How to Create an Interactive Science Notebook ISN

How to Create an Interactive Science Notebook (ISN)

Have you ever heard yourself say… • I can’t find my notes, homework, or old quizzes. • I cannot remember what we did in class yesterday. • I am sure it is in my locker…my book bag…my room…maybe… • I was absent last week, did I miss anything? ? ?

Well, here is your answer: Interactive Science Notebook! • An ISN is like your own personalized DIARY of learning about science. • A portfolio of your work in ONE convenient spot. This is great for studying for upcoming quizzes and tests. • A great ORGANIZATIONAL tool that gives you permission to be playful and creative in your responses without “messing up” your notes. • Allows you to act like a REAL SCIENTIST!

Real Scientists Use Notebooks

Left Side vs. Right Side: It’s Decided. • The notebook is divided into TWO sections. Left Side = Student Output Right Side = Teacher Input • The left side LOVES student work. This is the side that you can use to show me your creativity. This is the “output” or product side. • The right side is RESTRICTED to teacher “input” and contains only information given by Ms. Yearwood. Nothing else should be placed on the right side.

What goes where? Left Side: Student Output Lots of color The brain remembers things in color better Right Side: Teacher Input/Content Blue or black ink/pencil • Concept maps • Information given in class • Drawings • Lecture notes • Reflective writing • Lab activities • Questions • Video notes • Data and graphs • Summaries • Songs • Textbook notes • Poems • Procedures for experiments • Data from experiments • Classroom specific information • Cartoons or cartoon strips

Getting Started: Step 1 • On the cover, write your name, grade, and period number. • Then, draw a diagram of something that reminds you of earth, life, or physical science. (Choose science type based on class. )

Step 2 • Starting with the first page, number the first 50 pages. • Numbers should be small and at the top outside corner of every page.

Step 3 • At the top of pages 3, 4, and 5, write Table of Contents. • Divide each page into 3 columns, date, description, and page #. (Skip pages 1 and 2)

Step 4 • Add the following questions on page 2. • You will use these as open response questions.

Notebook Rules: • No ripped out pages or torn corners • No doodling that does not relate to science • Notebook should only be used for science class • Date and number every page • All entries must go into the Table of Contents • Be colorful and love your notebook!