are on the right and even numbers are on the left.
  • Numbering begins on page 1

Table of Contents: Begins on page 8 of your notebook. It is where all assignments are listed by the page number, date and name of the assignment. Each of the assignments listed should be finished and located on the page listed in the Table of Contents. Through this method, you can also find out what work you missed if you were absent from class.

Other Stuff You Need to Know:

  • You notebook needs to be brought to classEVERYDAY!
  • Your notebooks must be kept neat and organized.
  • Notebooks that are messy and falling apart will not be graded.
  • THESE NOTEBOOKS MAY NOT BE USED FOR OTHER CLASSES OR RANDOM DOODLING.
  • You will need to make sure you get all that you miss when you are absent.
  • I will give open notebook pop quizzes from time to time, so the better your notes are, the better you’ll do!
  • Staying current with all entries is vital to your success this year in English. If you are absent copy the right side entries from another student, but complete the left side on your own. Be sure to update your table of contents.

Grading

  • Grading will vary and there will be many grades involved with the INB.
  • You will know what will be expected with Formal Notebook Grading.
  • Your notebook may be checked for specific assignments, the presence of certain things, or just that you are doing what is asked.
  • “Big Notebook Checks” will count as a test/ long term project grade.

Keeping the Notebook!!!

YOU must take care of your notebook for the entire school year. YOUR NOTEBOOK MUST BE BROUGHT TO CLASS EVERYDAY!! If you do not have your notebook in class on a day it is being graded, you will not receive credit.