Science+Notebooks

Students should keep their assignments in a section of a notebook in order. When an assignment is given, students should get out a sheet of paper. Students are given a title and a page number to write on this paper. Students should then put this paper in a notebook or section of a notebook with the page numbers in order. In essence, s tudents are directed to keep their work on specific page numbers in a "Science Notebook" each time an assignment is given. Students are to bring this notebook every time class meets.

By using this notebook system, a student and I can find their work for studying and grading purposes. Students can use any notebook they choose with 70 or more pages or organize their pages in a three ring binder. Students are also supposed to write the title and page number of each assignment in the table of contents in the front of their notebook.

Science Notebook assignment grades are recorded quickly from each student at times that I announce. At grade recording times I tell students to open their notebooks to specific pages. If students can't find their work at this time their grade can't be recorded. Work not found at this time is considered late. I don't collect loose papers and work not organized in a Science Notebook will not be graded. By empoying this system I can allow students to improve or make-up most assignments. In the past, students who refused to use this notebook system do not pass the course. (Many students improve their assignments to earn missed points at assignment scoring times.

This is how students get make up work scored: Students make notebooks with page numbers. Then a student can communicate that they want me to check a particular assignment by telling me the page numbers they want me to look at. A student can do this in two ways. They can either circle the page number in their notebook’s table of contents or they can put a piece of paper with the page numbers and assignment titles on it inside the front cover of their notebook. Then they leave their notebook with me.

I don't accept loose papers. Upon request I will provide a folder for students to leave their late papers in. Their assignments must be placed in order by page number in this folder. Students must also communicate to me what they put in this folder. This will be done by placing a piece of paper on top of their organized work. Students will need to write page numbers and titles of the assignments they need scored on this paper.

Students will not be allowed to avoid the organization system that Science Notebooks provide. More details if the above isn't clear:There is a procedure for getting missing or improved work scored. Science notebooks are an organization and communication system. Students are instructed to organize their work by page number. When available, I provide them with one 70 page spiral notebook a semester for this purpose, but students can use any notebook they choose or organize their pages in a three ring binder. Students are also supposed to write the title of each assignment in the table of contents in the front of their notebook. When they want to communicate to me that they have missing or improve worked to be scored, they simply circle the page numbers in their table of contents that they want me to look at and leave their notebook on my desk.

Again, students should circle the page numbers in their table of contents that they want scored and leave their notebook on my desk. If a student's table of contents is missing, They can put a piece of paper inside the front cover of their notebook with the page numbers on it that they want scored. All assignments and materials to do most of them can be found at the following link. I usually add assignments daily by 5pm. This page can also be used to see if assignments are complete. Just click on the assignment titles to see the content and details.

With this classwork improvement system, students can choose the percentage they earn on their classwork.

How Classwork is normally scored: Students do not turn in assignments individually. The score or number of stamps a student has earned for an assignment is recorded on a record sheet during assignment scoring, improvement and/or make up time. The scores for assignments that students are unable to show on these days don’t get recorded. Students also compare their work to others students on these days to get ideas/feedback on how to improve their work.