Notable Notebooks Scientists and Their Writings

The book talks about scientific notebooks and how they were widely used by scientists all throughout history and even today. It talks about how scientific notebooks were used and what they can be used for and invites students to have their own scientific notebooks.

Author: Jessica Fries-Gaither
Illustrator: Linda Olliver
Year Published: 2016
ISBN: 978-1-68140-307-6

Science Topics

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

Kindergarten

Summary

Notable Notebooks: Scientists and Their Writings talks about many different famous scientists who used scientific notebooks to record their findings, observations, experiments, or wonderings and thoughts they had.

Evaluation

Appropriateness: High
Authority: High
Accuracy: High
Liteary Artistry: High
Appearance: High

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

Does the book provide an opportunity for children to ask and answer their own questions?

It does provide students to ask questions about what findings some scientists had or what their science notebooks might've looked like and how they organized it. It invites students to become curious and wonder deeper about some scientists and their findings.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

The book encourages students to think about creating their own scientific notebook and what they might want to include in it/ how they want to organize it.

Is the science topic addressed in ways that are appropriate to the lesson?

Yes, I think the way that the author decided to use rhyme allow the students to follow along, as well as include various important scientists and their findings really help students understand the importance of scientific notebooks.

Is the content based on sound scientific principles? Is it accurate?

Yes, the scientific principles are accurate, as important scientists and their findings are presented throughout the book.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

The book contains pictures that are both photographs of actual journal and notebook entries. The book flows where the information about the scientists and their findings are more storylike, and then it goes into talking about specifics of what scientific journals can be used for.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

The illustrations are clear and accurate as there are real photographs of journal and notebook entries. There also photographs of students' journals to show how scientific journals are used in classrooms by students.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

Yes, the book is written in a simple, but beautiful way for students to understand exactly about why the author wrote the book. It's easy to follow along and the author is clear.

Is there a multicultural component? Is it free from stereotyping?

The book contains diverse characters that are both old and young. The book also presents different settings, which opens up the idea about the different places people may come from.

Is the book free from gender bias?

Yes. The book presents both important men and women and their scientific journals and the pictures that were illustrated also show both boys and girls.

Does the book show the close association between science and other disciplines?

The book shows close association with history and science, along with writing and science.

Does the book present a positive attitude toward science and technology?

The book has a neutral attitude towards science and technology, since it's mostly about notebooks in science.