The Power of the Notebook WDWWWWWWH?

Science Notebooks Notebooks are used to record ideas, thoughts, and questions that are generated as you work.

In the Lab Record lab work Record data Record observations Articulate questions but lab and science content List ideas for the classroom, for students, and for activities

Objectives Increase understanding of science concepts Writing as a process for discovery Improve information management Connect thoughts with writing

Using a Science Notebook with Students Record activities, data and observations Articulate thoughts, ideas and questions Start lessons with students Free writing

Translating your experience for students Notebooks and journals assist in the translation Summer notebooks and journals provide models

Notebooks versus Journals Less personal Functions as a resource Can be graded Support a wide range of strategies

Student Notebook Strategies Note Taking, Note Making Double Entry Journals Dialectic Journals My Answer Comprehension constructor Double-Strategy, Double-Entry Diary

Note Taking, Note Making 1. Divide a page in half 2. 1/2 Note Taking, 1/2 Note Making 3. Note Taking - direct from text 4. Note Making - includes questions and comments

Double Entry Journals Divide page in half: Direct quote and page number on left and on the right… This reminds me of … I wonder … I visualize … I’m confused because

Dialectic Journals Fold notebook page in half creating four columns One column for notes on text or idea One column for comments Pass the notebook to someone else Third column to make notes on text Fourth column for notes on notes

My Answer Comprehension Constructor Specifically targeted for science text Help students articulate what they are thinking Figure out how information connects To previous information To what the reader already knows

Double-Strategy Double Entry Diary Use with science articles, e.g., Scientific American, Science News, or newspaper. Personal connections to text Asking questions leads to inquiry

Nature Journals Drawing Writing Observing Flexibility Personal understanding

How to Begin a Nature Journal 2-3 sheets of notebook paper or drawing paper Pencils Clipboard or other firm backing Collection bags Appropriate clothing for nature walk

Entering Observation Name, date, place, time Weather First impressions Wind direction Cloud patterns, could cover

Begin Drawing Ground level observations Eye-level observations Overhead observations Whole-landscape observations Add labels Then…Write!

WDWWWWWH? Teacher to Student/Student to Teacher Create the environment Provide guidelines and examples Use in class or for specific activities In class, outside of class, for homework, to support sustained inquiry Structured/unstructured Short or long-term

Photo Journaling Choose a topic Have a goal Make a plan Journal by date or event

Processes of Science Observation versus inference Identification of details Data collection Presentation of data Record keeping

Is a Picture Worth 1,000 Words? Potential starting Points for Writing 1. List 5 nouns associated with this photo. 2. How would you describe the weather prior to this photograph? 3. If this photo was being explained to an insurance company, what do you think would be the story?

The first Photo- Journalist…Matthew Brady Potential Starting Points for Writing: 1. Write a headline for the article that would accompany his photo. 2. List 5 adjectives associated with this photo. 3. List 3 reference resources that would benefit by including this photo.

Interdisciplinary Connections Potential Starting Points for Writing 1. List 5 verbs associated with this photo. 2. Write a caption that would accompany his photo.

Photos in the Classroom What colors can you see? What part of the flower are we looking at? Where does this frog live? What can you tell me about this forest?