1. Science and FOSS Notebooks

2. Agenda What are Science Notebooks and why should we use them? Benefits
Notebook Formats
Notebook Set-up
Table of Contents
Vocabulary Index
Notebook Entries
Formative Assessmets
Next-Step Strategies: Assessment and Feedback
Embedded and Benchmark Assessments
Tips for Successful Implementation

3. What are Science Notebooks?
An organizer for inquiry questions and what is being learned.
It is a record of students’ questions, predictions, claims to evidence, conclusions and reflections.
Entries help teachers and students communicate using scientific language.
Develops a community of classroom scientists.
A tool for formative assessment.

4. Benefits of Science Notebooks
Benefits to Students
Benefits to Teachers
Organizes information for easy retrieval.
Helps students become comfortable expressing what they have learned and questioning what they do not understand.
Builds reflective thinking and opportunities for self-assessment.
Evidence of students’ learning over time.
Provides a medium for giving students productive feedback.
Allows teachers to identify misconceptions and therefore adjust instruction.

5. Notebook Format Notebook Cover or Title Page
Subject Title
Student Name
School Year
Class
Every notebook should contain:
Table of Contents
Numbered Pages
Entries: Date and Title
Glossary or Index

6. Set Up Your Notebook Create your table of contents:
Date
Title of entry
Page number
Safety Rules/Expectations
Number your pages

7. Table of Contents

8. Vocabulary Index Instructions
Turn to the last two pages of your notebook.
Fold the pages in half-vertically.
Draw a vertical line down the middle on the fold and three horizontal lines across.
Write the letters in the upper left hand corner of each box.

9. Vocabulary Index

10. Notebook Entries Every entry should contain: Date Page # Lesson Title
Focus Question
Observations
Predictions
Conclusions

11. Intermediate may include:
Notebook Entries
Primary may include:
Intermediate may include:
Drawings & Pictures
Samples with Labels
Data Collections
Graphic Organizers
Written entries
Vocabulary
Maps and Timelines
Drawings & Photographs
Tables & Charts
Written Entries
Graphic Organizers
Inserts or Artifacts
Analysis of Findings
Vocabulary

12. Notebook Entries

13. Making Sense of Data Sentence Frames/Prompts
Predictions:
I predict that ____________________.
I think that ______ will happen because ___________________.
The first thing we are going to do _______.
The next thing we are going to do is ____.
Finally, we will ____.
Data Collection:
I observed __________; therefore I think __________.
My evidence is ____________________.
The data show ____________________.
Conclusions:
So I think this means ________________________.
At first I thought ________________but I revised my thinking because the data showed __________. Now I think _______________________.

14. Formative Assessment Guide future instruction. Address misconceptions.
Analyze students learning process and their conceptual science understanding.
Provide feedback on student learning – during their learning.
Resource tool for future tests and assignments.

15. Embedded Assessment Cycle

16. Benchmark Assessment Cycle

17. Evidence of Student Learning
Their entries show the ability to organize.
Table of contents, glossary, title, dates…
Their entries show participation in science exploration.
Questions, observations, data collection…
Their entries show understanding.
Interpreting and analyzing data, communicating finding…
Their entries show extended thinking.
Applies skills to new situations, poses questions for future investigations

18. Next-Step Strategies Strategies for the Whole Class
Multiple-choice discussions
Line of learning
Review and critique anonymous student work
Key points
Class debate

19. “Got It/Needs Help” T-Chart
Collect the notebooks, and review students’ answers to the focus question to determine if they understand the concept of the lesson.
Got It! Needs Help

20. Tips for Successful Implementation
Start off small and model often.
Create a class book first.
Use sentence starters to get meaningful responses.
Read a few a week; this is their book.
Keep a notebook for yourself.