Guided Notes Template: Free Examples & Generator for Every Subject
Ready-to-use guided notes templates with fill-in-the-blank formats and answer keys for science, math, history, ELA, and more. Copy, customize, or generate your own in seconds.
What Are Guided Notes?
Guided notes are instructor-prepared handouts that provide an organized outline of a lesson with strategic blanks for students to fill in during instruction. Unlike traditional note-taking, where students must simultaneously listen, decide what is important, and write it down, guided notes remove the guesswork and let students focus on understanding the material.
Also known as skeleton notes, cloze notes, or structured note-taking templates, guided notes are one of the most research-backed strategies for improving student engagement, comprehension, and retention across all grade levels and subjects.
Higher test scores with guided notes vs. traditional notes
Effective across all grade levels and subjects
Recommended accommodation for students with IEPs
Guided Notes Template Examples
Complete fill-in-the-blank guided notes with answer keys for six subjects. Click "Copy Notes" to use them in your classroom or customize for your specific lesson.
Photosynthesis
Science · Grades 5-8
Fill in the Blanks
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert __________ and __________ into glucose and oxygen.
The chemical equation for photosynthesis is: ___CO2 + ___H2O → C6H12O6 + ___O2
Photosynthesis takes place in the __________, which contain a green pigment called __________.
The two main stages of photosynthesis are the __________ reactions and the __________ cycle.
Light reactions occur in the __________ membrane and produce __________ and NADPH.
The Calvin cycle takes place in the __________ and uses CO2 to produce __________.
Factors that affect the rate of photosynthesis include __________, __________, and __________.
Answer Key
sunlight, carbon dioxide (CO2)
6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2
chloroplasts, chlorophyll
light-dependent, Calvin
thylakoid, ATP
stroma, glucose (G3P)
light intensity, temperature, CO2 concentration
Linear Equations
Math · Grades 7-9
Fill in the Blanks
A linear equation is an equation whose graph is a __________.
The slope-intercept form of a linear equation is y = __________, where m is the __________ and b is the __________.
Slope measures the __________ of a line and is calculated as rise over __________, or (y2 - y1) / (__________).
A positive slope means the line goes __________ from left to right. A negative slope goes __________.
The y-intercept is the point where the line crosses the __________. Its coordinates are (0, __).
Two lines are parallel if they have the same __________ but different __________.
To solve a linear equation, isolate the __________ by performing __________ operations on both sides.
Answer Key
straight line
mx + b, slope, y-intercept
steepness, run, (x2 - x1)
up, down
y-axis, b
slope, y-intercepts
variable, inverse
American Revolution
History · Grades 5-8
Fill in the Blanks
The American Revolution lasted from __________ to __________ and resulted in American __________ from Great Britain.
A major cause of the Revolution was __________ without __________, meaning colonists had to pay taxes but had no voice in __________.
The __________ Tea Party of 1773 was a protest against the __________ Act, in which colonists dumped tea into the harbor.
The Declaration of Independence was written primarily by __________ and adopted on __________, 1776.
The Declaration stated that all men are created __________ and have the right to life, __________, and the pursuit of __________.
The turning point of the war was the Battle of __________ in 1777, which convinced __________ to support the American cause.
The war ended with the British surrender at __________ in 1781. The Treaty of __________ (1783) officially recognized American independence.
Answer Key
1775, 1783, independence
taxation, representation, Parliament
Boston, Tea
Thomas Jefferson, July 4
equal, liberty, happiness
Saratoga, France
Yorktown, Paris
Literary Analysis
ELA · Grades 6-10
Fill in the Blanks
Literary analysis is the process of examining a text to understand its __________, techniques, and __________.
The __________ of a story is the central message or lesson the author wants to convey.
Characterization can be direct (the author __________ the character) or indirect (revealed through the character's __________, thoughts, and actions).
Common literary devices include __________ (comparison using like/as), __________ (comparison without like/as), and __________ (giving human qualities to non-human things).
The __________ is the sequence of events in a story: exposition, rising action, __________, falling action, and __________.
Point of view refers to who is __________ the story. First person uses __________, while third person uses he/she/they.
When writing a literary analysis essay, your thesis should state a __________ about the text that you will support with __________ from the text.
Answer Key
meaning, deeper messages
theme
tells about, words/dialogue
simile, metaphor, personification
plot, climax, resolution
telling/narrating, I/we
claim/argument, evidence
Nutrition & Food Groups
Health · Grades 3-6
Fill in the Blanks
The five major food groups are __________, __________, __________, __________, and __________.
__________ are the body's main source of energy. They are found in foods like bread, rice, and __________.
__________ help build and repair muscles and tissues. Good sources include meat, beans, and __________.
__________ provide energy and help absorb vitamins. Healthy fats are found in nuts, avocados, and __________.
Vitamins and __________ are nutrients the body needs in small amounts to stay healthy and fight __________.
The food guide recommends filling __________ of your plate with fruits and vegetables.
__________ is essential for the body. You should drink at least __________ cups of water per day.
Answer Key
Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Protein, Dairy
Carbohydrates, pasta
Proteins, eggs
Fats, olive oil
minerals, disease
half (1/2)
Water, 6-8
Three Branches of Government
Social Studies · Grades 4-8
Fill in the Blanks
The U.S. government is divided into __________ branches to prevent any one group from having too much __________.
This system is called __________ and __________, and it is established by the __________.
The __________ Branch makes the laws. It is made up of the __________ (Senate and House of Representatives).
The Senate has __________ members (2 per state), while the House has __________ members (based on state population).
The __________ Branch enforces the laws. It is led by the __________, who serves a __________-year term.
The __________ Branch interprets the laws. The highest court is the __________ Court, which has __________ justices.
The President can __________ a bill passed by Congress. Congress can override a veto with a __________-thirds vote in both chambers.
Answer Key
three, power
checks, balances, Constitution
Legislative, Congress
100, 435
Executive, President, 4
Judicial, Supreme, 9
veto, two
Types of Guided Notes
Choose the guided notes format that best fits your instructional style and learning objectives.
Skeleton Notes
An outline format with main headings and subheadings provided. Students fill in details, examples, and explanations under each section. Best for lecture-heavy lessons.
Best for: Lectures, textbook readings, content-heavy lessons
Cornell-Style Notes
A two-column format with cues/questions on the left and notes on the right, plus a summary section at the bottom. Encourages students to process and review material actively.
Best for: Middle and high school, study skill development
Graphic Organizer Notes
Visual frameworks like concept maps, Venn diagrams, T-charts, and flow charts with blanks for students to fill in. Ideal for showing relationships between concepts.
Best for: Comparing/contrasting, cause and effect, sequencing
Cloze (Fill-in-the-Blank) Notes
Complete sentences or paragraphs with key words removed. Students fill in missing terms as the teacher presents content. The most common and easiest guided note format to create.
Best for: Vocabulary-heavy content, definitions, factual recall
How to Create Guided Notes
Follow these six steps to build effective guided notes for any lesson, subject, or grade level.
Identify Key Learning Objectives
Review your lesson plan and identify the essential concepts, vocabulary terms, and facts students must learn. These become the content for your blanks.
Create the Outline Structure
Organize the content following the flow of your lesson. Use headings, subheadings, and numbered lists to create a clear hierarchy that students can follow.
Replace Key Terms with Blanks
Remove critical vocabulary, definitions, dates, names, and formulas, replacing them with blank lines. Keep enough context so students can determine the correct answer from your instruction.
Add Visual Supports and Organizers
Include diagrams, charts, graphic organizers, or labeled images where appropriate. Visual elements help students organize information and see relationships between concepts.
Include a Word Bank (Optional)
For younger students or those needing additional support, add a word bank at the top or bottom of the page. This scaffolds learning while still requiring active engagement.
Create the Answer Key and Review
Complete a filled-in version of the notes to use as your answer key. Test the notes by reading through them to ensure blanks are clear, content flows logically, and the difficulty level is appropriate.
Skip the manual work and generate guided notes instantly.
Try the Free GeneratorBenefits of Guided Notes
Research-backed advantages of using guided notes in your classroom instruction.
Improved Test Scores
Research consistently shows students using guided notes score 10-20% higher on quizzes and exams compared to students taking traditional notes (Konrad et al., 2009).
Increased Engagement
Guided notes keep students actively involved during instruction. The structured format gives students a clear task, reducing off-task behavior and increasing participation.
Reduced Cognitive Load
By providing organizational structure, guided notes free up working memory so students can focus on understanding concepts rather than deciding what to write down.
Built-In Differentiation
Teachers can easily create tiered versions: more blanks for advanced students, fewer blanks with word banks for struggling learners, and visual supports for ELLs.
Better Study Materials
Completed guided notes serve as organized, accurate study guides. Unlike self-generated notes, guided notes ensure students have captured all essential information.
Supports All Learners
Guided notes are an evidence-based accommodation for students with ADHD, learning disabilities, and executive function challenges. They level the playing field without lowering expectations.
Guided Notes by Grade Level
Adapt your guided notes strategy for different age groups. Here are specific tips for each level.
Elementary (Grades 2-5)
- Use larger font sizes and more white space
- Include word banks for every set of blanks
- Add pictures and visual cues next to blanks
- Limit to 5-8 blanks per page
- Use simple, short sentences around blanks
- Add check boxes for completed sections
Middle School (Grades 6-8)
- Introduce Cornell-style note formats
- Include 10-15 blanks per page
- Add reflection questions at the end
- Mix cloze-style and graphic organizer formats
- Gradually reduce word bank support
- Include space for students' own questions
High School (Grades 9-12)
- Use more complex organizational structures
- Include analysis and critical thinking prompts
- Add space for connections to prior learning
- Use 15-25 blanks with multi-word answers
- Incorporate primary source excerpts with blanks
- Remove word banks to increase rigor
Generate Guided Notes in Seconds
These templates are a great starting point, but every lesson is different. Use our AI-powered worksheet generator to create custom guided notes tailored to your exact topic, grade level, and standards.
Create Custom Guided NotesFree to use · No login required
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