A Science Journal is used throughout this unit as an interactive text book. Its use is integrated into the lessons in this unit to reinforce the "investigate to understand" piece of the standards. Students will diagram, label, sketch and journal as they make observations, collect data, and research key concepts.Using a Science Journal helps students make connections to other core subjects especially Language Arts. The use of a combination of sketches, diagrams, concept maps, graphic organizers, and written descriptions also speaks to the multiple intelligences present in any classroom, encourages higher level thinking skills, and supports ESL learning strategies. Students are encouraged to add any additional thoughts, questions, or insights they may have into their journals as the class progresses through each lesson.

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The Science Journal - Formative Assessment
   

   
    The Science Journal and its evaluation is used for formative assessment throughout this unit of study. Science Journals are collected and reviewed weekly. Teacher comments are provided in the students' journals on most pages before returning to students to encourage students to extend their learning and maintain a running dialogue about what we are learning.  Adding simple encouraging comments in students' journals also sets the stage for building self-esteem and encouraging a scientific mind. In addition, Teachers can monitor class participation, engagement, and the level of understanding as students respond to questions and perform tasks during classroom activities.

 The Science Journal -  Summative Assessment

    Listed below is an example of a rubric to use to grade the Science Journal for both formative and summative purposes. A  final grade should consider neatness, organization, accuracy, and attention to detail by each student. Students could get bonus points for adding additional journal pages or entries and should be able to improve poor scores as they make up missed or incomplete work.

Here's how a rubric might look for this Unit of Study:

                        9 Weeks Science Journal Assessment Rubric
                                                                            Not Attempted     Somewhat    Attempted     Complete
                                                                                 (o)                    Attempted        but                (3)                                                                                                                               (1)            Incomplete
                                                                                                                                    (2)
Lesson 1-Reflections, sketches                             
Lesson 2-Observations, diagrams                                      
Lesson 3-VENN diagram,foldables                          
Lesson 4-Food Chain Sketches                             
Lesson 5-Check Vocabulay Matchbooks                 
Lesson 6-Classwork- Research                              
Lesson 7- Classwork-Research                             
Lesson 8- Journal reflections                                   
Lesson 9- Pond Water Exercise-Sketches            
Lesson 10- Sketches and reflections                       

                    Lesson Participation Total Score:       _________ out of a possible 30 points

                            Extra Credit Bonus Points             + ________
                            Correction Points                           + ________

                        Total Lesson Participation Score:   ___________
                                                 
  Quality Rubric
Quality of Science Journal Entries- are ranked as a group- a rubric may look like this-
                                                poor (1)     needs improvement(2)    acceptable(3)        exceptional(4)
Neatness Throughout
Organization thoughout
Index Neat and organized
Accuracy
Attention to detail
Diagrams and labels
Journal entries
                                    Total -  ________ out of 28 total

Total --Quality Grade + Lesson Participation Grade = _______________ 9 weeks Science Journal Grade


        Homework Grade-
Homework counted as a separate grade even though it is tracked in the Science Journal.
Homework is usually done in the Science Journal as well- They may be tracked on the same rubric
Homework assignment -  1    2  3    4    5    6    7    8    9    10   

Total    _______ out 10 Homework Points
        (each number represents 1 point )- 


*Of course students will vary in terms of abilities so stages of improvement will be encouraged and celebrated.