Math Giraffe
  • Start Here
  • Blog
  • Doodle Notes
  • Shop
  • Classroom Management & Ideas
  • Algebra
  • Geometry
  • Middle School
  • Inquiry Learning
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • Pre Algebra Doodle NoteBook
  • Finance Doodle NoteBook
  • Distance Math Activities
  • Start Here
  • Blog
  • Doodle Notes
  • Shop
  • Classroom Management & Ideas
  • Algebra
  • Geometry
  • Middle School
  • Inquiry Learning
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • Pre Algebra Doodle NoteBook
  • Finance Doodle NoteBook
  • Distance Math Activities
Search by typing & pressing enter

YOUR CART

Picture

1/27/2015 17 Comments

Grading Math Notebooks

Getting your students to take good notes can be quite a challenge. 

I have noticed that giving a notebook grade greatly increases the number of students who are engaged in the note-taking process. 

I give plenty of freedom for students to decide what works best for them, but I do require the following structure:
  • a section for vocabulary
  • a section for class notes
  • a section for homework
Grading Procedure for Math Notebooks
I have tried doing a section for warm-ups in the past, but ended up switching to printed paper warm-ups.  I found that it was worth printing them, because the kids took it so much more seriously.  They tended to just give up and wait instead of trying if they knew that the warm-up would not be collected right away.

Setup

I think it's so important to set the stage and show that the notebook is a valuable resource and should be well structured, well maintained, and well used as a reference.

On the first or second day, take time to walk students through the setup.  It can be a 3 subject notebook where they label the sections, or it can be a regular notebook that they separate.  I like to hand out the firm, clear post-it tabs.  They can stick these in the sections, then easily move them around as one section grows larger than the others.  This prevents wasted pages when one section does not get filled up.

Be sure that students label the outside with their names and class periods, and the inside with the section names.  I do not require dates.

Be clear from day one that these will be graded.  Students need to know that you take the notes seriously.

BIGGEST TIP:

After carting 150 notebooks home in enormous plastic bins every quarter as report card time approached, I made a breakthrough.  I decided to do notebook checks DURING A TEST.  This was such a simple change that made all the difference.

It really does not matter if the notebook check comes two weeks before the end of the quarter, so I just choose the unit test that is closest to the end of the grading period.  This spreads out the checking dates for different classes.  I just have students leave the closed notebook right under the desk and I walk around and grab each one and scan through it while they quietly take their tests.

This way, students never have to part with their notebook when they may need it, and I never have to spend time outside of school with the grading process.

Vocabulary

I assign vocabulary for each lesson BEFORE any instruction.  This becomes a standard part of homework.  I require the term, definition, and an example.  The example can be a picture, a sample problem, or a sentence.  Students make different choices for this depending on the type of word.

Read about teaching vocabulary using root words here.
Grading Math Notebooks

Notes

During any direct instruction, I expect students to take notes.  They must record the examples and other notes that I give.  Later during practice for a lesson (or even a week later), I say "check your notes" when they ask certain questions.  Middle and High School students really need reminders to use their notebook as their first resource.  I try to train them to reference it whenever they get stuck.

Homework

Homework is checked daily, so although it lives in the notebook, it is not part of the notebook checks.  See my post on grading homework for details.

GRADING

I give a total of fifty points for the notebook each quarter.  I let students know that this is a way to get points for doing what they are supposed to be doing.  It can either boost the grade at the end of the quarter or hurt the grade.  This really does keep them pretty motivated.  I keep a list of each section of notes that should be present in the notebook and quickly flip through to verify that the notes are there.  After looking at the first three notebooks, the rest usually take only about two minutes per notebook.  I can quickly tell if something is missing.

If a section of notes is missing due to absence, I jot down what is needed and subtract two points.  I allow that student to bring it to me any time before X date to show me that they worked with a friend to make up the notes for the lesson.  (I know this is generous, but when students miss a day, they tend to get behind and make up the homework while neglecting the notes.  I prefer that they go back and look over the lesson they missed and add these notes.)  If they take the time to fix it up and come show me, I erase the old grade and add back the missing points.

As far as vocabulary, each student is generally either conscientious about doing it, or is missing almost all of it.  I subtract points for this accordingly, and give lectures about how this affects the grade.  We talk about shaping up for the next quarter!
Pin it
To get freebies and email updates, subscribe in the sidebar.

To Read Next:

17 Comments
Rachel
7/27/2015 05:34:05 am

What else do you grade? I tend to grade everything because when I didn't students wouldn't participate unless it was for points. I'm trying to make my grading less work for me and more useful form them.

Reply
Math Giraffe link
7/27/2015 09:43:49 am

Hi Rachel,
I like to give small homework grades for completion (see how I do mine here: http://www.mathgiraffe.com/the-math-classroom-blog/grading-homework-a-four-point-system
), plus quizzes, tests, and test corrections (see that post here: http://www.mathgiraffe.com/the-math-classroom-blog/best-procedure-for-test-corrections).
But also, reserve the right to grade classwork. I have had the same problem with participation. Don't be afraid to say "I haven't decided yet" when they constantly ask if things are graded. :) Keep them on their toes while minimizing grading for yourself.
-Brigid

Reply
Heather
5/5/2016 07:46:11 am

Thanks so much for the free resources! I have used your inquiry projects and doodle notes. I have a question about how you use notebooks. I would like to use them next year, but cannot decide if I should require a certain type, or just whatever a student prefers. I know a lot of people use composition notebooks, but many of my students do not like those because of smaller page sizes, wide rule, etc. Do you have any recommendations?

Reply
Math Giraffe link
5/5/2016 03:15:56 pm

Hi Heather,
You're welcome! I actually am not picky at all about notebooks. I tend to let the kids choose what works best for them. I don't recommend to them that they use a composition book, because they're small. By this point, they usually know what they're comfortable with and what works best for them, so I allow them to choose. Sorry, that's not super helpful...the only other tip is that I like the ones with a little folder pocket inside to tuck any pieces into. :) Thanks!
- Brigid

Reply
Heather
5/5/2016 03:53:37 pm

Thank you for your reply. This is my first year teaching and I have given a lot of guided notes and graphic organizers that the kids will complete in class but then throw away or stuff in their backpacks. I really want to try notebooks next year and make it part of their grade. My older students like the idea and think they would refer to their notes if they were in one place.

Nicole P
4/11/2017 12:59:25 pm

This is awesome. Have you tried notebook quizzes? I really liked them when I used them. I found that the act of walking around and checking notebooks still took a little time. Instead I tried a small quiz that would ask questions about what was in their notebook.
An example could be what notes were taken o April 5th? What's a vocabulary word from chapter 4. Each class got different questions and the next day. A class would grade another class. To protect identities of the papers, a teacher friend had students write the number that matched their name is her gradebook. What do you think?

Reply
Heather
4/12/2017 09:29:54 am

Thanks for the good ideas! My better students see the benefit of their INB, but others are so careless that their notebook is not of much benefit. It has been a frustration on that side, and the fact that students who are absent do not bother to get the notes when they return. However, notebook quizzes would have helped that situation.

Reply
Math Giraffe link
4/13/2017 07:45:38 pm

Hi Nicole!
Awesome idea - I love that!
(Especially the specifics of what date for a topic etc.)
This would probably be even better for keeping them accountable, and would be so quick to grade with your method. I think you've convinced me ;)
Thanks a ton!
-Brigid

Reply
Cyndi
3/24/2018 02:52:29 pm

I love this idea of the notebook quiz. I've been teaching 26 years and still find wonderful ideas that help save time or otherwise improve things for my students and myself.

Reply
Math Giraffe link
3/25/2018 10:00:28 am

That is so wonderful to hear! Thanks so much, Cyndi!
I am glad you can use the idea. Have a wonderful weekend,
- Brigid

Reply
Nikole R.
5/4/2018 11:26:10 pm

For anyone using INB's, about how much class time does it take for students to cut and paste the various cutouts into their book. I have tried this with a grade 6 class and ended up waiting until students were done to actually teach what was on the notes given. Not to mention the left over paper in the desks or on the floor. It was such a headache! However I do like the idea of INB's for quick reference and a alternative to writing so much.

Reply
Vicki
6/27/2018 07:43:43 pm

When using interactive notebooks, I have found that using a paper cutter and rectangular shapes to work fastest. I hand them out pre-cut and then the kids just paste them in. When the kids are cutting, I have little wastebaskets—one per group, and then kids use these to gather the scraps and then toss in the recycle bin. I also have little bins that have scissors, tape, glue, etc. Again—one bin per group. Worked very well last year.

Reply
Annette
7/1/2018 06:22:43 pm

Nicole I tried to cut what I could but to be honest as the year went on I had less time to cut fancy foldables. So, many times I just cut the page in half or thirds w/ a paper cutter and we glued or taped it in our composition book. If your using a spiral NB then you don't even have to cut the page. When I don't have time to cut the page in half I just find a way to fold it to make it fit. The kids were fine and I was less stressed. Hope this helps.

Reply
Tracey G
7/18/2019 04:22:08 pm

Thinking about starting a notebook grade. Do you have a rubric you use of some sort?

Reply
Math Giraffe link
7/24/2019 02:22:52 pm

Hi Tracey,
No- purely for completion. Just a quick scan through to be sure each lesson in order does indeed have notes, and what seems to be an appropriate amount.
A rubric would be great if you do plan to take points for neatness, etc. too, though! :) Great idea.
Have a great school year!
-Brigid

Reply
Dena K
8/16/2019 03:23:14 pm

I love this idea of grading notebooks during a test, but logistically, how did you record their notebook scores? Did you carry a clipboard? And if so, what did you do with the clipboard while you were thumbing through the notebook? I'm such a klutz, I'm afraid that I would be dropping things and disrupting the test!

Reply
Math Giraffe link
8/23/2019 10:59:14 am

Hi Dena,
No, just carrying the actual gradebook itself around the room. Since it just needs one number per child in the "notebook column," you can just hold the student notebook stacked on top of your gradebook. Flip through, then when you set the notebook down, you have only the gradebook in hand to write the score :)
I hope this helps. Just stack it together and keep it simple with one score per quarter. Have a great school year!
-Brigid

Reply



Leave a Reply.


    Archives

    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    March 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    April 2021
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    November 2019
    September 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014


    RSS Feed

    Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
    Click to set custom HTML
Proudly powered by Weebly
Photos used under Creative Commons from kellywritershouse, Robert-Herschede, University of the Fraser Valley, mrhayata, Iwan Gabovitch, nateOne, Franklin Park Library, rhymeswithsausage, US Department of Education, Edsel L, Larry1732, philwarren, peteselfchoose, Dean Hochman, BryonLippincott, AFS-USA Intercultural Programs, Nilsze, philosophygeek, VividImageInc, cantanima, dcysurfer / Dave Young