Classroom Resources,Doodle Notes,TpT Products

Using Doodle Notes to Increase Engagement

Doodle NotesIt’s no secret that students learn in many different ways. No two students are alike so I am always looking for new ways for students to engage with the material and access different parts of their brains. And along came doodle notes.

 

Also known as “sketch notes”, doodle notes are a visually appealing and interactive way of taking notes that are simply a lot more fun than the Cornell style. Doodle notes are set up in a way that gives students visual aids to connect with the vocabulary of the task thereby increasing retention, as well as providing them with a kinesthetic way of taking down notes.

 

While lectures are boring and I stay away from them as much as possible, sometimes you just have to disseminate important information. Kids’ eyes start to glaze over, they sneak a peek at their phones under the desk, their eyes stare out the window. Sound familiar? With doodle notes, students are consistently engaged because as they are listening they can be coloring in their doodle notes. It gives them something interactive to do so they don’t check out, and it’s done wonders with my more fidgety students. It’s particularly useful for my ENL and IEP students.

Winnie the Pooh.png

 

I am currently working on an Animal Farm unit with my seniors, and to introduce the idea of fables I decided to show an episode of “Winnie the Pooh”. Why you might ask? Well, it’s a common theory that each of the characters in the show represents a different mental disorder. Pooh clearly has an eating disorder, Tigger without a doubt has ADHD, and Christopher Robin might be schizophrenic hanging out in the Hundred Acre Wood with his stuffed animals all day.

 

As we watched the episode, my students had to diagnose each character with a mental disorder, provide evidence from the episode that supported their diagnosis, and finally determine a moral of the story. You can purchase the doodle notes I created for this activity HERE. It can be difficult sometimes for students to pick up on the characteristics that animal characters are supposed to exemplify in fables, so I knew this would be a fun and engaging way to drill home the concept. I have never had my students so engaged with a video in my classroom before, and as we have moved further into Animal Farm this activity has given them the tools needed to analyze the book as a fable.

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It’s so important for students to access both the right and left sides of their brain, and when they can be married in the same activity you will see your students progress in strides. I highly encourage you to take a stab at creating doodle notes for the next big concept you want students to learn. They’ll thank you afterward.

Resources:

Analyzing the Fable Doodle Notes

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23 Comments

  • Reply
    A World of Language Learners
    February 26, 2018 at 4:01 am

    Love the visuals for English Language Learners!

    • Reply
      mrcspillsthetea
      August 15, 2018 at 11:46 pm

      That’s why I love these so much because they reach multiple types of learners!

  • Reply
    Tara
    March 5, 2018 at 10:16 pm

    This is a great idea! I’m sure your students love using Doodle Notes in class!

  • Reply
    Cristine
    March 9, 2018 at 12:04 am

    You have an awesome blog! I love your example of Winnie the Pooh and how you can use Doodle notes to increase engagement. I’m all for visuals and allowing students (and teachers!) to use them in note taking!

    • Reply
      mrcspillsthetea
      August 15, 2018 at 11:46 pm

      Thank you so much! They’re great for everyone which is why they’re so awesome!

  • Reply
    Sarah
    March 9, 2018 at 3:37 am

    This is an awesome idea! I may use it and watch Lion King before discussing Hamlet.

    • Reply
      mrcspillsthetea
      August 15, 2018 at 11:47 pm

      That would be a perfect idea! I hope it goes well.

  • Reply
    Angie
    March 22, 2018 at 2:58 pm

    I love the idea of doodle notes I’ve just never knew the best way to set them up. Thanks for the information.

    • Reply
      mrcspillsthetea
      August 15, 2018 at 11:47 pm

      You’re welcome!

  • Reply
    Amy
    March 22, 2018 at 7:10 pm

    I love this idea! My fifth graders are just learning how to take notes and I think they would benefit from this.

    • Reply
      mrcspillsthetea
      August 15, 2018 at 11:47 pm

      Give it a go!

  • Reply
    Amanda Koonlaba
    March 30, 2018 at 2:49 am

    Great ideas here. Love the blog title!

    • Reply
      mrcspillsthetea
      August 15, 2018 at 11:48 pm

      Thanks!

  • Reply
    Brooke
    March 30, 2018 at 3:00 am

    Brilliant! This would work great in a history class as well.

    • Reply
      mrcspillsthetea
      August 15, 2018 at 11:48 pm

      Definitely! It would work great for any subject area.

  • Reply
    Ashley
    April 5, 2018 at 6:03 pm

    I just attended a conference session about using doodle notes! I can’t wait to try them in my classroom!

    • Reply
      mrcspillsthetea
      August 15, 2018 at 11:48 pm

      Yay! I hope it goes well!

  • Reply
    Shelly Lott
    April 6, 2018 at 12:26 am

    I love using doodle notes! I’ve only used them a couple of times, but want to use them more often.

    • Reply
      mrcspillsthetea
      August 15, 2018 at 11:49 pm

      Same here. This was my first attempt but I want to try them out more.

  • Reply
    Erica
    April 13, 2018 at 1:05 am

    This is such a great idea to keep students engaged!

    • Reply
      mrcspillsthetea
      August 15, 2018 at 11:49 pm

      Thank you!

  • Reply
    Madhura
    July 3, 2018 at 8:57 pm

    Thank you. This is am awesome idea! Have to give it a go.

    • Reply
      mrcspillsthetea
      August 15, 2018 at 11:49 pm

      I hope it goes well!

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