Notebooks

Directions for Notebooks:

Keeping an organized notebook is important, especially when you take survey courses such as this US History class. The material moves quickly, and should be kept in chronological order. If you follow the directions below, this should be an easy grade to maintain for the class. Notebooks will be checked randomly throughout the semester. For example, the teacher will say in class one day, "Please turn to Unit 3 Day 5." The **table of contents, date, objectives, quickwrite, and charts** will be checked __//**for that day only**//__ as your notebook grade. One lazy day can mess you up pretty bad - be sure to keep up with your organization daily!


 * 1) You must have a __//**notebook or binder**//__ that you use __//**for this class only**//__. Find one with a plastic, rather than paper, cover if you want it to stay intact the entire semester. Points will be deducted if you do not have the correct notebook and/or are using this notebook for other classes. If you need help with supplies, let the teacher or school counselors know outside of class.
 * 2) You may use the computer in any way necessary to help you study, but you must have a physical notebook with your work __//**written by hand**//__ in order to receive a notebook grade. Digital notebooks will not be accepted. Studies show that handwriting is correlated with increased memorization (for example, see this article on the subject). Poor handwriting is not an excuse to avoid the notebook. Always be sure your handwriting is __//**legible to anyone in the class**//__.
 * 3) __//**Skip the first ten pages**//__ of your notebook for the Table of Contents. You will record your work here in order to find information when you need to study. If the day for your random notebook check is not recorded in the table of contents, points will be deducted. The teacher should be able to use the table of contents to get to your information for the appropriate day. Open the "Notebook Setup" file below to see how to format your table of contents and get your notebook started.
 * 4) __//**Begin numbering**//__ your pages __//**after**//__ the Table of Contents. You do not have to number the entire notebook at once, but keep numbering as you work through it.
 * 5) As you work through the notebook, do not try to organize the material in sections. Just continue in the next empty space as we work through the course: Date, Title, Quickwrite, and Notes in order each day. See the "Notebook Setup" for an example.

How to set up the notebook. Remember, you will be handwriting this in a physical notebook, not recording on a computer. Digital notebooks will not be accepted.

Notebook Rubric (100 possible points):
 * Student is using a notebook or binder for this class only. (10 points)
 * Table of Contents is up to date and organized according to the example provided. (10)
 * Table of Contents contains titles that explain the topics being discussed in the notes and quickwrites. (10)
 * Table of Contents can be used to find the page number for the information that is asked for. (10)
 * Page numbers are complete and up to date, beginning with the page after the table of contents. (10)
 * Handwriting is legible. (10)
 * On the day that has been randomly chosen, student has __//**completed**//__ the following:
 * Date and Title (10)
 * Quickwrite question & answer (10)
 * Notes (10)
 * Summary (10)