Well-organised notes can help students understand new information, remember key ideas and study more effectively. The LearnIt strategy ReadIt encourages purposeful reading. Students engage with a text to construct meaning rather than simply reading the words on the page.

How ReadIt works

Students begin by looking for meaning, identifying the main ideas and connecting new information with what they already know. They can then generate their own examples, which helps reinforce concepts and builds deeper understanding and critical-thinking skills.

Practical ways to use ReadIt

Eagle and Wolf: First, “fly” over the text to notice overarching themes, key ideas and patterns. Then “hunt” for keywords, concepts and relevant details. Connect these with existing knowledge and finish by summarising what has been learned.

Cornell Notes: Divide the page into two columns. Use the left side for keywords, headings and main ideas, and the right side for definitions and supporting notes. At the bottom, add a short summary of the page’s key learning.

Vocabulary: Record unfamiliar words, then discuss or investigate their meanings. Understanding subject-specific vocabulary is essential for comprehension and recall.

Timelines and KWL: For content involving a sequence of events, organise notes as a timeline. For a new topic, use a KWL chart to record what the student already knows, what they want to know and, after learning, what they have learned.

How parents can help

Encourage your child to choose the note-taking method that best suits the subject and task. You might ask them to explain their summary, define a keyword or show how new information connects with something they already know. The aim is not to produce perfectly neat notes, but to create a useful record that supports understanding and makes later revision easier.