Interactive Science Notebooks

Angela RoyalLisa Bryant

Central Wilkes Middle SchoolMoravian Falls, NC

8th Grade

What is an interactive notebook?

a tool students use to make connections, revise their thinking, and to deepen their understanding

shows both the content learned (input) and the reflective knowledge gained (output)

increases student thinking and achievement

What are the benefits of using interactive notebooks?

prepares students to be part of the 21st-century workforce

increases communication between stakeholders

differentiating instruction › Relevant and rigorous

Interactive Notebooks support effective instruction

Why do they work? This notebook style uses both the

right and left hemispheres of the brain to help students:› sort› categorize,› remember› creatively interact with the new

knowledge they are gaining

Create a Flow Chart Place these terms in the order that

shows how student benefit from interactive notebooking› Retain› Understand› Process› Reflect

How do they work?

Process Understand

ReflectRetain

How do I set up the notebook?

Each notebook has:› A designed cover that reflects the author’s

personality› An author’s page to give ownership› Resource pages

Model, model, model› I modeled the entire first unit› Then, depending on your class, you may

model, model, model as needed

What materials do I need? Notebook

› Spiral or binder Colored pencils Highlighters Glue and/or tape

For each unit Each unit begins with

› A Unit Cover Page› AHA connection pages

Odd numbered pages – teacher input Even numbered pages – student output

To end a unit Two options

› Self Reflection Paper› Research Paper

Students are allowed to use notebook on any assessment

How do I assess the notebook I use a rubric Organizational/management

› No loose papers› Spot check› Student choice

Formative/Summative› AHA – a reflection of what they learned› Self Reflection paper - summative

The Interactive Science Notebook will increase understanding of science by:

Using writing as a way to show thinking and explain reasoning

Allowing students to behave like a scientist Improving their ability to organize ideas

and information to help them study, and build a skill they will carry on to high school

Serving as a portfolio of scientific understanding

Is this applicable in other classes?

Novels Grammar/stems Math

Outside links: http://interactive-notebooks.wikispaces.com/   http://www.sciencenotebooks.org/   http://mysciencelessons.wordpress.com/category/

interactive-notebook/

  http://www.ericdigests.org/2004-4/notebooks.htm   http://www.nsta.org/publications/news/story.aspx

?id=57384

 

My Wiki Page cwmsroyal.pbworks.com

› Click on the “Interactive Science Notebook” link

› You will find: This PowerPoint Additional information

Handouts

Name:Birthday:Hobbies:Draw things that describe you on this page. You may also use photos, magazine cut outs, or computer art.(Ex. Favorite Food, Favorite Class, Pets, Family, Favorite Movie or Book, etc.)  

My Interactive Notebook Author’s Page

Your Picture

Here

Unit Cover Page Right – side page Includes the unit title Student illustrations

Unit #1:Inquiring Minds

AHA Connections Pages These two pages are a spread Provides a place for students to record

the key question and the summary statements about the major concepts they are learning throughout the unit

Most important pages of the unit because they are a reflection of students’ ongoing learning throughout the unit

What is Scientific Inquiry?

pp. 14 – 15

Scientists learn about the natural world through scientific inquiry. They ask testable questions,

design and perform investigations, and use the data

collected as evidence of their thinking. We modeled the work of a scientist with the mystery cube

activity…

pp. 18-19

A good hypothesis must be a logical, testable answer to

a scientific question.

Pp. 22-23

Scientists use the scientific method ,,,

Left Side ( Student Output) Right Side (Teacher Input)

How does a scientific question differ from other types of questions you may ask?

Science Starter Activity

Notes:• The work of a scientist begins with a

question.• A scientific question is one that is

precise and can be answered through…

• Mysterious M & M’s Activity• Observations using all senses• Break open candy and make a

drawing• Complete activity• Record observations in words and

drawings

Scientific Questions

precise

Based on observation

s

testable

Answered by

collecting evidence

Mysterious M & M’s: Questions You Could Investigate

A, ColorB, NumberC. Etc.

Self Reflection Students write a five-paragraph

reflective paper about their work during the unit› Count the number of assignments› Choose four that best supports the AHA

Justify choices by giving specific examples why these best support the unit AHA

› Paragraph rating their notebook› Paragraph about the notebook

Student Reflections

“My notebook is

organized, creative,

and colorful which

all helped me learn

with ease.”

“My notebook has helped me learn and discover new ideas “

“The (use of) color highlights key ideas and enhances understanding.”

Keeps me organized

“aha” summaries reminded me of what we learned each day and how they all tied in together …”

Connections

Individual and

unique