Tips for taking notes

[Olimolie]

Hi, I’m currently training to be a teacher volunteering in a local primary school and struggling to take notes and what to take notes of?
any tips and ideas would be much appreciated,
many thanks x

I'm not sure why you would be taking notes, if you are volunteering in a school ?

Wouldn't you be doing things, practically, rather than sitting watching ?

I can see you say you are training to be a teacher. What stage are you at ? What sort of training are you doing ?

I'm not sure I understand. Why do you need to take notes? You say you're volunteering, so I'm assuming this isn't an official placement as part of your training? Therefore I'd just get stuck in, supporting with anything they ask you to.

You'll naturally pick up good practice by observing lesson inputs: how the teacher manages the behaviour of the class, how the lesson is structured, resourced and organised, how different groupings are catered for etc. If you see anything note worthy by all means make a note, if you think you'll forget, but most things will naturally stick with you through experiencing the classroom environment for yourself. Don't waste the experience sat in the corner making reams of notes you'll likely never refer back to. The hands on experience of getting involved with the children will be far more beneficial.

I’m assuming you aren’t doing a PGCE. Is the volunteering to gain experience before applying for a training place?

To gain experience before going onto further education (College)

Further education as in A levels, or further education as in post graduate?

I can give you general advice about taking notes.

Firstly, work out what your objective is - what do you want to learn? For example, you might want to develop your understanding of how to structure a lesson, how to get over learning points, and how to manage the children. So I’d have 3 headings plus a general one. This could be a mindmap if you wish.

Just note bullet points rather than writing verbatim. However, asap write your notes up using your notes and your memory.

Conclude with the key points you want to remember.

Most note-takers use a laptop rather than handwritten notes.

As you learn, work on your objectives so that you’re clear on what you want to learn. This will help you observe more closely. Good luck!

So, volunteering so you can put it on your application ?

I would put your notebook away and ask the teacher you are shadowing what you can do to help.
Get there a good while before the school day starts. Stay at the end of the day. Ask for a list of things you can do in the classroom at any point if the teacher gets caught up elsewhere.

Yes I’m working in a school ATM and I want to take notes before I go off to college and to use later in life when I’m a teacher.

many thanks
Olin