1. Get Ready to Take Notes (Before Class)
Review your notes from the previous class session before you come to class. This will help you
remember what was covered and get you ready to understand new information your teacher provides.
Complete all assigned readings before you come to class. Your teacher will expect that you have
done this and will use and build upon this information.
Bring all note taking materials with you to class. Have several pens and pencils as well as your
notebook.
2. Take Notes (During Class)
Keep your attention focused on what your teacher is saying. Listen for “signal statements” that tell you
that what your teacher is about to say is important to write in your notes. Examples of signal
statements are “The most important point…” and “Remember that . . . “Be sure to include in your
notes information that your teacher repeats or writes on the chalkboard.
Write quickly so that you can include all the important information in your notes. Do this by writing
abbreviated words such as med for medicine, using symbols such as % for percent, and writing short
sentences.
Place a ? next to information you write in your notes, but about whose meaning you are not sure.
3. Rewrite Your Notes (After Class)
Rewrite your notes to make them more complete by changing abbreviated words into whole words,
symbols into words, and shortened sentences into longer sentences.
Make your notes more accurate by answering any questions you had when writing your notes in
class. Use your textbook and reference sources to obtain the information you need to answer your
questions. If necessary, ask your teacher or other students for help.
Check with other students to be sure you did not leave out important information.
Having good class notes will help you to be better prepared for tests.
Strategy for Solving Math Word Problems
RQWQCQ is a good strategy to use when solving math word problems. Each of the letters in RQWQCQ stands
for a step in the strategy.
Read
Read the entire problem to learn what it is about. You may find it helpful to read the problem out loud, form a
picture of the problem in your mind, or draw a picture of the problem.
Question
Find the question to be answered in the problem. Often the question is directly stated. When it is not stated,
you will have to identify the question to be answered.
Write
Write the facts you need to answer the question. It is helpful to cross out any facts presented in the problem
that are not needed to answer the question. Sometimes, all of facts presented in the problem are needed to
answer the question.
Question
Ask yourself “What computations must I do to answer the question?”
Compute
Set up the problem on paper and do the computations. Check your computations for accuracy and make any
needed corrections. Once you have done this, circle your answer.
Question
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