Using Interactive Science Notebooks in Elementary Education
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An Introduction to the Interactive Science Notebook
Do interactive science notebooks benefit student learning? Considering the brain needs to make connections for new memories, it stands to reason they do.
I used Interactive Science Notebooks while teaching 5th-grade science. I remember sitting at an NSTA conference and learning about interactive science notebooks thinking it sounded fun, returning to my class and quickly implementing it until I left 5th-grade science.
In addition, two semesters ago, my daughter took Biology 1102 in college. She’s always been a good student; however, this class was frustrating. For each test, they sent in a new grad student to lecture. In tears, she comes to me before the last exam pleading for help studying. She had notes, outlines, and flashcards. My advice was to go back to her fifth-grade year and make an Interactive Science Notebook. While other mothers and daughters were bonding over the season finale of The Bachelor, we were bonding over foldables, glue, colored pencils, and resting membrane potential. Quickly she picked up how the kinesthetic part was helping her learn. She was also a hit in her study group.
Being a Health Science Major making Interactive Science Notebooks became a way of life for her. I admit, I enjoy spending time with her creating her college Interactive Science Notebooks. This fall, we’re making Microbiology.
What is an Interactive Science Notebook?
- Interactive Science Notebooks are a unique way of notetaking, instead of a linear handwritten transcript of what is being taught. The teacher guides students in creating a colorful 3D book with drawings, diagrams, and foldables.
Why are Science Notebooks Important?
- Interactive Science Notebooks are creative.
- Provide a kinesthetic aspect to learning.
- Create a reference tool for learning.
- Students are engaged while learning.
- Students learn how to organize concepts while applying learning.
- Helpful in addressing individual student needs.
How to Get Started with Your Notebooks
- Plan each notebook
- Choose a notebook type.
- Get all your supplies.
- Personalize the covers.
- You can download free covers from my Resource Library.
- You can click here to join my Resource Library
- Number the pages and create a table of contents.
- Create a glossary.
Tips for Success
- My personal preference is composition notebooks. Even though they have smaller pages, I like that the paper is bound. Many elementary students have not mastered organization. Spiral notebooks and binders can easily rip and lose pages.
The last thing you need to know about Science Notebooks
Make a general plan for your notebooks before your year or unit starts. This will help you with grading and testing. In elementary school, I taught all three areas as a fifth-grade teacher. I used three composition books per student; one for Life Science, Physical Science, and Earth and Space Science. Be sure to read my post on how I set up my notebooks.
