Interactive Biology Notebook

Your Interactive Biology Notebook will increase your understanding of this science by:

  • Using writing as a process for discovery and synthesis of inquiry
  • Modeling many enduring functions of scientists – recording information and data, creating experimental diagrams, forming associations and connections to other learning, and asking thoughtful questions.
  • Improving your ability to organize ideas and information to provide a study reference for each unit
  • Demonstrating to your developing organizational skills, understanding of science concepts and ability to express thoughts and feeling in a variety of ways.

Think as a scientist… record as a scientist… and reflect as a scientist!

Required:

  1. A college or standard-ruled, wire-bound notebook is recommended. Please do not rip out any pages; you will need all of them! Bring your notebook to class each day!
  2. Have separate loose-leaf paper for those other assignments that require you to turn in daily graded work. Some graph paper will also be required.
  3. Handouts and other teacher provided pages MUST BE glued or clear taped in place. If printed on both sides, attach so that both sides can be viewed. Please NO staples. You will need glue sticks for class.
  4. Organized in the same manner: right side for input (lecture notes, labs, worksheets) and the left side for output (drawings, reflections, association…).
  5. Pages should be numbered consecutively, do not skip pages; each page titled and dated.
  6. A Table of Contents will be kept in the front of the notebook.
  7. This Handout Guide will be glued into the front of the notebook after being signed by you.
  8. There will be notebook quizzes or checks at least once each quarter. Grades will be assigned following the general rubric on this handout. Glue the rubric to the inside back cover of your notebook for quick reference.
  9. Staying current with all entries is vital to your success this year in Biology. If you are absent copy the right side entries from another student, but complete the left side on your own. Be sure to update your table of contents regularly.

STUDENT: I understand the purpose of the Interactive Biology Notebook and will try my best to keep my notebook up-to-date and complete. If I fall behind I will quickly seek out assistance from Mrs. Reeves.

Student Name ______(print)

SIGNED ______(student signature) Date ______

How to Organize Your Notebook
Left Side (Output) – Homework, Bell-Ringers, Exit Slips, Conclusions, etc. / Right Side (Input) - Classwork
The left spiral page demonstrates YOUR understanding of the information from the right side page. You work with the input, and INTERACT with the information in creative, unique, and individual ways. The left side helps focus your attention and guides your learning of the content and concepts. / Science interactive notebooks are used to help you learn and remember important scientific concepts. Why do they work? This notebook style uses both the right and left-brain hemispheres to help you sort, categorize, remember, and creatively interact with the new knowledge you are gaining.
What goes on the LEFT side?
OUTPUT goes on the left side!
  • Every left side page gets used!
  • Always number and date pages!
  • Use color and organize information…be creative; it helps the brain learn.
/ What goes on the RIGHT side?
INPUT goes on the right side!
  • Always write the date and page number on each page
  • Always title each page and assignment

What could go on the LEFT side?
  • Connections to prior science knowledge
  • Personal reflections & associations
  • Brainstorming
  • Mind maps
  • Concept maps
  • Venn diagrams
  • Pictures
  • Drawings
  • Diagrams
  • Writing prompts
  • Flow charts
  • Poems
  • Songs
  • Self reflections
  • Questions
  • Cartoons
  • Other ways you can prove to me that you understand the information presented in class
  • For other ideas on OUTPUT see me or go to
/ Guidelines:
  • The right spiral page is for writing down information you are given in class (INPUT)
  • When the teacher lectures, you take notes on the right side
  • When you take book notes or video notes they ALWAYS go on the right side
  • Lab activities go on the right side
  • Any other type of INPUT you get IN CLASS
  • Highlight important information to help you pick it out
  • No staples, only glue or clear tape

Adapted from:

Interactive Biology Notebook Rubric

The following rubric will be used to assess only your notebook in general. All assignments, labs, and questions may receive a separate grade for accuracy and understanding.

Category / A / B / C / D / F / Grade
Organization
20 points / All pages have numbers, dates, and titles. It is neat and organized properly.
20 / Missing a few page numbers, dates, and titles. It is fairly neat and organized.
17 / Missing a few page numbers, dates, and titles. Notebook is sort of neat and organized.
15 / Missing many page numbers, dates and titles. Notebook is not neat and not organized.
13 / Missing most page numbers, dates and titles. Notebook is not neat and not organized.
10
Classwork
-Notes/glue-ins
(INPUT)
15 points / All notes and glue=ins present. Notes are neat, detailed and accurate.
15 / All notes and glue=ins present. Notes are not neat, detailed and/or accurate OR missing very few, but notes are neat, detailed and accurate.
13 / Missing some notes and glue=ins. Notes are not neat, detailed and/or accurate.
11 / Missing many notes and glue-ins. Notes are not neat, detailed and/or accurate.
10 / Missing most/all notes and glue=ins. Notes are not neat, detailed and/or accurate.
8
Bellringers
-OUTPUT
15 points / All bellringers present. Student answers with care, depth and accuracy.
15 / All bellringers are present, but student does not answer with care, depth and accuracy OR missing some but student answers those with care, depth and accuracy.
13 / Missing some and /or students does not answer with care, depth and accuracy.
11 / Missing many and does not answer with care, depth and accuracy.
10 / Missing most/all bellringers and does not answer with care, depth and accuracy.
8
Exit slips, Homework
-OUTPUT for notes/glue-ins, bellringers, labs
60 points / Output is present for all work. Output is detailed, creative and shows understanding of terms and concepts.
60 / Output is present for all work but is not detailed, creative, and does not show understanding of terms and concepts OR missing some but it is detailed, creative and shows understanding of terms and concepts.
51 / Missing some output for work and is not detailed, creative and does not show understanding of terms and concepts.
45 / Missing many pages of output for work and it is not detailed, creative and does not show understanding of terms and concepts.
39 / Missing most/all output for work and it is not detailed, creative, and does not show understanding of terms and concepts.
30
Final Grade: ______/ 60 =