Why Science Notebooking?
As teachers involve students in inquiry-based science investigations, the need to communicate science learning in new ways has become evident. If students are encouraged to communicate their understanding of concepts through science notebook writings, these notebooks can be an effective strategy to help students learn science. Research has shown that science notebook writing may also be a way for students to strengthen their language skills as they develop an understanding of the world around them. Science notebooks allow teachers to assess students’ understanding and provide the feedback students need for improving their performance.
Science notebooks contain information about the students’ classroom experiences and are encouraged to use them as scientists would, before, during, and after all investigations. They are a place where students formulate and record their questions, make predictions, record data, procedures, and results, compose reflections, and communicate findings. Most importantly, notebooks provide a place for students to record new concepts they have learned.
Sciencenotebooks.org
The purpose of sciencenotebooks.org is to support classroom teachers in their quest to use science notebooks in their classroom. Science notebooks can be used to help students develop, practice, and refine the science understanding, while also enhancing reading, writing, mathematics and communications. On this site you will find examples of student work from science notebooks - many from common used commercially developed science instructional materials, information to support the use of science notebooks, and strategies to use notebooks to integrate reading, writing, mathematics, and science.