Interactive notebooks

[ReadersnRacers@aol.com]

Sherri writes:
> I'm interested in trying interactive notebooks in the coming year.  I teach
> 7th grade language arts.  I would be interested in hearing from anyone out
> there who uses IAN's in language arts area.  Since I'm NEW to this concept,
> I would appreciate any and all help with start-up, daily use, assessing,
> etc.
> 
Pam writes:
I am a huge fan of interactive notebooks (aka IAN by my kids).   I keep a 
sample/example notebook with my kids.  I also keep my own version of an 
interactive notebook for all of my meetings (Leadership, faculty, team, committee, book 
studies) - that way I can process all the info that I need.   I glue in 
memos, etc.   Everything is in one place (it also allows me to "doodle" in meetings 
- I am one of those people who draw, etc. & it helps me to sit still and 
process what I'm hearing).

I've emailed you off list with attachments of examples of how I set up my IAN 
& what I show the kids for their reflections.   

I have found that IANs help my kids stay organized and process info much 
quicker.   I don't use IANs exclusively since with LA we do need to work with the 
writing process (revisions & drafts would be a real pain in the tush for a 
lengthy piece of writing).   Therefore, all writing/grammar/vocabulary 
mini-lessons, teacher directed practice,   and Lit Circle reflections go in the IAN.   
Drafts/revisions for writing workshop (student selected writing pieces is on 
loose-leaf paper that is housed in their working portfolio in the student filing 
cabinet in my classroom).   It's taken 3 years to tweak, but I think I've got 
a process & system that is going to work very well for me next year.   



Pam Tempest
Team Neon-6th Gr. ELA
Hudson Middle School
http://nlcommunities.com/communities/tempest

"The important thing is not so much that every child should be taught, as 
that every child should be given the wish to learn." John Lubbock





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