Interactive Biology Interactive Biology NotebooksNotebooks

Interactive Biology Interactive Biology NotebooksNotebooks

What are Interactive Biology Notebooks?

• A student thinking tool• An organizer for questions and what you

have learned in class• A way to access and process what you

have learned with various modalities (writing, drawing, discussion, etc.)

• A place for recording rough drafts• A formative assessment tool for teachers

Why Use Interactive Biology Notebooks?

• Improve organization skills• Improve opportunities for critical

thinking• Express understanding of material

creatively

Why Are We Using Interactive Biology

Notebooks?• Record data• Record notes• Study for tests• Track progress• Communication of thoughts and

learning

Biology Notebook Set-up

Notebook Supplies• Spiral notebook • Glue or glue stick• Pens and pencils• Scissors• Colored pencils or crayons

Right Side/Left Side; What Goes Where

Left SideStudent Output

Lots of colorConcept maps

DrawingsReflective writing

QuestionsData and graphs

SongsPoems

Data from experimentsCartoons or cartoon strips

Right SideTeacher Input/ContentBlue or black ink/Pencil

Information given in classLecture notesLab activitiesVideo notesSummaries

Textbook notesProcedures for experiments

Classroom specific information

The Left Side: Getting You to Think About Your Learning• Reflection; using guiding promptsWhat are you curious about?What would you like to test?What was the main idea?What are the important details to remember?How does this relate to your life?What don’t you understand?

Getting Started – Step 1

On the cover, write your name and period number. If you want, draw a diagram of something that reminds you of biology.

Step 2• Starting with the

first page, number the first 50 pages. Numbers should be small and at the bottom outside corner of each page.

Cover 1

2 3

Step 3• At the top of pages

3, 4, and 5 write Table of Contents. Divide each page into 3 columns: date, discription, and page number. (Skip pages 1 and 2.)

2

Table of ContentsDate Description Page #

3 Table of

ContentsDate Description Page #

4

Table of ContentsDate Description Page #

5

Step 4• Add the following

reflection questions on page 2. You will use these as open response questions.

• What are you curious about?

• What would you like to test?

• What was the main idea?

• What are the important details to remember?

• How does this relate to your life?

• What don’t you understand?

Examples

Graphic Organizers• Help organize thoughts• Assist with answering open

response and other types of questions

Fish Bones

Venn Diagram

T-Chart

Net

Wheel

Tree

Graphic Organizers• There are many different graphic

organizers you can use to organize your thoughts and what you learn in class.

• You may use any type of graphic organizer to help you remember information.

• At times you will be directed as to which type of graphic organizer to use.

We Are Ready!• Remember, always be sure to bring your

Biology Notebook with you to class!• Scientists write down everything they do,

so that they may remember what works, and learn from what doesn’t work. – You will also want to remember what you

learn in class, so that you may do well in Biology this year.