Download - Science Notebooks & Journals
Science Notebooks & JournalsA Teaching Tool for Science Classrooms
Popularity of Notebooks for Science Teaching
Teacher-recommended books
Campbell, B. & Fulton, L. (2003). Science Notebooks: Writing About Inquiry. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Klentschy, M. P. (2008). Using Science Notebooks in Elementary Classrooms. Arlington, VA: NSTA Press.
What is purpose of science notebook?
Assessment of student thinking Thinking tool for students Teaches organization skills Record of events for long-term projects Develops literacy skills – reading/writing Authentic skill used by scientists!
Brainstorm some ideas!!
Key Points in Planning to Use Notebooks
oMaterialsoOrganizationo ScaffoldingoMultiple types of InformationoAssessment…
MaterialsoA couple of options
o Custom made - multiple sheets, colorful cover, stapled or tied for binding
o Composition Books – traditional bound science notebook
o 3-ring binders – Allows students to add, remove and reorganize pages!!
Organizationo Table of Contents – 3-4 pages, allow
students to build as they go!o Pre-made pages for activities you
know you’ll usesoBlank pages inserted (binder is
nice!)oDraw, Date, and Label!o “I wonder…” entries!oRubric pages for entries/section
you’ll grade
Scaffoldingo Like other skills, journaling takes practice!
o Scaffold - Fade – Practice
o Scaffold – try “fill-in-the-blank” prompts for the first few days of a project or unit
o Fade – remove the prompts for later entries, instruct students to use same structure
o Practice – students use the structure for entries on a regular basis!
Multiple Types of Informationo Student writingo Drawings
Multiple Types of Information
o Calendar/Timeline
Multiple Types of Information
oData tableso Graphs
Multiple Types of Information
o Pocket pages – other “real” objects!!
AssessmentoWhat are the goals of your journal?
o Science content?o Science process?o Literacy skills?o Organization?
oRubrics – plan out what you will evaluate BEFORE students start their notebooks!
o Change over time!! Evidence of changing ideas, vocabulary, observations, skills!
o FEEDBACK!!!o Self-Evaluation – Have students evaluate their work
o “Which entry is your best work?”
Discussion Activity
oMeet with your groups to talk about your teaching at Burris o How could you have used Science Notebooks in your
unit?
For Next Week…
oRead the three articles Dr. Mitchell sent you!o Making Meaning With Notebooks (Klentschy)o A Menu of Options (Joyner)o Analyzing Children’s Science Journals (Shepardson &
Britsch)oQuiz next Tues. over the readings