A Progressive Note-Taking Challenge
Learn how historians capture and organize information through five progressive phases. This challenge takes approximately 25–35 minutes. You will earn a verified completion token upon finishing.
Both topics are drawn from North Carolina history. Select one to study for this challenge session.
The first documented gold discovery in the United States, 1799, Cabarrus County, NC
The oldest operating man-made canal in the United States, connecting NC and Virginia
Good notes are not full sentences copied from a page. They are short phrases that capture the most important facts. Read through the two methods below. You will use one of them when you play the game.
Cornell Notes divide your page into three sections: a narrow Cues column on the left (for questions or key terms), a wider Notes column on the right (for facts and details), and a Summary section at the bottom (for a one- or two-sentence recap). After reading, you cover the Notes column and quiz yourself using just the Cues.
Best for: lectures, textbook reading, any passage where you want a built-in study tool.
Read this example carefully. Left side = questions. Right side = short answers. No full sentences.
Left = question. Right = answer with facts and numbers. Bottom = your own summary sentence.
Row 1 is done for you. Now try rows 2 and 3. Write a question on the left. Write the answer on the right. Then hit Check My Work.
The question asks where. The answer gives the key facts only.
Left: write a question about how many championships he won. Right: write the number and the years.
Left: write a question about the Flu Game. Right: write the year, what he did, and why it was impressive.
Write 1–2 sentences in your own words. Do not copy from above. What is the most important thing to know about Jordan?
An outline organizes information from biggest to smallest. Roman numerals (I, II, III) are your main topics. Capital letters (A, B) are details under each topic. Numbers (1, 2) are the most specific facts.
Read this outline. Notice how each level gets more specific.
I, II, III = big categories. A, B = facts under each category. 1, 2 = specific details. Short phrases only.
Section I is filled in for you. Now fill in Section II about Jordan's career. Then click Check My Work.
I = the category name. A and B = two facts about that category. Short phrases only.
Fill in the category name and two facts about his career. Use the passage above.
Pick a method below and try taking notes on Michael Jordan. The structure is already set up for you — just fill in the facts.
Select a note-taking method to practice:
Fill in the Cornell template below. The left column is for questions or key words. The right column is for your notes. The bottom is for a one-sentence summary.
Fill in each blank in the outline. Roman numerals (I, II, III) are the biggest categories. Letters (A, B) are subtopics. Numbers (1, 2) are specific details.
When you are ready, continue to the NC History challenge. You will use one of these methods to take notes on your chosen topic at the end.
Click on the sentences you believe are most important for a historian's notes. Aim for the facts that capture who, what, when, where, and why it mattered.
Read the passage carefully. Then take notes using your chosen method. You will be graded on content (did you capture the important history?) and format (did you use the method correctly?).
Choose your note-taking method:
Copy and paste is disabled. You must type your notes.
Your verified completion token is below. Copy it now and submit it to your teacher.