Doodle Notes Examples & Ideas
If you are curious to learn more about the doodle note method, how it works, and what they may look like in different classrooms and subject areas, this is a great page to scroll through. The ideas, examples, and suggestions below will help you get started.
How to Use this Page of Samples:
This collection of images and videos will give you a general idea of what doodle notes are and what they look like. For a brief overview, simply scroll down to browse through the ideas and examples.
But if you would like to learn more, each image also works as a link to help you take the next steps. Just click on any idea or image that inspires you!
The ideas, information, and examples are collected into categories, starting with "What are Doodle Notes?" below. So first, scroll around and take a quick look at each category, and then if any of the ideas or examples looks like something you want to follow up on or take advantage of for your own students, you can come back to it to read more about it. Click on the images for links if you wish to check anything out further. There are a variety of different creative ideas that you can apply to your classroom and your own subject material. Have fun getting inspired!
But if you would like to learn more, each image also works as a link to help you take the next steps. Just click on any idea or image that inspires you!
The ideas, information, and examples are collected into categories, starting with "What are Doodle Notes?" below. So first, scroll around and take a quick look at each category, and then if any of the ideas or examples looks like something you want to follow up on or take advantage of for your own students, you can come back to it to read more about it. Click on the images for links if you wish to check anything out further. There are a variety of different creative ideas that you can apply to your classroom and your own subject material. Have fun getting inspired!
What are doodle notes?
"Doodle notes" (TM) are a unique visual note-taking method developed by Math Giraffe with built-in features that increase focus and memory by taking advantage of a collection of brain research, including Dual Coding Theory.
The doodle note strategy is rooted in Dual Coding Theory to maximize students' natural brain processes for combining visual and linguistic information. It integrates both hemispheres of the student brain and helps maximize focus, learning, and retention of the lesson material.
Click the images to explore more about the basics of visual note taking, or scroll down for a collection of sample images and videos.
The doodle note strategy is rooted in Dual Coding Theory to maximize students' natural brain processes for combining visual and linguistic information. It integrates both hemispheres of the student brain and helps maximize focus, learning, and retention of the lesson material.
Click the images to explore more about the basics of visual note taking, or scroll down for a collection of sample images and videos.
Visual note-taking can help your students to focus and remember your lesson material more easily. Click the image above to read the full guide for beginners, "Doodle Notes: Demystified" to get started in your own classroom.
One of the features that make the doodle note method so effective is the incorporation of interactive tasks. Go beyond the typical fill-in-the blanks! Embed plenty of different tasks that require students to sketch, color-code, do creative hand lettering for key words, and more. Click the image to watch a video with a bunch of examples of interactive tasks.
Each doodle note lesson has a customized structure centered around the organization of the particular lesson content. This way, students can visualize the page layout later when they are taking a test. This helps them to understand the ideas on a deeper level and also helps them to retain it so they can recall it when they need to.
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Doodle notes were developed around the concept of "visual memory triggers," which are a brain-based way to BLEND graphics and words to help the students convert the info from short-term into long-term memory. Click the image above to learn more.
These key features help activate the neural pathways in students' brains. The visual memory triggers help to make connections between the region of the brain that processes graphics and the region of the brain that processes words. This integration makes it easier for the lesson information to convert from short-term memory to long-term memory. Doodle Notes also have a variety of different interactive tasks.
As students interact with the blend of graphics and words, their brains focus on the lesson more effectively. This note-taking process incorporates both the right and left hemispheres of the brain. The brain hemisphere "crossover" leads to stronger learning and retention! Click the image to watch a time lapse video of this page in action.
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Examples of Doodle Notes in Different Subjects
Click the image above to browse pre-made math doodle notes by Math Giraffe.
Click the image above to see how Karla, a licensed doodle note creator, combines visual note taking with the Cornell note strategy.
Leah, a licensed doodle note creator, makes "Color-Fill Film Guides" so students can use the doodle note method alongside a movie in class. Click the image above to browse.
Click the image above to browse templates, stickers (shown above), and pre-made doodle notes by subject area.
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Click the image above to see examples from an interactive doodle note lesson.
Click the image above to browse pre-made religious doodle notes by Catechetical Chameleon.
Financial Literacy becomes much less boring (and more understandable) when it's laid out in a visual format and students can get creative. Click the image above to check out the full book for teens.
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Doodle Notes IDEAS
You can make your own doodle note templates by hand with craft supplies you already have around your house! Just plan your layout according to the topic you are teaching, number of subtopics, and relationship between the ideas. Make one as shown in the video linked above, then photocopy it to distribute. No tech skills or computer required!
Try using label paper to allow students to stick graphing templates, diagrams, and more in their notebooks. This way, they can build visual notes themselves easily and mark up the diagrams, color-code, add sketches, and interact in other creative ways. Click the image above for tips, ideas, and the free download.
Teach your students how to organize information with a visual structure. Click the image to learn how to do this and download the free template shown here.
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Doodle note stickers allow students to build their own structured visual note pages right inside their own notebooks! All you need are the templates (linked above) and a pack of full-page sticker paper. They can cut them out and there is no need for messy glue! It's an upgrade to the concept of interactive notebooks. (Video example and free samples are available at the link.)
Graphic organizers offer a bite-sized format for students to build a doodle note as a study guide. These smaller cards can be more approachable for students who are overwhelmed easily. Click the image above to watch one in action and see how this idea works. (The link to the downloadable set of 100 templates is inside the caption for the video.)
Try poster-sized doodle notes for a collaborative review! Click the link above for the materials shown here.
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Benefits of Visual Note Taking in the Classroom
The doodle note method can offer learning benefits for students with dyslexia. Click the image above to read more.
Incorporating creativity in the classroom can offer a boost in problem solving skills. Click the image above to learn more.
If these benefits, examples, or ideas would help your students, click the image above to get the free Doodle Note Handbook for Teachers.
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Doodle notes can be a helpful tool for students with ADHD. Click the image above to learn more.
Our brains process visual input and language input in two completely different areas. Information is stored in short term memory in each zone. However, to convert new learning into long term memory, we need to build referential connections between these two areas of the brain. Click the image above to learn how to use "visual memory triggers" and visual note-taking strategies to BLEND words and graphics to boost student retention.
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Using Templates to Teach ANY Lesson with Doodle Notes
Use "visual vocabulary" prompts to help students develop their own visual memory triggers. These are wonderful for a word wall, a vocabulary card deck, or a review guide. Click the image above for the downloadable templates.
Doodle Note Templates make it easy to teach ANY lesson with the brain benefits of visual note taking. Click the image above to watch, and be sure to read the caption of the video for more details.
There are so many ways to use doodle note templates! Click the image above for 15 different ideas.
Click the image above for a set of templates with a creative, artistic theme.
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These graphic organizers are like mini doodle notes for review! Each card in the deck of 100 templates is a manageable study guide. Students can select a half-page graphic layout that fits the content and create their own visual review guide. They'll keep & collect them as a reference. Click the image above for the downloadable deck of templates.
Choose a template that offers a layout with the right number of subtopics for your lesson. This one has 5, centered around an image where students can label where each of the 5 appears in their sketch. Click the image above for this set of STEM-friendly templates.
Click the image above for a set of templates with a fun comic theme
If you'd like to learn how to make your own visual notes for your classroom, click the image above to join the Doodle Note Club.
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If you love these ideas and examples, and want to give it a try, the DIY Doodles kit offers TONS of templates so you will have everything you need (and it's discounted!) Click the image above to see more details and check out what's included.