Other notebook covers...

Why?? In my experience with 5th grade scientists, allowing kids to decorate the covers of their notebooks as well as designing author pages about themselves, makes them take ownership of the journal and the learning inside. While there's always that one or two kids who could care less, even kids who don't like science will take pride in their journal entries and activities! Only 2 lost science journals in 6 years!! That says something :) (And no, I don't keep them at school! They take them home to study and complete their outputs!!)

 Of course, these are using stickers but it always awesome when kids use their imaginations and create their own backgrounds and scenes! Unfortunately, my students weren't willing to part with their notebooks. This year, I'll take pictures before they leave :)

 (I wonder if 8th graders will be down with doing this... I shall see! Hopefully they won't throw them back at me!)

(This is one of my favorites! Kids seem to like it too...)