Discussion Notes

In order to earn bonus points, you have to take notes during our in-class discussions over reading assignments. You should fill more than one full side of notebook paper with observations on EACH of the two class meetings to earn bonus points for that week, but you must also take notes the whole period. You can write down things I say, things your classmates say, things you are thinking to yourself about the discussion, etc. Your notes will count for bonus points if they are detailed and full, you turn them in to me after each class, and you take notes this way in both class meetings in a week.

Discussion Notes

Conditions:

• You must show me these notes at the end of each classroom meeting.
• A page of notes with lots of white space or huge hand-writing is not really a full page, so fill more paper to account for lost space.
• Your notes should reflect that you took notes all period, not stopping when you "have enough." Bonus points will be awarded only if your discussion notes show a serious effort to be attentive and active for the entire class period.
• Balance your note-taking with participation in discussion.
• Do not simply write group discussion questions from the website and answers for your notes. Your notes should be your observations from the start to the end of your time in the classroom.

Content:

• Start a new sheet of paper for each day, and put the date of the class at the top.
• Write down the main topics that come up in class.
• Write down questions I ask the class and the various responses people make.
• Write down questions that you or your classmates ask and the various responses.
• Write down ideas that come to you about the work during our discussion.
• DO NOT copy down the discussion questions on the website.