Interactive Science Notebooks
Math & Science Updates- March 2016
Research Behind Interactive Science Notebooks
- Engaging students with the opportunity to model the data collection forms that scientists use
- Giving the students a reference and resource that can be used throughout the year
- Allowing for communication between the teacher, student, and parent/guardian
- Providing another tool for the teacher to use as an assessment
- Enhancing literacy in the classroom
- Supporting differentiated instruction
The bullet points listed above are just a few of the reasons why having students keep science notebooks is an effective pedagogical strategy. Further, notebooks are very much aligned with some of the scientific practices in the Next Generation Science Standards, including planning investigations, constructing explanations, and obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information.
How to Set-Up the Interactive Science Notebooks
- This one is specifically for grades 3-6 but can really be adapted for the lower elementary grades: https://www.fossweb.com/delegate/ssi-wdf-ucm-webContent?dDocName=D567150
- This link provides information on how the NSTA suggests teachers use notebooks in the elementary classroom: http://static.nsta.org/files/PB209Xweb.pdf
- The link below provides other formats to be used but gives suggests for K-2 modifications: http://www.readingrockets.org/article/science-notebooks
How to Implement the Interactive Science Notebooks
http://www1.appstate.edu/~goodmanj/elemscience/notebook/notebooks.pdf
http://www.amazon.com/Science-Notebooks-Elementary-Classrooms-PB209X/dp/1933531037
**this is a listing to a textbook that can be bought on Amazon for less than $1
Grading Suggestions for Interactive Science Notebooks
**this one needs some adapting for grades K-3
Interdisciplinary Use of Notebooks
This is not just limited to science....
Vicky Pilitsis
Email: vickypilitsis@hvrsd.org
Website: www.hvrsd.org
Location: 51 South Timberlane Drive, Pennington, NJ, United States
Phone: 609-737-4000