Science Notebooks are the base of my teaching instruction. I use them daily to record our inquiries, our wondering, as well as our data. In fact, my students view them as a valuable tool - as useful and necessary as a pencil. But should you assess them? Or are they a "private" place to record their thinking?
My answer to this is absolutely yes! I look over their science notebooks at least twice a week to see what they have retained, what they are confused about and who needs more help. This is the best way to fomally assess your students thinking...
I have written many blogs about formative assessment and using quick checks. For more information, please visit:
www.sciencegal-sciencegal.blogspot.com
But at the end of a unit, I also take a "grade" based on our county's rubric. You can get one
free at
