Thoughtbook Resources

“If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others will do their thinking for them.”
--George Orwell
Read this 3-part blog series about note taking and creativity

Setting up a Thought Book

From binding your own books to organizing, these resources help you find various options on what to include and where to begin.

Recording Everything

Learning to observe and wonder, but then record thoroughly is one of the most essential habits to cultivate for any effective Thoughtbook user.

Analyzing Texts & Data

Following from the ability to observe and record, these resources are designed to help learners scrutinize and look closer to deepen understanding of information. 

Making it Your Own

Finding the joy in writing, and specifically recording thoughts (through poetry, collages, sketching, etc.), helps deepen appreciation, value, and relevance for all types of writing.

Generating & Developing Ideas

Generating ideas, especially in writing, is considered the most important college bound skill one can acquire--twice as important as the ability to analyze texts.

Planning, Connecting, & Organizing

Once information has been gathered, analyzed, and evaluated students must learn to plan and organize that information for use. Turning consumers into producers.

Expression

Self expression in writing is one of the most powerful tools in creating a writing culture. Here are plenty of ideas to help students become more mindful, see relevance in writing, learn coping mechanisms, and many other skills.

Synthesizing

Learning to put disparate pieces together into something unique and valuable is an essential skill for all creatives and comes as a result of making connections between previously conceived ideas. See how to foster a culture of creativity.

Academic Writing

Learning to craft a piece of writing like a chef cooks a revolutionary meal is developed upon a solid foundation of technique and experimentation carefully balancing the art and science. Like composing beautiful music, students learn to craft beautiful writing.

Additional Resources

Thoughtbook Assessment

Links coming soon
  • Rubrics
  • Knowing when to Assess
  • Assessment Methods
  • ​Assessment Tips

Digital Thoughtbook Tools​

  • CamScanner (App for scanning pages into PDF/JPG format in organized folders)
  • Paper by 53 (Digital notebook app) 
  • OneNote​ (Digital notebook use through browsers and app)

Articles, Books, & Videos
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Based on a work at design4catalyst.com.
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