Science Notebooks The purpose of science notebooks is

Science Notebooks “The purpose of science notebooks is to build science content and process skills in a manner similar to the way scientists work while serving as a context for developing literacy. ” - Brian Campbell & Lori Fulton

It’s the Nature of Science By using notebooks, students model one of the most vital and enduring functions of scientists in all disciplines – recording information, figures, and data.

Why Notebooks for Teachers The use of science notebooks: ü Provides feedback to you regarding the lessons/activities the students are engaging in. ü A look at student entries provides formative assessment information to help guide your instruction. ü Provides insights into students’ thinking, misconceptions, and their procedural and conceptual understanding. ü Supports differentiated instruction, allowing students to work at their own level. ü Provides evidence of learning. ü Provides a record of learning and growth over time. ü Engages students in meaningful, purposeful and authentic tasks. ü Offers a convenient forum for teachers to provide feedback to students to help them improve their performance or develop deeper understanding.

Why Notebooks for Students The use of science notebooks: ü Provides a thinking tool. ü Assists in organization. ü Enhances literacy skills. ü Helps make sense of their observations and investigations. ü Provides a place to keep vocabulary words. ü Replicates how scientists in the field organize and document information and observations. ü Helps develop writing skills. ü Increases communication skills. ü Provides evidence of learning and a record of activities completed. ü Helps develop understanding of scientific processes.

Marzano’s Nine Instructional Strategies That are Most Likely to Improve Student Achievement 1. Identifying similarities and differences (notebooks) 2. Summarizing and note taking (notebooks) 3. Reinforcing effort and providing recognition (notebooks) 4. Homework and practice (notebooks) 5. Nonlinguistic representations (notebooks) 6. Cooperative learning (notebooks) 7. Setting objectives and providing feedback (notebooks) 8. Generating and testing hypotheses (notebooks) 9. Cues, questions, and advance organizers (notebooks)

Suggestions �Always use COLOR. . it helps the brain learn and organize information. �Use tab sections (Table of Contents; Bell work, Labs, Notes, Assignments, Vocabulary) �Attaching items to a notebook page, use tape or glue stix- NO staples. �Provide rubric for notebook and labs.

Starting Point Labs My question: _________ (Question/Problem) I think _____ will happen because ______ (Hypothesis) OR Based on previous results, I predict ______ (Prediction) I noticed/observed _________ (Observation) What did the results tell you? _____ (Conclusion) I discovered _____ (Reflection/Line of Learning) Questions I have now are ___ (Next Steps/New Questions)

Science Lab Components Date: PURPOSE: Objective or lesson topic QUESTION: Teacher or student generated that relates to the purpose PREDICTION/HYPOTHESIS: What you think will happen PROCEDURE: material, steps, data collection OBSERVATION: observe objects or events in a variety of ways using one or more of the senses and identify properties of an object, i. e. , shape, color, size, and texture. COMMUNICATING: notes, charts, graphs, drawings, diagrams, tables CONCLUSION: “This is what happened…. ”, “I noticed…. ”, “Our group or I found…” You should interpret your data and information. This is also a time to share. LOL (Lines of learning) Record and give details of new information that was learned.

The Contract STUDENT: I understand that my Science Notebook is where all my science class work, notes, vocabulary and labs are recorded. My science grade is dependent on the contents of my notebook. I will do my best to keep it organized, neat, and up-to-date. If I am absent, I understand that it is my responsibility to make up any work that I missed. I will make-up my work within three days of my absence. Student Name _________________ (Print) Student Signature SIGNED _______________ Date _______ Parent: I understand the purpose and importance of the science Notebook. Parent Signature SIGNED_______________ Date________

Special needs students. How do you modify for them? Help them scribe Copy blank data tables and graphs for them to glue in Pair them up with a stronger student they can copy from Allow kids to draw and label procedures instead of writing them Type out purpose, question, materials, and procedure for them

How do you deal with absent students Secretaries take notebooks to them to copy. If you have a smart board, mimeo or Power. Point Presentation print them out so they can glue or copy them in their notebook

What questions do you have about science notebooks today?

Rubric 16 12 8 4 A. Organization All sections dated and organized. Table of Contents complete. Most sections dated and organized. Table of Contents mostly complete. Some sections dated Most sections messy and organized. or unorganized. Table of Contents not of Contents missing. complete. B. Classroom Notes written properly. All information included. Notes not written properly. Most information included. Notes not written Many notes missing. properly. Some information included. C. Data, Charts, Drawings, and Experiments All entries complete and accurate. Most entries complete Some sections and accurate. complete and accurate. Many entries missing or inaccurate. D. Neatness All sections written neatly with attention to spelling. Most sections written Some sections neatly with attention to written neatly with spelling. little attention to spelling. Many sections messy with little attention to spelling. E. “Sum It Up” Writings All entries thoughtfully completed. Most entries thoughtfully completed, Some entries completed. Many entries missing. F. Behavior/Participation and behavior was appropriate during all lessons. Behavior was inappropriate during 1 lab or students did not participate often in class. Behavior was inappropriate during 2 lab lessons or student did not participate in class. Behavior was inappropriate during 3 or more lab lessons.

WRITTEN CONTENT DIAGRAMS DRAWINGS ORGANIZATION NEATNESS ADVANCED PROFICIENT DEVELOPING BEGINNING Uses words/phrases to communicate complete ideas in describing the event including details with evidence free of opinions. Appropriately includes scientific and mathematical terms. Uses words/phrases to communicate complete ideas in describing the event including details with evidence free of opinions. Incomplete/unclear communication of ideas using words/phrases. Event is only partially described. Includes opinions and conclusions not based on evidence. Incomplete/unclear communication of ideas using words/phrases. Does not describe the event. Work is incomplete and scattered. Drawing is neat with Drawing is messy or appropriate labels. It shows appropriate labels. Adds to missing labels. Is loosely action or change. the description of the event. connected to the event. Meaningfully adds to the description of the event. Drawing is messy or missing labels. Does not add to the description. Notebook is well organized with page numbers and dates on all entries. A Table of Contents clearly identifies major section breaks of work inside notebook. An index of important ideas is included. Notebook is organized with page numbers and dates on all entries. A Table of Contents helps find way through the notebook. Notebook has some Page numbers and dates organization but is missing are absent. Entries are not dates and/or page numbers. in order. It is difficult to find way through notebook. Great care is taken to make sure all work is neat and easy to read. Pictures add to the content, are neat, and well labeled. Cover displays inside content. Care is taken to make sure all work is neat and easy to read. Pictures add to the content, are neat, and well labeled. Work is difficult to read. If there are pictures, they are missing labels. Work is messy and very difficult to read. If there are pictures they are messy with no labels.

Resources http: //instech. tusd. k 12. az. us/Science/index. asp. Science Notebooks Writing About Inquiry. Brian Campbell & Lori Fulton. NSTA Press Using Science Notebooks in Elementary Classroom By: Michael P. Klentschy NSTA press $19. 16 - Member Price $23. 95 - Nonmember Price ISBN # 978 -1 -93353 -103 -8

Think as a scientist … Record as a scientist … And reflect as a scientist !

Let’s get started using a science notebook!!