Notebook Organization

The IB Biology Notebook will be a compellation of all of your class work and labs done throughout the year in class.  All students completing this course will be expected to keep a notebook.  

As you complete assignments, readings, videos or notes place them in order under the correct tab in your portfolio.  DO NOT THROUGH ANY IB BIOLOGY ASSIGNMENTS OR COURSE WORK AWAY!  You will use the materials during the second year of the course as you review for the IB Biology test.  You may keep the notebook in the classroom. 

Notebooks will be graded once per quarter and are a component of the class work portion of your grade.  Prior to the due date, I will provide you with a sheet listing all of the elements that must be present in your notebook. 

You must FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES to set up your notebook: 

1. Acquire a 3” three ring binder with a pocket on the front flap and divider 16 tabs (to be labeled as the year progresses).

2. Acquire a 3-ring punched, bound notebook and label it “SYLLABUS STATEMENTS”.  The syllabus statement book will be used as a study tool - you will be responding to syllabus statements in this book.  Upon occasion, the notebook may be used when syllabus quizzes are taken.  When assigned, assessment statements must be hand written and completed in your bound “syllabus statement” book to receive credit.  Please include the assessment statement number in the margin next to each response.  Answers to the syllabus statements are available on line and are linked to the home page.  When completing syllabus statements, be careful not to plagiarize the wording of others.   The best strategy is to attempt to address the statement on your own, and then edit or fill in the details from your notes, books, and internet sources.

3. Acquire a second 3-ring punched, bound notebook and label it “DAILY JOURNAL” (it is OK to purchase  one, two subject notebook for you assessment statements and your daily journal).  In this notebook you will respond to daily question prompts.

4. Acquire a bound lab book with graph paper.  Set up your lab book as follows:

• Use only blue or black ink (except for drawing, when you must use pencil)

• Leave the first page as a title which includes:  IB Biology Year 1, 2008-2009, Your Name, Skyline High School, Ms. von Bargen

• Set up a table of contents on the next two pages.  For each investigation, list in order the experiment title, date and page numbers of the lab

• Only write on the front of each page.  Leave the back of each page for corrections, clarifications and rewrites.

• Number the front of all remaining pages 1,2,3 …

• Never use white out.  If you make a mistake, cross it out with a single line so it is still legible.

• Each lab must start at the top of a page

• Title and date every entry.

• Do not tear pages from your log book.

• Use flagging tabs to label each lab for quick reference.