Science Notebooks Maximize Learning For All Students

Hello Fellow Notebook Enthusiasts!!

"Science notebooks are more than a collection of notes about science. Science notebooks replicate, to a certain degree, the notebooks that scientists keep. They contain plans, questions, quantitative and qualitative data, thoughts, explanations, analysis and more. The development of content through scientific practices drives the science notebooks for students." -Fulton

                                    Help Students Organize Their Thinking 

Question/Problem 

• Relate to “big ideas” and reflect standards  
• Are clear and concise 
• Can be investigated 

Prediction (when appropriate) 

•  Proposes a possible answer to question or problem 
• Connects to prior experience 
• Gives a reason “because” 

Data/Observation 

• Recorded in students’ own words 
• Are organized, accurate, complete and detailed 
• Includes appropriate tables, charts, graphs and diagrams 

Conclusion (Wrap Up) 

• Written in students’ own words 
• Answers question and supports it with evidence from investigation (data, observations) 
• Compares results with predictions (when appropriate) 
• Includes claim-evidence-reasoning statement (when appropriate) 
• Includes clear summary of meaning of the data 

Reflection 

• Generated by students 
• Includes “I Wonder” questions 

     This summer I attended a week long training around science notebooks, inquiry-driven learning and unpacking the NGSS. A resource we were given was a book" "Science Notebooks- Writing About Inquiry" by Lori Fulton and Brian Campbell. It was a very easy to follow book  based in research, and written by two science teachers. There are also chapters that interact with scientists and engineers and include exemplars of authentic science writing, and student samples. 

Recommended Reading to support this:

"Five Good Reasons to use Science Notebooks"-Joan Gilbert and Marleen Kotelman

Science Talk Primer by Sarah Michaels and Cathy O'Conner

Developing a Scientific Argument by Lori Fulton and Emily Poelter

                                                    Advantages for Students 

• Science notebooks are a learning tool for students to record their thinking and learning.
• Chronological record of an investigation 
• Record of questions and ideas for future investigation 
•  Learner-constructed reference and resource for later discussion, review, or final products 
• Rough draft with the primary audience being the student 
• Written reflections to clarify a student’s understanding of key scientific ideas 
• Opportunity to self assess/peer assess understanding of concepts or skills 

                                                      Advantages for Teachers 

• Science notebooks are a tool for teachers to support student learning. 
• Formative or summative assessment providing evidence of student learning in content, process, and ability to communicate 
• Portfolio of learning to be shared with peers, parents, partner agencies, and community. 
• Opportunity to teach specific skills related to writing, scientific inquiry or math 
• Integration of meaningful opportunities to practice expository writing 
• Planning tool for the direction of the next steps of instruction

As always, please leave comments in the blog to share how you are using Science notebooks effectively with your students, or questions you might have.

Reminder: November 5-6th is the Professional Learning for Disciplinary Literacy for Science at Marina Village. The exact room will be emailed out to all participants. If you are interested in attending please contact your administrator ASAP for permission, and secure a sub in AESOP. If you need more details about the learning opportunity please reference the PL catalog (also linked in the right hand side of the blog under resources.)

A great resource for inquiry