Science Notebooks, Log or Journal

“The purpose of science is to answer our

questions about the nature of the world –

whether we like the answers or not.”

Alan Leshner

Science InvestigationsInquiry-based investigation involves the scientific processes used in conducting investigations:

•Identify a problem or need•Propose solutions•Implement proposed solutions•Evaluate solutions•Revise solution as needed

Notebooks or Journals

Notebooks/journals are used to record

• Field notes• Reflections

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Types of Entries• Drawings

– Sketches– Scientific Illustrations – Technical Drawings

• Tables, Charts, and Graphs • Graphic Organizers • Notes and Practice Problems • Reflective and Analytical Entries • Conclusions• Inserts• Investigation Formats • Writing Frame

Scientists and their Journals

The first telephoneDrawing by Alexander Graham Bell, 1876

– (Series: Subject File, Folder: The Telephone, Drawing of the Telephone, Bell's Original, 1881 - 1966)

– used for patent – proved he was first.

– (you don’t need to be an artist!)

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Leonardo DaVinci

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A design for a flying machine, (c. 1488) Institut de France,

Paris

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonardo_da_Vinci

Excerpt from Journals of Lewis & Clark

White Salmon Trout(coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch),

March 16, 1806, Codex J, p. 133r

http://lewisandclarkjournals.unl.edu/read

Uses by Students

• To organize thoughts and information• To reflect• To refer to later for recall, use in reporting and

discussions• For self-assessment• To see the developmental progression of an

investigation• As an opportunity to work on expository writing • For future study or inquiry• As a resource for the creation of a final product• To help develop a habit of mind

Organizational Elements

• Title Page– Student Name– School– Teacher Name– Class

Organizational Elements

• Table of Contents – a working feature– Date– Title of activity– Page number

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Organizational Elements

• Organizational Features within journal– Page numbers– Date, time, location, description of weather, temperature,

length of time elapse for experiment– Activity title– Headings (Hypothesis, Observations, Results, Conclusions,

Reflections– Appendix

• Glossary

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Tips for ease of use• Keep the notebooks in one place in class• Maintain a master copy of everything in the

notebook• Model on overhead, model in the field, model

on a poster board • Use post-it notes to assist in finding a page• Have students use a rubric to evaluate• Use a document camera to display examples

of acceptable work• Have students check a partner’s work for

specific items

Uses by Teachers

• To identify evidence of student learning

• To identify students’ misconceptions

• To collect evidence of student growth over time

• To develop next steps for planning and teaching

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Notebook Scoring GuideNotebook Elements

3 Exceeds

expectations

2 Meets

expectations

1 Below

expectations

0 Unacceptable

Date

Time

Location

Title

Page #

Abiotic Data:

Temperature

Weather

Soil

Other

Name: Notebook Page #

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Notebook Scoring GuideNotebook Elements

3 Exceeds

expectations

2 Meets

expectations

1 Below

expectations

0 Unacceptable

Sketches Appropriate # of labeled sketches

Data Table Correct use of data table

Questions Generated

Open-ended question that can be investigated

Vocabulary Appropriate use of vocabulary words

Name: Notebook Page #

Resources• ASCD, (Dec. 2006, Jan. 2007) Educational Leadership:

Science in the Spotlight• Calhoun, J. & Mintz, E. (2004). Project Notebook. Science

and Children, Nov-Dec, 30-34.• Campbell, B. & Fulton, L. (2003). Science notebooks.

Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann• Gilbert, J. & Kotelman, M. (2005). Five good reasons to

use science notebooks. Science and Children, 43 (3), 28-32.

• Klentschy, M. NSTA, (2008). Using Science Notebooks in Elementary Classrooms.

• Shepardson, D. P., Britsch, S. J. (1997) Children's Science Journals: Tools for Teaching, Learning, and Assessing.

Resources

• Using Science Notebooks, Tucson Unified School District http://instech.tusd.k12.az.us/science/notebook.html

• www.nsta.org• www.sciencenotebooks.org

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