How to Organize Your Science Notebook

How to Organize Your Science Notebook

Science - Mr. Hill

Science Binder Organization

Being organized is one of the first steps towards success in academics. For this reason, I am expecting each student to keep his/her science notebook very well organized…according to MY FORMAT!!

You will have a binder with 5 labeled dividers which will contain every paper from the current semester. DO NOT THROW AWAY ANY SCIENCE PAPERS!!! They should all be organized in your science notebook in sequential order by date. Notebook checks will be conducted periodically and count as a test grade.

*Before the first divider will be those papers you need for survival in this science class!

  1. This sheet. How to organize your science binder.
  2. The class syllabus
  3. A signed copy of the MSBSD Science Safety Contract (Lab Safety Rules)
  4. Classroom Procedures Information (take notes on this)
  1. First Divider: “SMART STARTS”

Smart Starts will be done on a daily basis to begin class. Questions may be similar to the types of questions on quizzes and tests, so do the Smart Starts and use them to study. Smart Starts are mandatory, not optional.

  1. Second Divider: “NOTES/HANDOUTS”

This section will contain any notes completed in class, as well as handouts.

  1. Third Divider: “LABS”

This section should contain all of the labs completed in class and/or finished for homework. Even if a lab is finished for homework, it will count as a Lab grade and remain in your Lab section.

  1. Fourth Divider: “Science Observations”

This section should contain the required observations (both from class and your own) for the semester. Each observation must have the date and location noted. There should also be a research question and at least two hypotheses along with each observation. Format these in a table like this:

Date / Observation / Question / Hypothesis 1 / Hypothesis 2
  1. Fifth Divider: “TESTS and QUIZZES”

This section will contain exam study guides and test preparation materials but not the actual tests/quizzes. After you review yours tests and quizzes, they will be kept in your student file in the classroom and available upon request.

Science Binder Rubric

Name______

Evaluator’s name______

Points Possible / Points Earned
Science Survival Papers all present.
All Five Tabs LABLED:
1. First labeled Divider: “SMART STARTS”
2. Second Divider: “NOTES/HANDOUTS”
3. Third Divider: “LABS”
4. Fourth Divider: “SCIENCE OBSERVATIONS”
5. Fifth Divider: “TESTS and QUIZZES” / 25

In chronological order:

In perfect order-50
In order for the most part-40
Somewhat in order-30
Very little order-20 / 50
Overall organization/neatness:
Excellent neatness and organization-25
Very neat and organized-20
Somewhat neat and oragnized-15
Unorganized and messy-10 / 25
Total Points / 100

Last Revised 8/17/15

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