THE POWER OF GUIDED NOTES IN MATH CLASS

​Let's talk about instructional methods in math class. Every educator has their own approach, and you know what? That’s great! There's no one right way to do it! It's all about finding what works best for you and your students. Maybe you already have a method that works, maybe you’d like to tweak it, or maybe you are looking for something different. So, I want to share my journey with you – why my "old" method just wasn't cutting it, and how my "new" approach has totally transformed my classroom.

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HOW I USED TO TEACH

Alright, let's rewind a bit and take a peek at what I used to do in my math classroom, and why, honestly, it just didn't work.

So, picture this: the trusty ole' textbook. Now, don't get me wrong, textbooks have their place, but relying solely on them for teaching? It was extremely boring. I found myself endlessly rewriting what was already there in the book, and let's be real, it was about as thrilling as watching grass grow. Plus, all that writing and note-taking? It was sucking up valuable time that could've been spent making math exciting with review activities, games, projects, and all the fun stuff!

And don't even get me started on the struggle of keeping absent students in the loop. Without any notes or guidance from class, they were left stranded, trying to piece together what they missed. It just wasn't fair to them, or to me, frankly.

HOW I CHANGED MY WAYS

Now, let me tell you about the game-changer: guided notes. I started creating them when I was finally fed up with the textbook. Here is what I learned since implementing them in my classroom:

1) Easier for Students: First off, they are a lifesaver for my students. Instead of scrambling to keep up with what I’m saying or copying down every little thing from the board, they simply follow along with the guided notes. It’s like having a roadmap for the lesson, leading them step-by-step through the material.

2) Improves Organization: Remember those messy piles of papers on students’ desks? Yeah, we've all been there. But with guided notes, everything is neatly packaged into a structured packet. No more lost handouts or jumbled notes – just pure, organized bliss.

3) Time Saver: We move through the content quicker. And you know what that means? More time for the good stuff – projects, extra practice, games, independent work, you name it!​​

4) Increases Engagement: Guided notes provide the structure and scaffolding my students needed to really grasp the concepts. This naturally keeps students focused and actively involved.

5) Aligned to Standards: They are standards-aligned, too! Because sometimes textbooks just have too much extra stuff. That's right, I can easily adjust or create guided notes to fit whatever standards or objectives we are tackling. Flexibility at its finest.

6) Absent Students: Oh, and remember those absent students? No worries anymore. With completed notes readily available, they can catch up on what they missed without skipping a beat. It is a win-win for everyone.

7) Teach with Confidence: Last but certainly not least, this method helps me teach with confidence. I feel more organized and reassured that my students will comprehend the content I’m teaching in each lesson.

Above, I pointed out some of my favorite outcomes from using this teaching style, but the list goes on!

WHAT RESEARCH SAYS ABOUT GUIDED NOTES

Do you want further information on guided notes? Here are links to articles that support the use of guided notes as a successful teaching method:

• Engaging Students with Guided Notes from the University of Michigan
• Engaging ELLs with Guided Notes
• Want to Improve the Effectiveness of Your Lectures? Try Guided Notes 
• Guided Notes: 5 Ways to Help Students Stay Focused, Engaged, and On Task

ARE YOU AN ALGEBRA 2 TEACHER LOOKING FOR GUIDED NOTES?

If you are, then you’re in luck! I have created lessons with guided notes for every Algebra 2 concept. You can find all the lessons, units, learning targets, activities, assessments, and more by clicking on the image below:

Want to try a few samples? Access my FREE resource library where you can download a few sample lessons AND activities for your math class!

READ WHAT EDUCATORS SAY ABOUT MY CURRICULUM

Attention to detail is incredible. Multiple opportunities for students to practice skills. Highly recommend product. –Betty M.

Very comprehensive. Videos and notes for so many topics. Very helpful to provide students with an asynchronous resource when not available for class.  –Seretha P.

This goes above and beyond my wildest expectations! This is so beautifully and thoroughly crafted. Great work! You have saved me hours of frustration. –Dorothy B.

I have only one regret and that is that I wish had purchased this curriculum earlier. It is an amazing resource tool. –Maria J.

My students found this resource very useful and accessible for their learning. It was easy to integrate with our usual resources & addresses several topic directly that are often missed in other resources. –Riana H.
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Good resource to use as a whole or to supplement your curriculum. Nicely laid out and easily insertable into your lessons. –Gerri D.