Science Notebooks

Sometimes all it takes to get students excited about using science notebooks is to look at a few examples from real life.  This helps show students that actual "science notebooks" are different than "notebooks for science" - they are a collection of observations, questions, data and explanations that develop over time through investigations and really reflect their own understanding of science as it develops.

You can use the links below to explore some of the notebooks of these famous scientists. As you do, think about the following questions (and how they relate to what your student's notebooks might include):
 

Thomas Edison
Jane Goodall (video about Dr. Goodall and her data collection)
Leonardo DaVinci (really cool...make take a little time to load)
Marie Curie
Marie Curie  (second resource)

FOSS Notebook Folio - Suggestions for initiating or expanding your use of science notebooks, or gleaning ideas for improving student understanding through the use of science notebooks.  This is the printed folio you received from FOSS.

Graphically Enhanced Science Notebooks - A common mode of communication in the elementary classroom is the science notebook. In this article, the authors outline the ways in which “graphically enhanced science notebooks” can help engage students in complete and robust inquiry. Central to this approach is deliberate attention to the efficient and effective use of student-generated graphics as record keeping, meaning-making, and communication tools.

Just Like Real Scientists - How do you inspire students to keep records like scientists? Share the primary research of real scientists and explicitly teach students how to keep records—that’s how! Therefore, a group of third-grade students and their teacher studied the work of famous primatologist Jane Goodall and her modern-day counterpart Ian Gilby.

First Grade Record Keepers - Developing good record-keeping habits is essential for organizing, processing, and communicating experimental results objectively. Therefore, the authors designed an interactive method of teaching first graders to record, organize, and interpret data as they studied the life cycle of the spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum).

Making Meaning With Notebooks - Communication is vital to science and has a central role in inquiry—students of all ages need to have a place and a means to reflect on their ideas. Language becomes the primary avenue that students use to arrive at and communicate their scientific understandings, with notebooks as a primary means for them to apply that language and reflect on their ideas.

FOSS Notebook Folio - Suggestions for initiating or expanding your use of science notebooks, or gleaning ideas for improving student understanding through the use of science notebooks.  This is the printed folio you received from FOSS.

A Menu of Options - Armed with a few topical and organizational strategies, primary grade teachers can successfully introduce their young scientists to science notebooks. The following overview of notebook methods offers a menu of options to help you develop creative and meaningful science notebook experiences. Choose and customize what works for your classroom to provide students with the background skills necessary to inquire, observe, test, and report.

Science Notebook Essentials - This article focuses on the effective components of student science notebooks and their use as an effective teaching tool to assist students in developing a deeper understanding of science content.

Student Centered Notebooks - To recognize the benefit of science notebooks, they should be viewed as useful, personalized tools rather than an assignment. This article examines how the teacher can offer support while still ensuring that the notebook is personal to each student.

The Early Years: Documenting Learning - Children’s work documents their thinking and the details they note as they learn more. Over time, by drawing, dictating, or writing about their observations, children can reveal and deepen their understanding of science concepts.

Websites:
http://ebecri.org/content/toolkit - Another site with numerous links and resources to assist in setting up a science notebook.

www.ericdigests.org/2004-4/notebooks.htm - an overview article about science notebooks and their ability to improve achievement across the curriculum.

Why do we need to communicate in science?  Interesting and short article about how scientists work collaboratively and need a good way to communicate (Digital Science Notebooks): http://accelrys.com/materialsinnovation/?p=1215

https://www.readingrockets.org/article/science-notebooks - a collection of resources, ideas and accomidations for using science notebooks in the elementary classroom.

Keystone Resources:

B 090684        Using Science Notebooks in Elementary Classrooms

B 094488        Teaching Science with Interactive Notebooks

KM 010792     Science and Literacy; A Natural Fit