Windows Notes

Processing Fiction and Non-Fiction Texts

Jennifer
Watson
Kenneth
Vincent
Windows Notes: Presenters

According to Eric Jensen,

author of Teaching with
Poverty in Mind, the
number one strategy for
building capacity in students
is teaching note-taking and
study skills specific to content
and working memory.

Social interaction plays

an integral role in the
formation of thought as
our out loud speech
becomes our inner
speech. Lev Vygotsky

Windows Notes: The Rationale

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

7th Grade
8th Grade

Windows Notes: The Evidence

Windows Notes: The Structure

Windows Notes

{ For Fictional Texts

Using the notes to track Plot, Character, Theme and

Conflict
Using the Signposts to identify the significant details

Contrast and Contradictions

Words of the Wiser
Aha! Moments
Again and Again
Memory Moments
Tough Questions

The TEKS: 8.1, 8.6A, 8.6B, Fig 19B, Fig. 19C, Fig. 19D,
Fig. 19E

Instructional Focus

Contrast and Contradictions When the character does something

different from what you would expect, ask yourself why the character is
doing that.
Words of the Wiser When an older or wiser character gives the main
character advice, ask yourself what the lesson might be or how it will
affect the characters life.
Aha! Moments When a character suddenly figures something out or
understands something, ask yourself how that moment might change
things.
Again and Again When something is repeated in a book, ask yourself
why the author thought it was important enough to repeat.
Memory Moments When the action is interrupted and the author tells
you about a memory, ask yourself why the memory might be important.
Tough Questions When the character asks themselves a tough question,
think about what the tough questions makes you wonder.

Fiction Signposts defined

Windows Notes

{ For Non-Fictional Texts

Using the notes to track important details to facilitate

understanding
Using the Signposts to identify the significant details

Contrast and Contradictions

Absolute and Extreme Language
Numbers and Stats
Quoted Words
Word Gaps

The TEKS:

Instructional Focus

Contrast and Contradictions When the author presents

something that contradicts what you know or think OR
when the author shows you a sharp contrast between
people, groups, or ideas
Absolute and Extreme Language When the author makes
a statement that allows for no interpretation or seems
unreasonable
Numbers and Statistics When the author uses specific
numbers or statistical information
Quoted Words When the author uses a direct or indirect
quotation
Word Gap When the author uses a word you dont know

Non-Fiction Signposts defined

Your turn! Practice

identifying signposts and
filling in a Windows Notes
template.

Windows Notes: Application

What are YOUR aha! moments

today?
What will you take back to
your classroom from todays
presentation?

Windows Notes: Reflect