I love to use foldable notes, but my next favorite note-taking tool is creating diagrams. Diagrams can be created for almost any topic, such as: Earth's cycles, Earth, Sun, Moon relationships, Earth's atmosphere, the periodic table, etc. Diagrams allow students to visualize what's happening, plus you can add notes to each part/step to explain whats happening. Drawing diagrams can be a useful tool to use for written response questions on various assessments. Throughout the year, I create diagrams for students to copy, but I also have students draw diagrams for me to assess their understanding. Students complete several large projects over the course of a school year and many of those projects involve creating a diagram. This past school year, students complete a diagram describing many features of Earth's atmosphere and a diagram showcasing a family of the periodic table. I will post pictures of these projects soon.
Diagram Examples
1. The Water Cycle Diagram-Original taken from:
USGS Water Cycle For Kids
2. Parts of a Microscope
3. Biomes Choice Board-Option 1
4. Photosynthesis Diagram
Diagram Examples
1. The Water Cycle Diagram-Original taken from:
USGS Water Cycle For Kids
2. Parts of a Microscope
3. Biomes Choice Board-Option 1
4. Photosynthesis Diagram