Re: Outlines

More | Report Post

My colleague does this so I've learned by watching her. One
problem is that many textbooks now have sidebars and 'bubbled'
information - if your textbook is that way, it makes it much
harder to outline. That sidebar information doesn't fit well
into the outline because it's 'extra' or 'enrichment' but it
drives the kids crazy trying to include it in an outline.

I'd suggest - you give them an outline and leave some blanks in
it. Put the main concepts as I. The Battle of Gettysburg (for
example) and stick to one main concept. (sorry - I teach history)

Then maybe four supporting details as A. Before the Battle B.
Three Days of Fighting and C. The Aftermath

But underneath your A, B, and C put 1.2.3. so the kids have to
find three facts of relative importance about A, B, and C.

I help my study hall students do their outlines assigned in my
colleague's class - she pretty much leaves it open-ended and
assumes the kids know how to outline (wrong) and that outlining
the chapter will embed the chapter's information in their minds
- wrong again - simply because they get so lost in the
outlining. And - as novices to the subject - they have no idea
what's really important or not.

If you give them a rough outline - and then leave them to fill
in some details - you'll be directing them and helping them to
know what is important in the chapter.

Those are my thoughts based on watching my study hall students
struggle with outlining assignments.
>
> I think that I'm going to assign this for the second
> semester, at least for a trial period, but I'm not sure what
> requirements I should include in it. For those who assign
> chapter outlines, what do you have them include in it?
> Definitions and key terms are what come to mind. Anything
> else? How long do you give them to complete it? How many
> points do you make it? What if you're not going to "cover"
> everything in the chapter? Do they still have to outline
> it? Exact requirements, as given to students, would be
> appreciated, but any info would be appreciated pertaining to
> the the topic. Thank you in advance! By the way, I have
> mostly college prep 9th and 10th graders in life
> science/biology and physical science.

Posts on this thread, including this one