How to Keep a Science Journal
So much of education is about taking in and processing information, but an integral part of it is develop the ability to think critically. Science is a great forum for challenging thoughts through experimentation and the introduction to differing points of view, and one of the best ways to force students to think on their own without the peer pressure and self-assurance issues of classroom discussion is to have them journal. Starting a scientific journal routine in your classroom can not only encourage your students to think and observe on their own, but it will provide you with a peek at the inner workings of your students' minds.
Instructions
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Keeping a Journal
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Make each student choose a notebook which will be his or her science journal. Establish the criteria, such as how long and how often they will have to write.
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Set aside time in class to personalize their notebooks, whether it's with markers, stickers or collages of magazine cut-outs that relate to science.
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3
Choose a method of organization. You could create a table of contents, or simply have each entry dated and include the current chapter in the textbook and the topic/activity being written about. The system is not important as long as your students can navigate it to find entries they are looking for.
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Consider taping or pasting information relevant to the entire study year, such as the periodic table of elements or the scientific method, onto the inside front cover.
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Turn the notebook upside down and open it from the back cover. Write definitions into the back of the notebook, working your way towards meeting the journaling. This will help make the journal a more essential part of classwork and learning.
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Give your students topics to address in each journal entry, such as what they learned, what they didn't understand during the class or experiment, and what questions they still had. Over time, push them to compare and contrast class experiments that concern similar topics.
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Have students put each journal entry on its own page to make it easier to flip through.
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Collect the journals periodically. This will help you gauge what your students are or aren't learning, what their interests or questions are, and how effective your methods of teaching are. It will also give a better assessment of your students' comprehension of coursework than fill-in-the-blank worksheets would.
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