Marine Science Mrs. Tucker

What is a Log Book?A log book is a permanent, written record of

the events of the day as recorded by the captain or navigator on a voyage. It includes the following information:

Location of the shipSoundings of water depth, tides and currentsCondition of the ship and crewCourse, heading and speed of the shipWeather and astronomical readingsObservations and discoveries

Famous Log BooksCaptain James Cook

Lewis and Clark

Steinbeck and Ricketts

Captain James T. Kirk

What should a Marine Science Log Book entry contain?The three “O ’s”1.Orientation: Day, Date, Time, Class period,

Location2.Observation: Weather conditions (temperature,

humidity, wind speed and direction, cloud formations, precipitation etc), Astronomical information (moon phase, significant planets and stars, sun rise and set times, holidays etc) and interesting events and insights.

3.Objective: Daily lesson plans, Standards, Prompts, Assignments, Plans, Discussions and Doodles.

How do I start?Log books are written in ink in a standard

composition book that can be purchased for less than a dollar at most stationary or sundries shops.

The first page is your title page and it should include all of the pertinent information about you, your course and how to get this book back to you if you become separated. This is your official record so it is very valuable and irreplaceable!

On the next page, add an introduction. Tell us about your journey so far; your interests and talents. Include information about where you are going and what you hope to get out of this adventure.

What’s next?

Table of ContentsSkip a page or two to organize your work into

units of time (weekly, monthly or quarterly) or travel (ports of call, each leg of the journey or important milestones) so that you can go back later and reflect on your accomplishments and make it easier for the reader to find a particular section. Make sure to highlight important events, maps, field trips, experiments, charts and illustrations.

What belongs in my Log Kit?

Packing for a journey…Large ziplock baggiePens and colored pencilsRulerTide tablesField guidesHand lens

Best Practices:You will use your log book daily at the start of

each class.A different student will be the “officer of the

watch” each day and report to the class on the weather etc.

I will collect a sample of log books each week to stay up on your progress.

You will create special log entries for field trips, lab activities and extra credit opportunities.

Life is an adventure worth recording!

“Follow your bliss, and doors will open for you that you never knew existed. Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls.” – Joseph Campbell