Lesson+-+Using+the+SmartBoard+to+Take+Notes+for+Research+Project

= Research Skills: Learning to Take Notes Using the Smart Board =

**Materials Needed:** Smart Board, computer, projector, copies of animal research template handout for all students
When using the web for research, students have a tendency to copy and paste information and plagiarize. It is our job to teach students how to take notes so that they have the skills to create a project that is truly their own. This skill must be learned at an early age: ie. when students begin their first research project. This way, students will develop good habits.
 * LESSON PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: **

In this lesson, we will use the Smart Board to work through a note taking workshop with students. The Smart Board will be used because of its interactive nature and because it allows a class of up to 30 students to have a group lesson in a library setting where there may be only one computer available. The Smart Board is a motivating, collaborative tool which is visually engaging for learners of all abilities and supports kinesthetic learning. Thus, the learning becomes a physical, concrete, and more easily internalized experience for students and retention is maximized.

Students will come up to the Smart Board and, using the coloured pens, will demonstrate their ability to identify and circle key words on a specific area of the research topic (ie appearance, diet, enemies etc). The notations made by students can then be saved as a Notebook file for later use. Students will then transfer the key words/notes onto a note taking template under the correct categories.


 * ACTIVITIES: **

==== **Step 1:** The teacher brings up a sample animal website for students to take notes from on the Smart Board. Pick an animal, for example, the cheetah, and bring up a suitable information webpage. We will use http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/mammals/cheetah/coloring.shtml ====

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 * Step 4:** Read one or two sentences at time out loud. Ask for student volunteer to come up to SmartBoard and circle key words in the sentence. Work through the entire selection, in this manner. Use different coloured pens for different category (ie appearance, habitat, babies, diet etc)======

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 * Step 5: Students can then use an Inspiration designed handout to transfer their notes into the appropriate category.**


 * FURTHER LESSONS/ EXTENSIONS **:
 * Step 6:** Students then write their own sentences and paragraphs using their notes.
 * Step 7:** If a computer lab is available, students then create a Notebook presentation with their sentences, adding images, video clips, hyperlinks, bibliography, games, and quizzes (ie jeopardy).
 * Step 8:** Teach students how to create a bibliography for their presentation.
 * Step 9**: Student present their finished project to the class on the Smart Board.

**LESSON EVALUATION:** Collect student animal research notes, sentences and paragraphs. Were all students able to complete the task and write sentences in their own words?