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Science NotebooksScience notebooks are a way students can keep a journal of their science projects and investigations. There are a variety of effective and creative ways this can be done. Having students keep notebooks is part of a national movement to emphasize the process and concepts of scientific inquiry, compared to having students memorize a dictionary of science facts. Purpose of Science NotebooksScience notebooks accomplish a number of goals.
Components of a Science NotebookEach inquiry should contain the key components of scientific investigation.To help make this process more concrete, some students do better if a writing prompt is given to help them communicate the different parts of the inquiry. The following should all be included: (Possible writing prompts are in parenthesis)
Types of Science NotebooksThere are a number of ways your science journals can be made and maintained.Handout Pre-made handouts can be given to the student. If the components listed above are included, it makes it easier for the student to formulate their writing. The advantage of the handout is ease of use. The disadvantage is that it it is a cookie cutter model, and not all experiments fit the model. The student may need more room or less room depending on the exact project. We have developed a two-sided handout that can be folded in half and made into a booklet. Click here for the FREE pdf workpage on for the components of a science notebook. Spiral Notebook A spiral or other bound notebook can be purchased and the student's writing can be included in it for each project. The advantage of the spiral notebook is that it gives the student as much room as needed for each project. The notebook also serves as a journal illustrating their progress through the year. There are a couple of disadvantages to this type of notebook. If a student makes a mistake, or spills something on their notebook, it effects the whole notebook. Teachers often see the usual childhood errors as a record that tracks the students progress. The student may view it with frustration, however. Another disadvantage is the fact that most notebooks will not be filled. If you have a 50 page notebook, and did ten science projects over the course of the year that each took two pages, it still leaves a lot of blank paper. That may translate into a feeling for some students that they didn't do enough. Unit Study Booklets Unit study booklets are often preferred by families and teachers who do unit studies. Booklets usually consist of a collection of 8 1/2 X 11 sheets of paper related to the unit study topic. They are often kept in a three-ring binder until the completion of the unit study. At that time, the student assembles the entire project, creates front and back covers (usually with art work) and binds or staples it. What is in the unit study booklet?
Lap books are popular with homeschoolers. They are a more three dimensional representation of a unit study. They can contain all of the information in the unit study booklet, but often with more artistic endeavor. They are fun to share with others and display at shows. Other IdeasHere are a few ideas for the science notebook for those using unit study booklets or lap books.
As with all other aspects of homeschooling, the science notebook can be an individualized, creative, and effective means of demonstrating the students' learning. Return from Science Notebooks to Matchcard Science Unit Studies
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