Interactive Science NotebooksAdam Geller
Agenda
You may NOT,NOT , NOT take my notebooksPlease respect the supplies. I have to pay to replace them.Please ask questions… this session is for you to be successful.Sorry in advance, we’re moving fast… only 55 minutes. Ground Rules
Agenda
Scientists use notebooks in “real life”Research-based method for higher student achievementNotebooks allow development of ideas over time and in sequenceNotebooks let each student work on his or her own levelOngoing formative assessment toolThey’re FUN!!Why Science Notebooks?
Notebook assignments hit multiple learning styles Uses both structural and creative processing of student brainMultiple points of processing (this is key)The more they hear it, look at it, write it, the more likely they are to retain itVery impersonal science topics become personalized for student immediatelyBasic Theory
Agenda
My format is standardized for all studentsSome teachers take a laissez faire approach to organization and structure… your choice (however, not recommended)Organizing a notebook
Easy to tell at a glance what is missingSimple way for any student to find out what was done when absent (there are X other students with same notebook)Faster to grade… they’re all the sameTeacher’s copy can be general template without any answersSide benefit: teaches organization, planning and structureBenefits of standardizing
Nearly impossible to coordinate purchase and selling of an excellent quality notebookFree when reproduced at copy shop Copy shop will produce, staple and deliver to your door!Template files are production-readyNeed cover colors and quantity in emailCoordinate by school to expediteNotebooks free-for-allNote bene: Buy a heavy-duty stapler to reinforce the copier staples
In order to make notebooks a seamless part of class… supply your students with what they need
Publication kits
Scissors
Crayons/markers/colored pencils
Glue
Optional:
Post-it notes
Pencils
Pens
Highlighter
Plastic tubs are only real investment. Most other supplies can be gathered free from KidSmart (DonorsChoose.org for nice scissors)Publication kits
Agenda
Collecting notebooks would be a horrible idea because it would take horribly long to gradeDevelop your own assessment strategyDecide what the notebook representsDecide how much weight it will have in the gradeDetermine whether completing an assignment fulfills the purpose of the notebook for your classPlease, no more work!
Students grade each other’s notebooksRubric based point systemTeacher controls who grades which notebookAny student can ask teacher for regradeHow to prevent grade cheating… really dramatic explanation of spot checks of the notebooks. They know it’s possible because grader’s name is on grade sheet.My less-work strategy
Example rubricBonus of having kids grade… they discover before the grades are entered that you’ve tallied up the total pointswrong!Walk students through each assignment
Grading values completion…
Correct/wrong feedback given during homework checkGrade all notebooks in minutesStudents understand that the notebook completion really matters and affects gradeStudents use poor notebook check performance as motivation to get caught upHave insight on any students’ amount of work/effort for a parent conference without needing the work at handThis really works?
Agenda
You needPublication kit nearbyOne of each handoutWe’re limited by time, so our focus will be to cover the different types of set-up activitiesMaking a science notebook
Remember that we must TEACH our students about the notebooks just like any other system or procedure in the classroomTime spent at the beginning of the year on teaching the method and system will save countless time throughout the yearTip for Success
Manage the little pieces Photocopy multi-up on a sheetCut as much as possible with paper-cutterGlue little pieces into notebookStore extras in numbered hanging foldersTips for success
Sample sheets to copySee the picture-frame method demonstrated at http://scienceclass.blip.tv
On top line, PRINT your first and last name then put the periodIn space below, decorate using guidelines:Must say “Name’s Science Notebook” (like Mr. Geller’s Science Notebook)Use at least four colorsHave at least three pictures that describe youOne picture about scienceExample Cover Assignment
Right hand side = oddLeft hand side = evenNumber in top, outside cornersStart with 1, go to 10(With students, have them label in chunks, too)When finished, check your table partnerNumber your pages
We’re skipping…Page 1 is class expectations and syllabusPage 2 for me was a “poster” on class rules/procedure that they thought would be important for themPage 3 Signed Science Lab Rules contractPage 1, 2, and 3
Must model this for students before it will be a procedure and ultimately a habit.Students learn to take the topic from the notes, or from somewhere on board/PowerPointTable of Contents
Table of Contents2. Class Rules Poster4. Left Side Info6. Notebook Sides Poster8. Levels of Questions10. Observations Practice12. Procedure practice1. Class Syllabus3. Safety contract5. Right Side Info7. Assignment ideas9. Grandma’s House11. Qualitative and Quantitative Observations13. Writing a procedure
Find the sheets that say “Left side” and “right side”
Cut off the outsides – like a picture frame – for both at the same time
Four-corner glue
A dot of glue on all four corners
Left on page 4
Right on page 5Page 4 and 5

Interactive Science Notebooks explained

  • 1.
  • 2.
  • 3.
    You may NOT,NOT, NOT take my notebooksPlease respect the supplies. I have to pay to replace them.Please ask questions… this session is for you to be successful.Sorry in advance, we’re moving fast… only 55 minutes. Ground Rules
  • 4.
  • 5.
    Scientists use notebooksin “real life”Research-based method for higher student achievementNotebooks allow development of ideas over time and in sequenceNotebooks let each student work on his or her own levelOngoing formative assessment toolThey’re FUN!!Why Science Notebooks?
  • 6.
    Notebook assignments hitmultiple learning styles Uses both structural and creative processing of student brainMultiple points of processing (this is key)The more they hear it, look at it, write it, the more likely they are to retain itVery impersonal science topics become personalized for student immediatelyBasic Theory
  • 7.
  • 8.
    My format isstandardized for all studentsSome teachers take a laissez faire approach to organization and structure… your choice (however, not recommended)Organizing a notebook
  • 9.
    Easy to tellat a glance what is missingSimple way for any student to find out what was done when absent (there are X other students with same notebook)Faster to grade… they’re all the sameTeacher’s copy can be general template without any answersSide benefit: teaches organization, planning and structureBenefits of standardizing
  • 10.
    Nearly impossible tocoordinate purchase and selling of an excellent quality notebookFree when reproduced at copy shop Copy shop will produce, staple and deliver to your door!Template files are production-readyNeed cover colors and quantity in emailCoordinate by school to expediteNotebooks free-for-allNote bene: Buy a heavy-duty stapler to reinforce the copier staples
  • 11.
    In order tomake notebooks a seamless part of class… supply your students with what they need
  • 12.
  • 13.
  • 14.
  • 15.
  • 16.
  • 17.
  • 18.
  • 19.
  • 20.
  • 21.
    Plastic tubs areonly real investment. Most other supplies can be gathered free from KidSmart (DonorsChoose.org for nice scissors)Publication kits
  • 22.
  • 23.
    Collecting notebooks wouldbe a horrible idea because it would take horribly long to gradeDevelop your own assessment strategyDecide what the notebook representsDecide how much weight it will have in the gradeDetermine whether completing an assignment fulfills the purpose of the notebook for your classPlease, no more work!
  • 24.
    Students grade eachother’s notebooksRubric based point systemTeacher controls who grades which notebookAny student can ask teacher for regradeHow to prevent grade cheating… really dramatic explanation of spot checks of the notebooks. They know it’s possible because grader’s name is on grade sheet.My less-work strategy
  • 25.
    Example rubricBonus ofhaving kids grade… they discover before the grades are entered that you’ve tallied up the total pointswrong!Walk students through each assignment
  • 26.
  • 27.
    Correct/wrong feedback givenduring homework checkGrade all notebooks in minutesStudents understand that the notebook completion really matters and affects gradeStudents use poor notebook check performance as motivation to get caught upHave insight on any students’ amount of work/effort for a parent conference without needing the work at handThis really works?
  • 28.
  • 29.
    You needPublication kitnearbyOne of each handoutWe’re limited by time, so our focus will be to cover the different types of set-up activitiesMaking a science notebook
  • 30.
    Remember that wemust TEACH our students about the notebooks just like any other system or procedure in the classroomTime spent at the beginning of the year on teaching the method and system will save countless time throughout the yearTip for Success
  • 31.
    Manage the littlepieces Photocopy multi-up on a sheetCut as much as possible with paper-cutterGlue little pieces into notebookStore extras in numbered hanging foldersTips for success
  • 32.
    Sample sheets tocopySee the picture-frame method demonstrated at http://scienceclass.blip.tv
  • 33.
    On top line,PRINT your first and last name then put the periodIn space below, decorate using guidelines:Must say “Name’s Science Notebook” (like Mr. Geller’s Science Notebook)Use at least four colorsHave at least three pictures that describe youOne picture about scienceExample Cover Assignment
  • 35.
    Right hand side= oddLeft hand side = evenNumber in top, outside cornersStart with 1, go to 10(With students, have them label in chunks, too)When finished, check your table partnerNumber your pages
  • 36.
    We’re skipping…Page 1is class expectations and syllabusPage 2 for me was a “poster” on class rules/procedure that they thought would be important for themPage 3 Signed Science Lab Rules contractPage 1, 2, and 3
  • 38.
    Must model thisfor students before it will be a procedure and ultimately a habit.Students learn to take the topic from the notes, or from somewhere on board/PowerPointTable of Contents
  • 39.
    Table of Contents2.Class Rules Poster4. Left Side Info6. Notebook Sides Poster8. Levels of Questions10. Observations Practice12. Procedure practice1. Class Syllabus3. Safety contract5. Right Side Info7. Assignment ideas9. Grandma’s House11. Qualitative and Quantitative Observations13. Writing a procedure
  • 40.
    Find the sheetsthat say “Left side” and “right side”
  • 41.
    Cut off theoutsides – like a picture frame – for both at the same time
  • 42.
  • 43.
    A dot ofglue on all four corners
  • 44.
  • 45.
    Right on page5Page 4 and 5