I used the Advanced Communication Series by IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing.) It contains three DVDs: note taking, essay writing, and public speaking. It’s a video geared to the student. My kids watched them twice a year during high school, once when we started school, and once toward then end of our school year as a “reminder.” Instead of teaching note taking with ABC and 1-2-3, it teaches you to write your notes every which way, as you are hearing it. I thought it was very effective!
For note taking practice, we used college lectures from The Teaching Company (which are available at the library or on their website, www.teach12.com) The boys would listen to the college level lecture and take notes in real time using the concepts they used in the IEW tape. We tried to use college level lectures that my kids were actually interested in, so it wouldn’t be over their head. We started with the lecture “How to Listen to and Understand Great Music” and my kids LOVED it!
I hope that helps!

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Alice says:
Oh, Perfect! This is just what we need. Thank you (again!).
August 11th, 2010 at 6:15 pm