Procedure

1. SET UP Notes—Have each student write their name, class, and date in the upper right-hand corner, then add the title of their notes on the top line.

2. TAKE Notes—Ask students to write facts, details, explanations, definitions, etc., skipping a line between notes on separate topics. Students can use abbreviations, drawings, graphs, and pictographs. Students should use dots, dashes, numbers, letters, or color-coding to organize content, differentiate ideas, provide focus, and highlight key concepts. Remind students that spelling and punctuation are not important for STAR Notes.

3. ADD to Notes—Have students make additions, deletions, or clarifications. Have them highlight or underline important points, identify main ideas, and add symbols or pictures to enhance the notes. Lastly, they should add questions that can be used for studying or in a Socratic Seminar.

4. REVIEW Notes—Encourage students to review notes regularly (weekly or before an assessment). They can cover and rewrite the notes from memory, review them aloud, or work with an Elbow Partner. Students may also re-draft their notes for neatness and readability, if needed.