His Brain is His Notebook
Dr. Kathy Koch on December 30th, 2008 | Filed under Note Taking
A mom wrote, “I have two children who are just beside themselves every day at the end of school about the amount of note taking they do in class, especially math. My son, in particular, is a typical highly-gifted child: disorganized notebook, highly organized brain! How in the world do I help his teachers understand that his BRAIN is his notebook? He gets 100% on everything – except his notebook! Help, please!!!”
Note taking seems to be a concern of many parents and students. (See entry from October 24th.) That’s one of the reasons I teach on this topic. J
This is not an easy situation. It’s not easy for the teacher, the student, or the parent!
Let me know what you think about this by submitting a comment. Here are my quick thoughts:
- This teacher, like many others, needs to decide why s/he is requiring the notebook. If it’s essential, how can a student who doesn’t have an organized notebook earn 100% on assignments? If it isn’t essential, why is it still being graded?
- Perhaps it’s a good idea to assign and grade a class notebook for awhile. Instruction should include why it’s important and how to do it well. Even students who think they don’t need the notebook must be respectful and obedient. This is more likely when they’re taught how to do it and if they don’t have to keep doing the notebook assignment if they can prove it’s unnecessary.
- Depending on the age/grade of this boy, I’d rather have him talk with his teacher than have the mother do it. If he chooses the time carefully (i.e., when the teacher will have enough time and can concentrate) and reminds his teacher of his grades, the conversation should go well. He needs to know what he wants. To never have to do a notebook again? To prove he can do it his way? Something else?
- If the teacher says the notebook is necessary and, with parents’ approval, this student chooses to not do it, then he will suffer the consequences of his choice. Sometimes that’s okay.
Your thoughts?
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