Our Interactive Science Notebooks will be an integral part of our science journey this year.

By using notebooks, students model one of the most vital and enduring functions of scientists in all

disciplines – recording information, figures, and data. Scientists across the world record their observations,

data, and conclusions, as well as comments on their research, readings and reflections. They rely on their

notes, figures and diagrams when sharing their findings with colleagues and when preparing papers to share

their work with the scientific community. The notebooks of famous scientists such as Galileo and Einstein

have become part of the world’s cultural heritage.

A second reason for maintaining a Science Interactive Notebook is that it provides the student with a ready

reference for each unit as well as a resource to consult when reviewing materials at the end of the unit.

Keeping a notebook enhances students’ writing skills. It gives them practice in organizing material and in

expressing themselves clearly. At the same time, notebook writing can encourage students to connect

science with other areas of the curriculum. An Interactive Science Notebook also encourages creativity.

Extensions in the notebook can include any of the following; poems; cartoon drawings; figure drawings;

stories; songs; and notes from research on any given topic. Another advantage of the notebooks is that they

get students more involved in science. Students assume ownership of their notebooks. Students are required

to bring their notebooks with them to science class daily, to add work and review their notes. With each

new entry, their sense of pride in what they have accomplished grows. Their confidence in science learning,

as well as in their overall knowledge and skills, also grows. They are becoming life-long learners. Lastly,

the science notebook offers the teacher a unique means of assessing student progress in the classroom. The

notebook, beginning with the first lesson of the unit and continuing to its conclusion, is a tool that can be

used to assess the growth in students’ understanding of science as well as in their ability to summarize and

express their thoughts and feelings. So in actuality the notebook is a portfolio that students can share with

their parents and for teachers to have a cumulative record of their learning.

How does the notebook work?

Right Side “input” Pages: The right side is where common information is recorded that all

students must know. This is where you will find information that will be on the test. The right side

provides an opportunity for the teacher to model for students how to think graphically and how to

organize information.

Left Side “output” Pages: The left side is where students interact with and interpret right side

information into graphics, other writing forms, new ideas, and questions. The left side stresses that

just copying lecture notes is not learning. Students must internalize and re-express the information

in another format on the left side.

Page Set-Up

Left Page-Output Student Involvement (Showing Understanding and

Creativity)

The LEFT page demonstrates YOUR understanding

of the information from the left side page. Clearly,

just by writing down lecture notes does not mean you

will have learned the information. You must actively

do something with the information before you

internalize it. Therefore, you will work with the

concepts you LEARNED (on the RIGHT side), and

REFLECT with the information in creative, unique,

and individual ways (on the LEFT side). You can do

this by using illustrations, diagrams, poetry, colors,

cartoons, etc. You will also explore your opinions

and clarify your values on controversial issues,

wonder about “what if” hypothetical situations, and

ask questions about new ideas. The LEFT side helps

focus your attention and guides your learning of the

science content and concepts.Always use color and

organize information… It helps the brain learn!

Right Page-Input Teacher Involvement (Given Information)

The RIGHT spiral page is used for recording

class notes, discussion notes, and reading notes.

Typically, all “testable” information is found

here. The RIGHT side is also an excellent place

for the teacher to model how to think graphically

by using illustrated outlines, flow charts, and

other graphic organizers.

LEFT- SIDE EXAMPLES

Brainstorming

Concept Maps

Foldables

Graphic Organizers

Diagrams

Poems, Songs, Raps

Cartoons/Caricatures

Flashcard pockets

Metaphors

3-2-1 Reviews

Worksheets

Self reflections

Lab Analysis and Conclusions

Class work or teamwork activities

Outcome sentences:I learned…I

wonder…The important thing about…I am

surprised that…I rediscovered

Connections

Questions

Process Description

“Wanted” Posters (famous people)

Eulogy (famous people)

Graphs

Notes from research on topic

Lab Reflections (how could I have done that

differently?)

Mnemonic devices

RIGHT -SIDE EXAMPLES

Notes o Cool Powerpoint o

Movie/Video o Articles o Textook

Vocabulary words

Lab procedures

Data from Experiments

Worksheet Assignment

Textbook Assignment

Small/Large Group Discussion

The Process

Remember ALL work pages ..

1. are NUMBERED

2. DATED

3. are NEATLY SECURED (taped or glued)

4. have a TITLE,

5. LEFT SIDE has COLOR added to highlight important information or to add visual appeal.

Always take notes on the right hand pages. Left hand pages will be used for you to interact with

and process the information you took notes on in the lesson.

The best part of processing is it allows students to tap into their CREATIVE side. One of the most

important part about the “output” (PLACED ON THE LEFT SIDE) is the use of COLOR which

allows you to remember and make your own connections

Keep a master Table of Contents with dates and page numbers.

If you are absent, you must get the left &right-side input

Use colored pens, gel pens, or colored pencils when doing the left side activities. Color helps the

brain organize and remember information.

Each day you will place the date and topic title (I’ll give this to you) in the top corner of the page

Why do we do it?

Science Interactive notebooks will be used in this class daily to help you understand and remember

important scientific concepts.

Writing down notes does not mean that you have learned the information.

You must actively do something with the information before you really understand it.

You will organize as you learn. You will record ideas about every activity that you engage in

during a unit.

It gives you permission to be playful and creative in your responses without “messing up” your

notes. When you are creative, you will remember more.

Grading Guidelines

Your interactive notebook will count as a large portion of your quarter grade.

An important part of your notebook is its visual appearance. Your notebook should be neat &

colorful!

You may be allowed to use your notebook on some quizzes or tests (be sure to keep up with the

information, I may not tell you when this will happen!)

Some assignments that are in the notebook will be a separate grade

You are responsible for making up any missed information. You can get information from the

While You Were Out Corner, or Mrs. Larmour as I will be keeping a notebook with you.