Note-Taking Skills

1. Note-Taking Skills Step 1: Finding important information using colors.

2. Example: The world is filled with bugs, and some of them are quite helpful. One helpful bug is the spider. Spiders like the friendly garden spider eat other insects. A garden spider will eat pesky mosquitoes. The lady bug is also a friend. She eats aphids, little insects that kill plants. It is easy to spot a lady bug because many of them are bright red with black dots on the back. A third helpful insect is the praying mantis. Mantises eat Japanese beetles that can destroy roses. The mantis is not harmful to people, but with its legs it will grab the beetle and destroy it. Some of the most helpful bugs are the ones who pollinate flowers. Bees and moths are pollinators. They carry pollen from one plant to another. In fact, our planet needs all of these small, helpful creatures.

3. Go! - GreenWhat is the main idea or topic?

4. The world is filled with bugs, and some of them are quite helpful. One helpful bug is the spider. Spiders like the friendly garden spider eat other insects. A garden spider will eat pesky mosquitoes. The lady bug is also a friend. She eats aphids, little insects that kill plants. It is easy to spot a lady bug because many of them are bright red with black dots on the back. A third helpful insect is the praying mantis. Mantises eat Japanese beetles that can destroy roses. The mantis is not harmful to people, but with its legs it will grab the beetle and destroy it. Some of the most helpful bugs are the ones who pollinate flowers. Bees and moths are pollinators. They carry pollen from one plant to another. In fact, our planet needs all of these small, helpful creatures.

5. The world is filled with bugs, and some of them are quite helpful. One helpful bug is the spider. Spiders like the friendly garden spider eat other insects. A garden spider will eat pesky mosquitoes. The lady bug is also a friend. She eats aphids, little insects that kill plants. It is easy to spot a lady bug because many of them are bright red with black dots on the back. A third helpful insect is the praying mantis. Mantises eat Japanese beetles that can destroy roses. The mantis is not harmful to people, but with its legs it will grab the beetle and destroy it. Some of the most helpful bugs are the ones who pollinate flowers. Bees and moths are pollinators. They carry pollen from one plant to another. In fact, our planet needs all of these small, helpful creatures.

6. – Yellow (slow down)What is your first key point?

7. The world is filled with bugs, and some of them are quite helpful. One helpful bug is the spider. Spiders like the friendly garden spider eat other insects. A garden spider will eat pesky mosquitoes. The lady bug is also a friend. She eats aphids, little insects that kill plants. It is easy to spot a lady bug because many of them are bright red with black dots on the back. A third helpful insect is the praying mantis. Mantises eat Japanese beetles that can destroy roses. The mantis is not harmful to people, but with its legs it will grab the beetle and destroy it. Some of the most helpful bugs are the ones who pollinate flowers. Bees and moths are pollinators. They carry pollen from one plant to another. In fact, our planet needs all of these small, helpful creatures.

8. The world is filled with bugs, and some of them are quite helpful. One helpful bug is the spider. Spiders like the friendly garden spider eat other insects. A garden spider will eat pesky mosquitoes. The lady bug is also a friend. She eats aphids, little insects that kill plants. It is easy to spot a lady bug because many of them are bright red with black dots on the back. A third helpful insect is the praying mantis. Mantises eat Japanese beetles that can destroy roses. The mantis is not harmful to people, but with its legs it will grab the beetle and destroy it. Some of the most helpful bugs are the ones who pollinate flowers. Bees and moths are pollinators. They carry pollen from one plant to another. In fact, our planet needs all of these small, helpful creatures.

9. Stop! – Red(dashes and dots)What are the supporting details (e’s) for the key idea?

10. The world is filled with bugs, and some of them are quite helpful. One helpful bug is the spider. Spiders like the friendly garden spider eat other insects. A garden spider will eat pesky mosquitoes. The lady bug is also a friend. She eats aphids, little insects that kill plants. It is easy to spot a lady bug because many of them are bright red with black dots on the back. A third helpful insect is the praying mantis. Mantises eat Japanese beetles that can destroy roses. The mantis is not harmful to people, but with its legs it will grab the beetle and destroy it. Some of the most helpful bugs are the ones who pollinate flowers. Bees and moths are pollinators. They carry pollen from one plant to another. In fact, our planet needs all of these small, helpful creatures.

11. The world is filled with bugs, and some of them are quite helpful. One helpful bug is the spider. Spiders like the friendly garden spider eat other insects. A garden spider will eat pesky mosquitoes.The lady bug is also a friend. She eats aphids, little insects that kill plants. It is easy to spot a lady bug because many of them are bright red with black dots on the back. A third helpful insect is the praying mantis. Mantises eat Japanese beetles that can destroy roses. The mantis is not harmful to people, but with its legs it will grab the beetle and destroy it. Some of the most helpful bugs are the ones who pollinate flowers. Bees and moths are pollinators. They carry pollen from one plant to another. In fact, our planet needs all of these small, helpful creatures.

12. – Yellow (slow down)What is your next key point?

13. The world is filled with bugs, and some of them are quite helpful. One helpful bug is the spider. Spiders like the friendly garden spider eat other insects. A garden spider will eat pesky mosquitoes. The lady bug is also a friend. She eats aphids, little insects that kill plants. It is easy to spot a lady bug because many of them are bright red with black dots on the back. A third helpful insect is the praying mantis. Mantises eat Japanese beetles that can destroy roses. The mantis is not harmful to people, but with its legs it will grab the beetle and destroy it. Some of the most helpful bugs are the ones who pollinate flowers. Bees and moths are pollinators. They carry pollen from one plant to another. In fact, our planet needs all of these small, helpful creatures.

14. The world is filled with bugs, and some of them are quite helpful. One helpful bug is the spider. Spiders like the friendly garden spider eat other insects. A garden spider will eat pesky mosquitoes. The lady bug is also a friend. She eats aphids, little insects that kill plants. It is easy to spot a lady bug because many of them are bright red with black dots on the back. A third helpful insect is the praying mantis. Mantises eat Japanese beetles that can destroy roses. The mantis is not harmful to people, but with its legs it will grab the beetle and destroy it. Some of the most helpful bugs are the ones who pollinate flowers. Bees and moths are pollinators. They carry pollen from one plant to another. In fact, our planet needs all of these small, helpful creatures.

15. Stop! – Red(dashes and dots)What are the supporting details (e’s) for the key idea?

16. The world is filled with bugs, and some of them are quite helpful. One helpful bug is the spider. Spiders like the friendly garden spider eat other insects. A garden spider will eat pesky mosquitoes. The lady bug is also a friend. She eats aphids, little insects that kill plants. It is easy to spot a lady bug because many of them are bright red with black dots on the back. A third helpful insect is the praying mantis. Mantises eat Japanese beetles that can destroy roses. The mantis is not harmful to people, but with its legs it will grab the beetle and destroy it. Some of the most helpful bugs are the ones who pollinate flowers. Bees and moths are pollinators. They carry pollen from one plant to another. In fact, our planet needs all of these small, helpful creatures.

17. The world is filled with bugs, and some of them are quite helpful. One helpful bug is the spider. Spiders like the friendly garden spider eat other insects. A garden spider will eat pesky mosquitoes. The lady bug is also a friend. She eats aphids, little insects that kill plants. It is easy to spot a lady bug because many of them are bright red with black dots on the back. A third helpful insect is the praying mantis. Mantises eat Japanese beetles that can destroy roses. The mantis is not harmful to people, but with its legs it will grab the beetle and destroy it. Some of the most helpful bugs are the ones who pollinate flowers. Bees and moths are pollinators. They carry pollen from one plant to another. In fact, our planet needs all of these small, helpful creatures.

18. – Yellow (slow down)What is your next key point?

19. The world is filled with bugs, and some of them are quite helpful. One helpful bug is the spider. Spiders like the friendly garden spider eat other insects. A garden spider will eat pesky mosquitoes. The lady bug is also a friend. She eats aphids, little insects that kill plants. It is easy to spot a lady bug because many of them are bright red with black dots on the back. A third helpful insect is the praying mantis. Mantises eat Japanese beetles that can destroy roses. The mantis is not harmful to people, but with its legs it will grab the beetle and destroy it. Some of the most helpful bugs are the ones who pollinate flowers. Bees and moths are pollinators. They carry pollen from one plant to another. In fact, our planet needs all of these small, helpful creatures.

20. The world is filled with bugs, and some of them are quite helpful. One helpful bug is the spider. Spiders like the friendly garden spider eat other insects. A garden spider will eat pesky mosquitoes. The lady bug is also a friend. She eats aphids, little insects that kill plants. It is easy to spot a lady bug because many of them are bright red with black dots on the back. A third helpful insect is the praying mantis. Mantises eat Japanese beetles that can destroy roses. The mantis is not harmful to people, but with its legs it will grab the beetle and destroy it. Some of the most helpful bugs are the ones who pollinate flowers. Bees and moths are pollinators. They carry pollen from one plant to another. In fact, our planet needs all of these small, helpful creatures.

21. Stop! – Red(dashes and dots)What are the supporting details (e’s) for the key idea?

22. The world is filled with bugs, and some of them are quite helpful. One helpful bug is the spider. Spiders like the friendly garden spider eat other insects. A garden spider will eat pesky mosquitoes. The lady bug is also a friend. She eats aphids, little insects that kill plants. It is easy to spot a lady bug because many of them are bright red with black dots on the back. A third helpful insect is the praying mantis. Mantises eat Japanese beetles that can destroy roses. The mantis is not harmful to people, but with its legs it will grab the beetle and destroy it. Some of the most helpful bugs are the ones who pollinate flowers. Bees and moths are pollinators. They carry pollen from one plant to another. In fact, our planet needs all of these small, helpful creatures.

23. The world is filled with bugs, and some of them are quite helpful. One helpful bug is the spider. Spiders like the friendly garden spider eat other insects. A garden spider will eat pesky mosquitoes. The lady bug is also a friend. She eats aphids, little insects that kill plants. It is easy to spot a lady bug because many of them are bright red with black dots on the back. A third helpful insect is the praying mantis. Mantises eat Japanese beetles that can destroy roses. The mantis is not harmful to people, but with its legs it will grab the beetle and destroy it. Some of the most helpful bugs are the ones who pollinate flowers. Bees and moths are pollinators. They carry pollen from one plant to another. In fact, our planet needs all of these small, helpful creatures.

24. – Yellow (slow down)What is your next key point?

25. The world is filled with bugs, and some of them are quite helpful. One helpful bug is the spider. Spiders like the friendly garden spider eat other insects. A garden spider will eat pesky mosquitoes. The lady bug is also a friend. She eats aphids, little insects that kill plants. It is easy to spot a lady bug because many of them are bright red with black dots on the back. A third helpful insect is the praying mantis. Mantises eat Japanese beetles that can destroy roses. The mantis is not harmful to people, but with its legs it will grab the beetle and destroy it. Some of the most helpful bugs are the ones who pollinate flowers. Bees and moths are pollinators. They carry pollen from one plant to another. In fact, our planet needs all of these small, helpful creatures.

26. The world is filled with bugs, and some of them are quite helpful. One helpful bug is the spider. Spiders like the friendly garden spider eat other insects. A garden spider will eat pesky mosquitoes. The lady bug is also a friend. She eats aphids, little insects that kill plants. It is easy to spot a lady bug because many of them are bright red with black dots on the back. A third helpful insect is the praying mantis. Mantises eat Japanese beetles that can destroy roses. The mantis is not harmful to people, but with its legs it will grab the beetle and destroy it. Some of the most helpful bugs are the ones who pollinate flowers. Bees and moths are pollinators. They carry pollen from one plant to another. In fact, our planet needs all of these small, helpful creatures.

27. Stop! – Red(dashes and dots)What are the supporting details (e’s) for the key idea?

28. The world is filled with bugs, and some of them are quite helpful. One helpful bug is the spider. Spiders like the friendly garden spider eat other insects. A garden spider will eat pesky mosquitoes. The lady bug is also a friend. She eats aphids, little insects that kill plants. It is easy to spot a lady bug because many of them are bright red with black dots on the back. A third helpful insect is the praying mantis. Mantises eat Japanese beetles that can destroy roses. The mantis is not harmful to people, but with its legs it will grab the beetle and destroy it. Some of the most helpful bugs are the ones who pollinate flowers. Bees and moths are pollinators. They carry pollen from one plant to another. In fact, our planet needs all of these small, helpful creatures.

29. The world is filled with bugs, and some of them are quite helpful. One helpful bug is the spider. Spiders like the friendly garden spider eat other insects. A garden spider will eat pesky mosquitoes. The lady bug is also a friend. She eats aphids, little insects that kill plants. It is easy to spot a lady bug because many of them are bright red with black dots on the back. A third helpful insect is the praying mantis. Mantises eat Japanese beetles that can destroy roses. The mantis is not harmful to people, but with its legs it will grab the beetle and destroy it. Some of the most helpful bugs are the ones who pollinate flowers. Bees and moths are pollinators. They carry pollen from one plant to another. In fact, our planet needs all of these small, helpful creatures.

30. Go Back – GreenWhat is the conclusion?The conclusion will restate the main idea.

31. The world is filled with bugs, and some of them are quite helpful. One helpful bug is the spider. Spiders like the friendly garden spider eat other insects. A garden spider will eat pesky mosquitoes. The lady bug is also a friend. She eats aphids, little insects that kill plants. It is easy to spot a lady bug because many of them are bright red with black dots on the back. A third helpful insect is the praying mantis. Mantises eat Japanese beetles that can destroy roses. The mantis is not harmful to people, but with its legs it will grab the beetle and destroy it. Some of the most helpful bugs are the ones who pollinate flowers. Bees and moths are pollinators. They carry pollen from one plant to another. In fact, our planet needs all of these small, helpful creatures.

32. The world is filled with bugs, and some of them are quite helpful. One helpful bug is the spider. Spiders like the friendly garden spider eat other insects. A garden spider will eat pesky mosquitoes. The lady bug is also a friend. She eats aphids, little insects that kill plants. It is easy to spot a lady bug because many of them are bright red with black dots on the back. A third helpful insect is the praying mantis. Mantises eat Japanese beetles that can destroy roses. The mantis is not harmful to people, but with its legs it will grab the beetle and destroy it. Some of the most helpful bugs are the ones who pollinate flowers. Bees and moths are pollinators. They carry pollen from one plant to another. In fact, our planet needs all of these small, helpful creatures.

33. What Next? Step 2: Making a T-chart (2-column notes)

34. 1. Make your T

35. 2. Add your topic T = Helpful Insects

36. 3. Add your first star T = Helpful Insects • Spiders

37. 4. Add your supporting details T = Helpful Insects • Spiders • Eat other insects • Garden spiders eat pesky mosquitoes

38. 5. Add your next star T = Helpful Insects • Spiders • Lady Bugs • Eat other insects • Garden spiders eat pesky mosquitoes

39. 6. Add your supporting details T = Helpful Insects • Spiders • Lady Bugs • Eat other insects • Garden spiders eat pesky mosquitoes • Eat aphids • Aphids kill plants • Easy to spot • Many are bright red with black spots on back

40. 7. Add your next star T = Helpful Insects • Lady Bugs • Praying Mantises • Eat aphids • Aphids kill plants • Easy to spot • Many are bright red with black spots on back

41. 8. Add your supporting details T = Helpful Insects • Lady Bugs • Praying Mantises • Eat aphids • Aphids kill plants • Easy to spot • Many are bright red with black spots on back • Eat Japanese beetles • Japanese beetles destroy roses • Mantis grabs the beetle with its legs • Not harmful to humans

42. 9. Add your next star T = Helpful Insects • Praying Mantises • Pollinators • Eat Japanese beetles • Japanese beetles destroy roses • Mantis grabs the beetle with its legs • Not harmful to humans

43. 10. Add your supporting details T = Helpful Insects • Praying Mantises • Pollinators • Eat Japanese beetles • Japanese beetles destroy roses • Mantis grabs the beetle with its legs • Not harmful to humans • Some of the most helpful • Include bees and moths • Carry pollen from one plant to another

44. All Done!Easy Shmeasy!(Mrs. Birnell might give you extra credit for telling her what register of language the above two statements are in!)