Interactive notebooks—some teachers love them, while others either haven’t figured out how to use them effectively or are unsure if they’re worth the effort.
If you find yourself in either camp, this blog post will help you make or solidify your decision and give you tips on how to make interactive notebooks work in your classroom.
First, let’s start with the two stories and reasons that prove they just might be worth the commitment (and glue sticks).
1. Building Confidence in Students Who Had Given Up
One of the challenges of teaching fifth grade is that by the time students reach this level, you often have several who have pretty much given up on learning.
This was the case for a lot of my students. They had solidified beliefs that they weren’t good at school. Despite being put in academic and after-school tutoring, that belief persisted.
Then came the interactive notebooks.
These notebooks helped students gain confidence because they felt like they had a personal resource they could use. I taught them that using their notebook was not only okay but that it was what made them learners.
I wanted them to use it, to rely on it, to make it their own.
I knew it was working and paying off when I heard about students bringing their interactive math notebooks to tutoring, pulling them out, and finding the exact page they needed to help them with their work.
That’s when I knew all the effort was worth it. I would do it again 100 times over.
2. Creating a Lasting Resource for Students and Their Families
Another challenging part of teaching fifth grade is that they leave you at the end of the year and move on to middle school. What does this have to do with interactive notebooks?
Well, sometimes we get the pleasure of teaching a sibling of a child we’ve already taught. One year, a sibling of a former student reaffirmed for me the power of interactive notebooks.
The former student had saved their interactive notebook, and their younger sibling brought it in to show the class.
I’d always told my students that these notebooks were a reference, a tool that would carry through with them, and that they were valuable for their learning. But I didn’t realize the actual impact until I saw the evidence of it right in front of me.
That moment solidified for me that interactive notebooks weren’t just a class activity—they were a tool that had a lasting impact on my students’ learning.
Making Interactive Notebooks Work in Your Classroom
So, how can you make interactive notebooks work in your classroom?
Here are some actionable steps based on what’s worked for me:
Set Expectations Early
From the beginning of the year, teach your students that their notebook is a tool and a reference. Make it clear that they are expected to use it. For example, before they ask me a question during independent work, I always ask, “Have you checked your notebook?” This reinforces that their notebook is their go-to resource.
Teach Efficient Cutting and Gluing
Some students aren’t very efficient with cutting and gluing, and that’s okay. At the start, I often cut a few students’ pieces as a model and show them how it’s done. I also try and make it a little fun. I gave team points for the fastest or cleanest cutting. This gave them incentive to learn to be more efficient.
Thumbs Up When Done
When we’re doing interactive notebook activities, I encourage students to put their thumbs up when they’re done. This also helps them learn to cut and and prep their notebooks quickly.
Use What Works Best for You and Your Students
Don’t feel confined to using a one-size-fits-all package. Sometimes the best part of interactive notebooks is when you don’t worry about everything matching or looking perfect.
Use whatever works best in the moment, whether it’s pre-purchased materials, student notes, diagrams, or just students taking notes. The beauty of interactive notebooks is their flexibility—use whatever resources are needed to meet the needs of your students without worrying about making them look polished or matching.
Build the Notebook Throughout the Year
We add to our notebooks regularly throughout the year. While it’s important to spend the time up front teaching them how to set up their pages and turn to the very next page, it’s also important to keep it going.
This way, the notebook becomes a living, breathing resource for students who may have never had that opportunity before.
Interactive notebooks are a commitment, but if you’re willing to put in the work, the impact on learning and students can be incredible.
Trust me, those glue sticks are a small price to pay for the impact you can make.
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