3 Top Benefits of Ancient Civilization Interactive Notebooks
Implementing Interactive Student Notebooks was one of the BEST things I ever did.
The simple concept of a student notebook helped tremendously with organization and structure for both me and my students.
Let’s face it though, writing on blank notebook paper wasn’t exactly the most exciting thing ever.
The simple concept of a student notebook helped tremendously with organization and structure for both me and my students.
Let’s face it though, writing on blank notebook paper wasn’t exactly the most exciting thing ever.
While I learned a lot about using the structure of interactive student notebooks, one of the items at the top of my list, was finding ways to make it more engaging for my students.
In this post, I will share 3 of the top benefits to using interactive notebooks in history class.
#1 Increased Engagement
When I first implemented the Interactive Student Notebook or ISN, there wasn’t a lot of information out there about using it the structure in a history or social studies class. Most of the resources I found were all about science.
So I had to do some experimenting with what worked well for history.
One of the easiest ways I found to make the material more engaging for my students, was to use notebook foldables.
So I had to do some experimenting with what worked well for history.
One of the easiest ways I found to make the material more engaging for my students, was to use notebook foldables.
Ancient Egypt Notebook Foldable set available in my TpT Store
#2 Organization and Structure
Not only did the foldable strategy provide a way for student to engage more with the material – but they also provided a much needed form of organization for the students.
Of course, part of the purpose of an Interactive Student Notebook is to provide an organizational structure to students.
But beyond the notebook itself, the foldable strategy provided an organizational approach to taking notes.
I’m a big believer that students need guidance with note-taking.
When you ask students to take out paper and “take notes” most often you will find students will try to write down everything or they will write down nothing. Either way – it’s no good.
Of course, part of the purpose of an Interactive Student Notebook is to provide an organizational structure to students.
But beyond the notebook itself, the foldable strategy provided an organizational approach to taking notes.
I’m a big believer that students need guidance with note-taking.
When you ask students to take out paper and “take notes” most often you will find students will try to write down everything or they will write down nothing. Either way – it’s no good.
Ancient Greece Notebook Foldable set available in my TpT Store
Notebook foldables provide a nice fun way to give students guidance about what type of information they should be looking for.
I found Interactive Student Notebooks to be super helpful in so many ways.
They provide structure for students to help with their organization.
They serve as a study tool for students – if you just take the time to show them how to actually study with their notes.
