Notebooking in the Younger Years

A notebooking example for grades 1-3

Dear Mama,

Did you know you can start notebooking in first grade? It’s true. You don’t have to wait until your child is older to start notebooking. The intensity of notebooking may vary by age, but it can still be challenging at any age.

Let me show you how to apply Bloom’s Taxonomy and make notebooking challenging using The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter as an example.

1. Remember: Students recall basic facts and information.

   1. Who is the main character in the story?

   2. Name the characters in this story.

2. Understand: Students explain the story's idea or meaning.

   1. In your own words, tell me what happened when Peter Rabbit went into Mr. McGregor’s garden.

   2. Draw a picture of what happened in the story.

3. Apply: Students use their knowledge in a new or real-life way.

   1. Create a Warning Sign for other rabbits using three lessons Peter Rabbit learned the hard way about going to Mr. McGregor’s garden.

   2. Draw a map from Old Mrs. Rabbit’s home to Mr. McGregor’s garden.

4. Analyze: Students break down information into smaller parts, such as comparing and sorting information.

   1. Compare Peter's character with his sisters'.

   2. What is the effect of Peter’s disobedience?

   3. What was the cost of Peter Rabbit going into Mr. McGregor’s garden?

5. Evaluate: Students make judgments and choices.

   1. Was Peter Rabbit’s choice of going into Mr. McGregor’s garden worth it? Tell me why.

   2. Were Old Mrs. Rabbit’s rules fair and necessary?

6. Create: Create something new based on the lesson.

   1. Write an alternate ending to the story.

   2. Write an original sequel to the story.

   3. Draw an original map of the story.

If your student is still learning how to write, write down what he says and then have him trace it. This will also give him handwriting practice. You can also write down their answer on the chalkboard and have them copy it.

In the sample above, my first-grade student evaluated the story after orally retelling it to me and drew a map from Old Mrs. Rabbit’s home to Mr. McGregor’s garden. In the second example, my student evaluated why Old Mrs. Rabbit’s rules were fair and necessary, drew a picture, and drew a map.

This sample works for all grades, but I hope it shows how you can use notebooking with Bloom’s Taxonomy in the younger years too. Here's how to challenge your students and go beyond remembering and understanding.

Let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Warmly,

Mirley

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