Science Notebooks in Grades K–2 11
Notebook Entries
As students engage in scientifi c exploration, they will make entries
in their notebooks. They might use a prepared notebook sheet or a
more free-form entry. Students frequently respond to a focus question
with a drawing or a simple written entry. Kindergartners may write
single words; fi rst and second graders will write simple observations
and summary ideas, using the new vocabulary in their entries. These
notebook entries allow early-childhood students to relive and describe
their science experiences as they turn the pages in their notebooks.
Typically, the rules of grammar and spelling are relaxed when
making notebook entries so as not to inhibit the fl ow of creative
expression. Encourage students to use many means of recording and
communicating besides writing, including charts, graphs, drawings,
color codes, numbers, and images attached to the notebook pages. By
exploring many options for making notebook entries, each student will
fi nd his or her most effi cient, expressive way to capture and organize
information for later retrieval.A notebook entry from the Insects and Plants Module