Science Writing: Introduction to the Interactive Notebook

Topic outline

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  General

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    Welcome to your interactive science notebook!
    
    This course is designed to prepare you to use writing as a tool for scientific inquiry and reflection.
    
    You will practice a wide variety of writing skills related to:
    

    • building academic and science-specific vocabulary
      
    • scientific method
      
    • observation and inference
    • collecting, reporting, and interpreting data
    • making claims and supporting with evidence
    • using technology to report findings
  • Step 1: Greetings from Alpha. CLICK HERE to get started! Resource Assignment
  • Step 2: Science Writing Survey 1 Page
  • Download a Copy of this Course File 66.3MB
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  Topic 1

  Science? What and Who
  

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  • Who does science and what is it? Find out more...
  • Step 1: What is Science? Response Assignment
  • Step 2: Finding a Mentor Scientist Page
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  Topic 2

  • Vocabulary: Which building blocks?
    
  • Science is full of special vocabulary. Some of the vocabulary is used in more than one subject area. What does it take to "know" a word or concept? Knowing what a word means includes knowing how to use it well. Practice makes perfect!
  • Step 1: Academic Language Glossary
  • Step 2: Vocabulary Strategies Assignment
  • Vocabulary Strategy #1: New Car Concept Showcase Assignment
  • Vocabulary Strategy #2: Thirty Seconds Of Fame And Glory Assignment
  • Vocabulary Strategy #3: Vocabulary Trading Cards Assignment
  • Vocabulary Strategy #4: Fold Its (1-3, bullseye diagram, concept map) Assignment
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  Topic 3

  • Scientific Method
    
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    Scientific method? Do not try this at home!
    

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  • In this section, you will watch, listen, and read about the scientific method. Your assignments are to complete the "Practice a Skill" activities and Key Word Notes.
    
  • Step 1: Scientific Method - The Movie File
  • Step 2: The PPT Review File
  • Read Me: Hypothesis File
  • Practice a skill: Hypothesis File
  • Read me: Experiment design File
  • Read Me: Interpreting Data File
  • Practice a skill: Interpreting Data File
  • Read me: Diagrams File
  • Practice a skill: Reading Diagrams File
  • Step 3: Key Word Notetaking Assignment
  • About Key Word Notes URL
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  Topic 4

  • Observation: Where and When
    
  • In this section, you will learn more about observation by conducting your own habitat study at home.
  • Step 1: Read Me - Observation and Inference File
  • Practice a skill: Inference File
  • Step 2: Read Me - Urban Habitat File
  • Step 3: Animal Habitat Observation File
  • Step 4: Animal Homes Checklist File
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  Topic 5

  • Claims and Evidence
    
  • The difference between an opinion and a claim? A claim is backed by evidence. WARNING: Not all evidence is reliable. Check out the following examples...
  • Step 1: Fables - The Crow and the Pitcher Page
  • Step 2: Is Truth Stranger than Fiction? Forum
  • Step 3: Science Fiction Assignment
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  Topic 6

  Writing Styles: Why and How
  

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  • Did you know science writing can be creative writing? In this section, you will respond to and create your own creative non-fiction writings.
  • Step 1: Limericks Page
  • Limerick Challenge Assignment
  • Step 2: Science Blogging Assignment
  • Step 3: Write your own fable Assignment
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  Topic 7

  • Finally! The Finale
    
  • Science Writing Survey 2 Page
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  Topic 8

  Standards
  

  • Technology Standards Page
  • Science Standards Page
  • Standards Alignment Document Page
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  Topic 9

  Other Resources

  • Find interesting writing samples on the web? Email them to lynn.harper@richfield.k12.mn.us and they will be posted here!
  • Science Notebooks URL