Integrating Science Notebooks into FOSS By Megan Morgan

Why Notebook?  Real scientists write, record, and reflect using notebooks. A scientist’s notebook is a detailed record of scientific experiences, observations, and thinking—an integral part of the process of doing scientific work.

Why Notebook?  Notebooks can help students develop, practice, and refine their science understanding within core ideas, while also enhancing reading, writing, and communications.

What are the benefits of Notebooks?  Benefits to Students  Documentation  Reference Document  Cognitive Engagement  Benefits to Teachers  Assessment  Medium for Feedback  Focus for Professional Discussions  Refinement of Practice

When to Notebook?  Students are encouraged to use notebooks as scientists would in real life - before, during, and after all investigations.

Creating Notebooks  Notebook Organization  Page Numbers  Date and Title  Table of Contents  Index

Notebook Entries  Focus Question  Plans and Procedures  Predictions  Narratives  Drawings  Artifacts  Tables  Graphs and Graphics  Images

Focus Question  Gives the students a question to answer following their investigation  For example: What happens when rocks rub together?  Students can answer the focus question by writing a sentence or drawing a picture.

Plans and Procedures  Students provide a step-by-step plan prior to an investigation.

Predictions  Using the focus question, students can formulate predictions prior to or during the investigation.  Consider having the students use a frame for writing their prediction for example: “I think that _________ because _________.”

Narratives  Students tell in their own words what happened during the investigation.

Drawings  ABCD drawings  Accurate  Big  Colorful  Detailed  Labeled pictures

Scaffolding drawings will allow for varying levels of support for students at different levels.

Artifacts  Students can add three-dimensional products to science notebooks.  Theses products may include: rubbings, sand, minerals, or seeds.

Tables  Tables allow students to record data in an efficient way. For example to make comparisons of object properties.

Graphics, Graphs, and Images  Students can organize data in a logical and easy-to-use way by using a graphic such as a concept web or life cycle.  Numerical data can be represented by creating a graph.  Students can also include digital photographs of plants, rocks, or other results from an investigation.

Providing Support  Class Notebook  Scaffolds  Sentence or drawing starters  Frames  Notebook sheets  Think-alouds  Dictation

Accessing FOSSweb Content  Create an account at  Use the access code: AME2EL3656 to gain access to your grade content  Use the "Teaching Tools “ tab on the home page to find Language Arts Resources Including:  Science Notebooks  Science Centered Language Development