AVID- Science Notebooks

Why use a science notebook? It is a way to help student build and expand upon their explanations Helps them communicate their reasoning and conceptual understandings They are a reference for their thinking, observations & understanding They allow for critical thinking by providing an outlet for freed of expression to approach scientific concepts & multiple perspectives

Expectations for Notebook All students are expected to bring the same spiral notebook daily to science class. The science notebooks are an integral part of their science grade and will be inspected/graded for accuracy and completeness. If they are staying on task daily this grade can be an “easy” grade (if they are absent-they are required to get the missing information for their notebook). Notebooks are graded usually twice a quarter.

What should it look like? The following pages give an example of what their notebook should look like. In and out questions are on the board when the students arrive and they are given time to write those questions down as I am taking role. They should continue to work on the “IN” question, as this will be our class kickoff discussion. By the end of class, they will have received the information to complete the “OUT” question. “Through” is what we are doing in class; lab, dissection, notes, video, Socratic seminar…the summary they can do at home as they review their notebook from that day

Science Notebooks In- Out- Through Date Identify 1 or 2 “awesome” times during the holidays. Out- Currently what are you doing on a daily basis in your science classes that is WIRC? Through Date Summary

The following is my final reason I believe in a science notebook and why I ask students to take notes in class

What will happen if I don’t take notes? What will happen if I take notes in class every day? What will happen if I don’t take notes? Nothing will happen. And after a few days of that kind of nothing, I start feeling comfortable with the nothing that I am achieving. Preparation will happen. After a few days of that kind of preparation, I start feeling comfortable with the feeling that I am ready to go.

Don’t Take Notes After a quarter of noting nothing that my teachers have to say, and feeling perfectly normal doing so, something else happens: I begin to lose my super powers. The ability to see through the walls of my school, to see myself out in the world living my dreams, gone. Do Take Notes After a quarter of noting what my teachers have to say, and feeling perfectly normal doing so, something else happens: I begin to use my super powers. The ability to see through the walls of my school, to see myself out in the world living my dreams, gives me confidence and hope.

Don’t Take Notes The power to see into my future, engaging in work that I love, clouded My imagination, always willing to run with life’s possibilities, is now hobbled, bridled, and reined in— and all because of nothing. Do Take Notes The power to see into my future, engaging in work that I love, excites me and helps me stay on task. My imagination, always willing to run with life’s possibilities, is absolutely racing– and all because of a simple decision to record and think about what I am being asked to learn.