ISN Blank Templates

One of the big hurdles to implementing ISNs is the creation of setup pages and document templates.  Make no mistake about it - converting all the paperwork that you give to your students is no small task!  What I did along the way was that whenever I (or one of my fellow teachers also implementing ISNs) figured out a new way to fit a piece of 8.5x11", 8.5x14", or 11x17" sheet of paper into the 9.75x7.5" composition notebook, I made a blank template.  That way, if I needed to use that same template for another document, it is mainly: copy/paste/adjust formatting/print.

Well, why re-invent the wheel!?  I have created several templates, so I thought I would share them.  They are in MS Word 2003 format, but if that doesn't work for you, you can always upload them to Google Docs to convert them to another format.  Feel free to leave your own ideas in the comments at the bottom of the page

Some notes and tips about deciding which template to use:
  • If possible, choose a template that does not require the students to cut (faster)
  • Try to use the 8.5x11" templates before the others
    • You'll probably have more color choices
    • You won't have to figure out how to load weird size paper into your copier
    • Copies run faster on the regular sized paper
  • Templates that glue in flat make the composition notebook less thick
  • For assignments that span multiple pages (like perhaps a lab), you might use different templates for the various pages, but if you copy those pages in the same color (blue, green, etc) it offsets that assignment from others and makes it clear that those pages belong together
  • For templates that fold, try to choose them so that the page folds onto the notebook, not onto the desk (it makes it easier for students to write)
  • I have put almost all the cutting lines, folding lines, and template text inside the document header, that way the formatting doesn't get goofed up (unless you change the header or change the margins)
  • Don't change the document margins - you'll break the formatting of the template
  • For templates requiring cutting, cut them yourself on your paper cutter - it'll save class time

I have used fonts that are fairly universal or free:   (Times New Roman | Arial)

  8.5 x 11" Templates
Left Side Foldout Use this template on a left side notebook page.  When the student flips to the inside, this page will rest on the right side of the notebook, allowing the student to easily write on the inside.
Right Side Foldout Use this template on a right side notebook page.  When the student flips to the inside, this page will rest on the left side of the notebook, allowing the student to easily write on the inside.
Left Side Foldout
(2" top cut strip)
Use this template on the bottom a left side notebook page where you have a science starter (warmup) question on the top of the page.  The 2" cut strip will leave room at the top of the page for your science starter Q/A.
Left Side Foldout
(1" top cut strip)
Use this template on the bottom a left side notebook page where you have a science starter (warmup) question on the top of the page.  The 1" cut strip will leave room at the top of the page for your science starter Q/A.
7 x 9 Flip Up Use this template on the bottom of a notebook page.  When the student flips the page up, this page will rest on the  upper part of the same page of the notebook, allowing the student to easily write on the inside.  I use this one a lot for left-side output activities.  The cutting is easy to do on a paper cutter, reducing number of cuts to save time.
7 x 9 glue flat Use when you only need one side of the page printed.  The cutting is easy to do on a paper cutter, reducing number of cuts to save time.
Envelope I use this for my low-tech clicker cards, but you could use them for any flashcard.  Note: this has no closing flap, so sometimes the cards fall out.  I haven't taken the time to improve the design yet...
7" strip Use this to make skinny strips that you can glue in at the top of a notebook page.  Use for bell ringers, notes instructions, etc.  There's a cutting line along the right margin to make cutting easy.  I hand-write the page and gluing dots on the back of the master.
Flip left - 2 per sheet Use this template on a right side notebook page.  Use when you don't need quite as much room as a regular right side foldout.  It's a half page with a skinny glue strip of the back side.  It's a half page with a skinny glue strip of the back side.  Students kind of have a hard time figuring out how to glue this one in, so I don't use it very often.
Flip right- 2 per sheet Use this template on a left side notebook page.  Use when you don't need quite as much room as a regular right side foldout.  It's a half page with a skinny glue strip of the back side.  Students kind of have a hard time figuring out how to glue this one in, so I don't use it very often.
Half page glue flat - 2 per sheet Use when you only need a small amount on one side.  I hand-write the page and gluing dots on the back of the master. 
Quarter page glue flat - 2 per sheet Use when you only need a really small amount on one side.  I hand-write the page and gluing dots on the back of the master.
Envelope for Flashcards I use this to hold flashcards (like the ones I use in Peer Instruction), but they'll hold anything an envelope can.  Cut out the corners as noted, fold the side flaps so all the dots are on one side, put a drop of glue on all the dots.  Glue onto the top of a notebook page, that way if they forget to close the flap, it'll stick out of the notebook as a reminder.
Half page flip up - 2 per sheet Use for the "out" assignment on the bottom of a page.  Not as much room at the 7"x9" flip up, but uses half the amount of paper.  When the student flips the page up, this page will rest on the  upper part of the same page of the notebook, allowing the student to easily write on the inside.
Half page flip down - 2 per sheet Use this for the "in" on the top of a notebook page.  When the student flips the page down, this page will rest on the  upper part of the same page of the notebook, allowing the student to easily write on the inside.




8.5 x 14" Templates
Left Side Foldout Use this template on a left side notebook page.  When the student flips to the inside, this page will rest on the right side of the notebook, allowing the student to easily write on the inside.  Because it's on 8.5 x 14" paper, this template will give you a bit more room.
Right Side Foldout Use this template on a right side notebook page.  When the student flips to the inside, this page will rest on the left side of the notebook, allowing the student to easily write on the inside.  Because it's on 8.5 x 14" paper, this template will give you a bit more room.








11 x 17" Templates
Tri-fold This template gets you the maximum amount room for a glue-in template. You (or the students) will be cutting about 2" off the top of the document.
Half-size tri-fold This template gives you lots of room, and is suitable for use on the bottom part of the "out" page of the ISN.
















8 comments:

  1. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH! I have been thinking about using ISN but putting it off due to the formatting issues and the time I would have to put into coming up with workable solutions (I am a new teacher...) and both sets of templates are going to make it possible for me! I will let you know how they work out in a biology classroom and if you would like, send you any changes/addition that I make in order to adapt to my subject.
    Thanks again!
    Elisa

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  2. This is awesome! I've been doing ISN's with my AP Bio kids for 2 years now, and I'm always looking for new resources to use with them. This is going to be a huge help...thank you!

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  3. @ellie & lee
    Happy to share!

    -Boyd

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  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  5. Wow, these are excellent! Thank you for sharing!

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  6. Thank you so much for sharing! I am getting ready to start ISN next school year and am super excited to have as many resources as I can to get started!

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  7. I was really excited to look at these, but the links are no longer working. :(

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  8. Thank you! Most 8.5 x 11 links worked for me. =)

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