Adapted from: Malcolm B. Butler, Ph.D. University of South
Florida St. Petersburg Florida National Geographic University
Training of Trainers Orlando, Florida April 7, 2011 Students
Science Notebooks Slide 2 where students can document their
scientific experiences in ways they think are important to them.the
consistency in recording information in the science notebooks adds
more rigor for students as they consider how the recorded
information accents their thoughts. Malcolm B. Butler, Ph.D.
Motivating Young Students to be Successful in Science: Keeping it
Real, Relevant and Rigorous The Science Notebook Slide 3 Writing
improves understanding of science content and process Improves
reading comprehension Provides opportunities to record
observational data and develop inquiry skills Emulates how
scientists work and share data Slide 4 How Do I Begin? Slide 5 Lets
Make Our Own Science Notebooks Slide 6 Question / Problem / Purpose
Student generated in own words Relates to purpose / Big Idea Clear
and concise Investigable Prediction Connects to prior experience Is
clear and reasonable Relates to a question Gives an explanation /
reason Components of a Science Notebook Slide 7 Planning Relates to
investigable question Has clear sequence / direction Identifies
variables / control States materials needed Data / Observations
Relates to question and plan Includes student generated drawings,
charts, graphs, narrative Organized Accurate Components of a
Science Notebook Slide 8 What Have You Learned? Student generated;
in own words Clear statement of what was learned Based on question
/ planning / evidence Next Steps / New Questions Student generated
Extension / new application of original question Researchable or
investigable Wow factor Can be recorded throughout Components of a
Science Notebook Slide 9 Recording of the Big Idea Slide 10 A
vocabulary list Slide 11 Use Blackline Masters for Review or
Introduction of Vocabulary Slide 12 You have to read this one
aloud! Slide 13 Scientific Methods and Processes Slide 14 You have
to read this one aloud! Slide 15 Slide 16 National Geographic
Science Sample Inquiry/Notebook Rubric Slide 17 Notebook recording
was a consistent feature of the classroom learning activities. Some
aspects of writing were closely monitored by teachers, while other
aspects were given little attention, especially in the form of
teacher feedback in the students notebooks. The notebooks seem to
be an accurate reflection of those aspects of inquiry that teachers
attend to (promoted by the teacher). In teacher feedback, little
indication is given of the quality of student thinking or
understanding. Slide 18 Slide 19 A few examples Slide 20 Big Ideas
Slide 21 Vocabulary Science Content Science Process Slide 22
Content Notes and Review Slide 23 Inquiry and Observations Slide 24
Model, Model, Model Teach students how to think & record (e.g.,
write and draw) in their Science Notebooks.
