ISN Set Up Part 2

Before I go into what I actually put on the first pages, I'm going to explain a little bit about the structure that I use.  There isn't a right or wrong way to do any of this, instead it just comes down to whatever works for you.

LEFT-RIGHT SIDE PAGES
When I set things up I use the right side as the "teacher side" and the left side as the "student side."  Some people use left and right sides the opposite way which works too.

So in my ISNs the right side is the "how-to" side.  When they are trying to look up information or remember how to do something this will always be on the right sides.

The left side is where I put some sort of activity that allows them to practice, apply or explain the skill.  I'll be completely honest in that these sides are not always spectacular.  For example, for integer rules I really want them to practice so the left side includes practice worksheets.  Other times I'll come up with a good creative activity that goes there.

PAGE NUMBERING
I use the same heading for both the left and the right side pages.  I just use the topic of whatever the skill is.  So instead of calling Page 9 "Integer Practice" and Page 10 "Integer Rules Foldable" I just name Pages 9-10 "Integer Rules."

I've seen ISNs that do it both ways, this is what works best for me.  If you are going to number the pages individually just make sure to leave enough blank pages in the beginning.

PAGE HEADINGS
Each day when the kids come in I have the page numbers and title written on the board and the kids know exactly what to do.  This takes a little bit of practicing in the beginning, but they catch on quick and then it's easy.

So when they come in they see this on the board:

They see this and know to do the following three things:

• First they open to their Table of Contents (TOC) and fill in what I have written.*I tell them NOT to skip lines because they will run out of room on the pages that we left blank*

• Next they copy down the vocab word into their Words Worth Knowing (WWK) section.  We also don't always have WWK and some days we have more than one, it all changes from day to day.

• Last they turn to the page where the notes will go and fill out the page number, date, and title on both the left and right side pages.  

Once they have those three things done I start with the lesson or activity.

I also keep this sign on the wall as a reminder of what a correct heading looks like.

This may seem like a lot to do, but in reality all I have to do is write the TOC and WWK on the board and the kids do the rest entirely on their own as soon as they come in.  All in all they're ready to go with all of this within 5 minutes.