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Does your class start like this?
” I forgot my…..”
“I can’t find my…..”
*sounds of frantic paper shuffling*
Are you tired of beginning every class this way? I was, too.
Enter: The Science Notebook.
What, exactly, is the Science Notebook?
A few decades ago, I started showing students how to organize class materials. Every student maintains a 2″ (at least) binder and 4 dividers (more if you decide you want more sections.) They bring the binder every day.*
It’s likely that not every student will have the needed supplies on Notebook Day. Best case, the school will provide binders, dividers, and paper. If not, I prepare for this the year before, by rummaging through trash cans on locker clean-out day. Students know I collect supplies so often just drop them off in my room now.
On about the 2nd or 3rd day of school, we assemble the Science Notebook. First, we consult the handout Creation and Maintenance of your Science Notebook for the list of materials. If anyone is missing anything, I dig into my stash of rescued binders and dividers and distribute them.
We then take a day in class to assemble the notebooks using the guidelines. This is time well spent as students start to see the importance of keeping a file of materials they will use throughout the year. We set up the Tables of Contents and file the papers that have already been distributed. We add some handouts that we will need over the next few days. Then, we review the directions together.
The first few weeks, students use the binder daily – for taking notes, annotating handouts or guided notes, collecting lab data, and recording their reactions to learning targets. This process will take some effort on your part as well. Students must bring the notebook every day. At the end of each class, be sure to take a few moments and help students file the day’s materials in the proper places.
A few super-organized students will file materials immediately, recording them in the appropriate table of contents. Most will need to be reminded.
You can make your own directions for binder set-up, or use the PDFs attached.
Here is a link to the handouts.
Creation and Maintenance of your Science Notebook.
*We do use Chromebooks for some things. Electronic files are only as good as their organization system. Even when well organized, students can only see what’s on their small Chomebook screen without much clicking and flipping of documents.