1. Using Science Notebooks as tools for teaching

2. Why Science notebooks? Important tools for practicing scientists
Provide practice writing
Everyday language
Scientific language
Students communicate with themselves
Students re-read their own writing
Enhance organization skills

3. Science notebooks enhance Science skills
Figure 1. Results of the Valle Imperial Project in science on science proficiency. From Klentschy et al

4. Science notebooks enhance language skills
Figure 2. Results of the Valle Imperial Project in science on English proficiency. From Klentschy et al

5. Components of Notebook
Before investigation
Describe/plan investigation
State question being addressed
Make prediction before investigation
Explain reasoning (i.e. hypothesis) behind prediction
Please note:
Often, stating the hypothesis is easier after making a prediction
But distinction should still be made.

6. Components of Notebook
During Investigation
Record Methods – What did you do?
Record Data in organized format
Make tables
Produce Graphs
Record observations
Answer Questions
Explain thoughts, ideas, new concepts that arise during investigation

7. Components of Notebook
After Investigation
Compare results to prediction
basic stats?
Hypothesis supported or falsified?
explain why or why not
use evidence from investigation
How could investigation be improved?
How could you learn more?
New questions, hypotheses, or investigations

8. Using the notebook Notebook is not the end product
Use notebook to produce other products
Posters, drawings
Summary
Paper
Using the notebook is key
Makes students re-read Notebook
Relies on Communication/organizational skills
Communication with “Future self”

9. Assessment Notebook is PRACTICE: De-emphasize right vs. wrong
Focus on how to improve
Requires teacher feedback
Focus assessment on:
Language use
Organization
Overall process of following, recording and analyzing investigation.
Open Notebook quizzes can:
target specific content goals

10. Content Assessment
Content knowledge and understanding best assessed using products of journal use.
A good notebook will lead to good products
summaries, posters, papers etc.
Content knowledge and understanding should be built into these activities
Use resources
explain concepts
etc.

11. Flexibility
Basic notebook can be easily modified to accomplish specific goals
Add specific questions.
What did you measure and how?
Add sections to focus on specific areas
process skills
Language development
Graphic organizers
Vocab review etc.

12. The lab report The lab report is used at higher levels
Fill-in-the-blank for lower levels
more freeform as term/class progresses
Notebook follows structure of lab report
Scientific papers are used at even higher levels
College, Grad school
Scientific paper follows same basic structure

13. Notebooks Prepare Students for Future Achievement
Pre-investigation
During investigation
Post-investigation
Lab report
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Scientific paper
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion