Writing is no longer just for language arts: using science notebooks to increase students\u27 abilities to understand the scientific method

The research question addressed in this project was How does the use of science notebooks affect fifth graders\u27 abilities to understand the scientific method? It explores a teacher\u27s journey as she implements various writing strategies into science notebooks in an elementary classroom. It documents students\u27 learning as they study the steps of the scientific method and use them during experiments. The author defines science notebook and uses research literature to construct meaning and validate the study. She describes both successes and struggles along the way and concludes that the use of science notebooks increases students\u27 abilities to understand the scientific method but that it will take a longer period of time to see an improvement in the students\u27 use of the scientific method when put into practice