Learning+Logs

**Learning Logs**

**Content** Writing to learn science strategy

**Grade Level** This strategy works best for middle school and high school ages.

**Curriculum Standards** For 8th grade, this strategy addresses the following CSOs:

SC.O.8.1.1 formulate scientific explanations based on historical observations and experimental evidence, accounting for variability in experimental results. SC.O.8.1.2 demonstrate how a testable methodology is employed to seek solutions for personal and societal issues. (e.g., “scientific method”). SC.O.8.1.3 relate societal, cultural and economic issues to key scientific innovations. SC.O.8.1.4 conduct and/or design investigations that incorporate the skills and attitudes and/or values of scientific inquiry (e.g., established research protocol, accurate record keeping, replication of results and peer review, objectivity, openness, skepticism, fairness, or creativity and logic). SC.O.8.1.7 design, conduct, evaluate and revise experiments (e.g., compose a question to be investigated, design a controlled investigation that produces numeric data, evaluate the data in the context of scientific laws and principles, construct a conclusion based on findings, propose revisions to investigations based on manipulation of variables and/or analysis of error, or communicate and defend the results and conclusions). SC.O.8.3.1 synthesize concepts across various science disciplines to better understand the natural world (e.g., form and function, systems, or change over time). SC.O.8.3.2 investigate, compare and design scientific and technological solutions to personal and societal problems. SC.O.8.3.3 communicate experimental designs, results and conclusions using advanced technology tools.

**Description of Practices** Learning logs are journals that students write in for the entire school year. They use the log as a way to informally keep track of their learning by writing what they have learned that day during a brief free-write session. Once students understand how to create their learning log, the log can be used in a variety of ways. The goal of the learning log is to teach students to be more self-directed, focused, critical, and willing to take risks.

Learning logs can be used to:
 * 1) Focus and activate prior knowledge
 * 2) Gathering information
 * 3) Organizing the information
 * 4) Predicting and elaborating on the information
 * 5) Integrating prior knowledge with the new information they learned in order to build meaningful connections
 * 6) Reflect and evaluate on what they learned

**Implementation Considerations** After teaching students through whole group instruction how they should use learning logs, they can be used in any type of setting such as whole group, small group, or when co-teaching.

**Example** Sample Learning log example questions: []

Other sample learning log topics: []

More learning log information:

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**Citation** Atwell, N. (1987). //In the middle: Writing, reading, and learning with adolescents.// Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

Santa, C. M., & Havens, L. T. (1991). Learning through writing. In C. M. Santa & D. E. Alverman (Eds.), //Science learning: Process and applications.// Newark, DE: International Reading Association. Stephens, K., & Winterbottom, M. (2010). Using a learning log to support students' learning in biology lessons. //Journal of Biological Education, 44//(2), 72-80.

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