The use of Science Notebooks in the Exploratory Curriculum of Middle Level Science Created by: CT Erickson

Science Notebooks “ People don’t learn from their experiences; they learn from processing their experiences.” -Bob Garmston “…a science notebook becomes a central place where language, data, and experience operate jointly to form meaning for all students.” - M. Klentschy, 2008

What are science notebooks? Science notebooks are a place where students’ record their reflections, questions, predictions, evidence, and conclusions. These notebooks are not only a direct measurement of student understanding but also a means of informative assessment Science Notebooks: Writing About Inquiry by Brian Campbell & Lori Fulton

Da Vinci’s Science Notebook

Example of Science Notebook Lesson This teacher used these pages in order to describe the difference between physical properties/change and chemical properties/change. As you can see, the students are able to focus more on the information and less on putting the display together. Information Found on:

Five reasons Schools Should Implement Science Notebooks 1.Notebooks are Thinking Tools: Observations within science Interactions at a deeper level Increase in Metacognition

Five Reasons for Science Notebooks cont. BuildEvaluate 2. Notebooks show teachers where students are lacking: The use of science notebooks give teachers tangible ways to guide and change their instruction through student response. “Frog” Classroom Example Middle School Students often have trouble voicing academic concerns for fear of peer opinions. Notebooks give them a safe way to ask important questions

Five Reasons cont. 3. Notebooks allow teachers to tie curriculum areas together: Through the use of notebooks, teachers are able to use literacy, mathematics, and science within a scientific context.

Five Reasons Cont. 4. Notebooks allow for lesson differentiation- Drastically different ability levels Pictures and Tables Differentiation throughout materials

Five Reasons Cont. 5. Creates collaborative opportunities- Science notebooks give students tangible ways to share their ideas with their peers by setting up a similar piece of work. Turning Points discusses the importance of creating a community for learning.

Argument for Science Notebooks In Michael Klentschy’s book Using Science Notebooks in the Middle School, he states several reasons why Science Notebooks are incredibly beneficial for middle level students: 1.Creates a bridge 2.Allows for integration

Conclusion Science Notebooks are beneficial because: Thinking tools Show gaps in education Tie curriculum areas together Allow for differentiation Create collaborative oppurtunities

Science in the News Photo by Michael Woods/None Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Michael Woods --11/18/ Harp elementary 4th grader Marqwaveon Watson (left) checks out the 5th grade students (left to right) Dylan Rollins, Michelle Martinez, Reece Gilbert and Christian Wise reports on a variety of inventors and inventions Friday afternoon in Springdale. The 5th grade students Inventors fair gave younger students a chance to learn about a variety of inventors.

References Page This We Believe: Keys to Educating Young Adolescents by The Association for Middle Level Education Science Notebooks: Writing About Inquiry by Brian Campbell and Lori Fulton Using Science Notebooks in Middle School by Michael Klentschy Manning, M. L. (2002). Developmentally appropriate middle level schools (2nd ed.). Olney, MD: Association for Childhood Education International.