Kindergarten Science Notebooks

Science notebooks have become a way for children to chronicle science experiences. For children as young as kindergarten a science notebook can become an exciting way to record the science experiences that occur. Kindergarten children can use an illustration to replace the words that older children use.

Before we even opened our science notebooks, the children dressed in lab coats, goggles, and proudly wearing the Super Scientist badge that was clipped to the lab coat, were photographed for several reasons: to include in the front of their notebooks, to share with their families, to display in our school hallway.

We had a Science Club meeting and talked about what science is and what a scientist is.Then we began work on our notebooks ....getting them ready for use.

ASSEMBLING THE SCIENCE NOTEBOOK

The photographs on this page show the elements in this science notebook. They are: Cover, Contract, Table of Contents, Bookmark/pocket for little science booklets.Not pictured: a photograph of each child was glued on the first page of the notebook, before the table of contents.

The cover can be any design you want.I found this label at ladybugs teacher files. on line. There are many others available as well. Or, you may wish to have your children draw a picture for the cover rather than use a pre-made label.

The contract states the behaviors expected from children during science activities. It is recommended that you send home the contract for the child and the parent to sign before placing it in the notebooks.

This contract can be found at the kindergartenkindergarten.com site You will love this site. There are a variety of ideas that may be of interest to you. The suggestions on this site are not limited to kindergarten; many are easily adaptable to other grade levels.

A book that can be helpful that was mentioned on the kindergartenkindergarten site is: Science Notebooks: Writing About Inquiry by Brian Campbell and Lori Fulton available at Amazon.com

The table of contents page is just a small table where children can keep track of what they are working on in class. It is suggested that you complete the topics for the table on your computer and let the children fill in the page number as you cover each topic, especially if you are using this with just the kindergarten child.

One of the most helpful parts of the notebook is the bookmark which is hot-glued or taped in the back of the notebook. The bookmark will help children mark where to begin each time the notebook is used.It will take time for them for children to learn how to use it but once they do, it is a life -saver. Also, in the back is a small pocket to place small science booklets you may give to children during a lesson. A large envelope could be used if desired.

What will we record in our notebook?

It will become obvious to you what to have the children keep track of in the notebook.

The first science activity we did this year was to plant dwarf pumpkin seeds back in August so they would be 'pumpkins' by late October or at least by Thanksgiving break. So, that was the first activity we recorded.

A small booklet was glued onto the third page of the notebook; that is where children began to keep track of the seeds growing. The first day, they drew the pot, with soil.The next time they drew a picture was about 5 days later when the tiny plant peeked above the ground. The next picture they drew was the day they actually planted them in their garden at school. How exciting to see them digging in the ground. They hauled the water in a gallon jug to water the plants. The plants are still growing!! This is always such a fun time for the children.. school children....public, private, home schooled...they all can 'grow' from this rewarding activity.

The booklet is pictured on this page; it is a little difficult to see but it is often used in other subjects as well. Fold a standard piece of white paper in half...'hamburger fold'. Cut three flaps...on one side of the paper. That way children have a flap for a number, word, picture, whatever you want there, and then, right below the flap is space for more information to be recorded. A very simple little booklet which can be such a time-saver, easy to understand and easy for children to use.

As you have reviewed your county's plan for the year, you know what you are teaching and in what order. Now, just decide what to include in the notebook. Since so much of science is hands on, twice a week is just about how often to use the NB, but, you know your schedule and your needs for your children.

The notebook is a valuable tool (sizzle, sizzle, tools dropping in your child's toolbox) when you meet with parents. You can show them why little Merry or Dillie's score was such and such.. What the child has done or has not done will be right there for you to share. And, at the end of the year, each child leaves with a book showing the hard work they have done.

This notebook model can be easily adapted for children through at least middle school Some tweaking would be needed but the basic plan is provided.

I must give credit to teachers in Marion County, Florida, who planted the seed for me on how to make a notebook. We had a workshop about science notebooks and the basic plan you see here is from ideas and suggestions they made. I did not to reinvent the wheel. Most of the work was done for me; all I had to do was implement the suggestions and tweak it as I chose. Hopefully this will be as helpful to you as it has been to me.

Below I have included a brief overview of a math problem solving notebook.

MATH PROBLEM SOLVING NOTEBOOK

In the past I had used a math journal which was not really the direction I wanted to go with recording math ideas and activities. It was primarily made up of math terms and maybe a special math worksheet. It just didn't sparkle.

Then, on kindergartenkindergarten.com I found the math problem solving notebook label. On the site are also suggestions of the types of math that is included in the notebook. An example of the direction I was going with this is: I would give the children at each table a number of manipulative cubes. Then ask a question: if i have one cube and place two more with it, how many do i now have (have in all, have altogether, does it equal)? I would have them draw the cubes in the notebook, color them, and then write the 'how many' they decide the answer will be. The children at each table work together.

At the beginning of the school year, this is a ' huge task' for many children. There are multiple steps to the 'problem-solving' situation you will present if you give one like the one above. On the surface, it seems so easy...but the child is being asked to do quite a bit. They become proficient the longer you do this so it is worth the time. After a while, place cubes on the tables, and ask children to come up with the problem of the day!

What else to include in the notebook: math terms, math symbols, whatever the child can record that is about math that will help connect it to their lives...sizzle, sizzle...another tool for the toolbox..

Notebooks, notebooks....keep children organized, keep track of science activities, provide a record for you to use to show parents when discussing a child's progress. And, children are so eager to share this accomplishment with family.members.

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