Science+Journal+&+Locking+Folder

Science Journal & Locking Folder
My view of a Science Journal is a combination of a diary, experimental journal, and scrapbook modeled after the notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci. A Science Journal is a summation to one year of Science instruction. It is a product that students get to keep and provides a valid point to review past Science topics in preparation for future standardized testing. By 5th grade, my students will each have 3 Science Journals for review (grades 3-5). The last week of school is when students get to decorate their journal covers.

For organizing lessons and activities, Science Journals are typically used in 3rd - 5th grades while file folders are used from kindergarten - 2nd grades.

I cheat by using both for my 3rd-5th grades. I will provide pictures for the general setup. School systems give rubrics for the components of an effective Science Journal so I will not provide them.

Science Journal
Each student has their own Science Journal to use while the ESS uses the Class Science Journal. The Class Science Journal is for the teacher to model the procedures and activities in that specific lesson. The teacher also acts as a scribe to include student contributions in the Class Science Journal that all students can then add to theirs. The Class Science Journal also allows the teacher to review content covered and pacing when planning future lessons for that particular class. Students who are absent can receive copies from the Class Science Journal to be mounted in the the student 's Science Journal.

My Science Journals are organized with sections for a table of contents, notes, and a glossary of terms. The number of sections is up to you. I am always trying to find ways to improve.

Front Cover
Envelope sleeve for student Progress Reports to be sent home/signed in which the parent/guardian can review assignments, activities, and assessments mounted in the Science Journal.

Introduction
The first three pages contains documents for:
 * Content and Effort Scoring
 * Rubric for Expository Writing
 * Classroom Guidelines

These are for the benefit of the students and parent/guardians.

Table of Contents
The next 5 pages are labeled T1,T2, T3,T4, and T5 for the table(s) of contents pages to be used by the students. Some students make a mistakes and record notes on a __**Table of Contents**__ T? page instead of a numbered note page. (Always good to have a backup T page).

Notes Section
The note pages are then number sequentially 1,2,3,4,etc in the upper right corner. The back of each page is considered the B side and is not numbered or labeled. The notes section will contain SIOP (Sheltered Instructional Observational Protocols) handouts, written notes, reading handouts, Venn diagrams, mind maps, illustrations (student & web originated), and assessments. **Glossary** The last 10 pages are reserved for a glossary of Science Terms in alphabetical order. I provide the terms as part of note-taking that the students will copy into the Science Journal, but I also plan on providing an alphabetical listing of definitions through desktop publishing for mounting in the glossary. They will include language aids for ESL students. **Back Cover** The back cover contains two pockets made from envelopes to hold loose paper items and a homemade popsicle stick ruler.

Each section is marked by a printer label used as a tab. Printer labels are far cheaper than purpose made tabs when providing for large numbers of students.

Locking Folder
The Locking Folder is made from a file folder to the dimensions of the Science Journal. The name flap is important to identify the owner of the The locking folder as well as lock the loose pages when placed in a Science Journal.

I take photos of students with their Locking folders under their faces so that I can better identify student names to faces at the beginning of the year.

Extras


You can mount envelopes to the back cover to hold small items. You can also provide a pocket for a homemade rulers using a large Popsicle stick. The increments for the rulers are copied from the line spacing of the note paper onto the Popsicle stick. This saves class-time on handing out and collecting rulers from the students. They are also easy to replace if lost.