Phenomenal Science Starter Guide

The foundation to transform your notebooks—and your classroom

Ditch the busywork. Rediscover meaningful learning.

If your current notebook system feels like a never-ending pile of glue sticks, lost handouts, and copy machine runs… there’s a better way.

The Phenomenal Science Starter Guide introduces you to a new way of thinking about notebooks—one that puts your students in the driver’s seat and gives you your planning time (and sanity) back.

Take a peek inside:

Starter Guide

Inside this 58-page guide, you’ll get the strategies and mindset shifts you need to move from chaotic to cohesive, from worksheets to thinking work, and from compliance to real engagement.

Designed to work across grades 4–12 and adaptable to any subject area, this guide will help you see what’s possible when notebooks become a tool for processing, not just storing information.

YOU’LL WALK AWAY WITH…

A clear vision of what powerful notebooking can look like (no, it’s not gluing in worksheets)

Steps for launching a student-centered notebook setup that sticks

An introduction to sketchnoting—how to teach it and why it matters

Ideas for designing your own templates that replace traditional worksheets

Tips and strategies to make notebooks a meaningful daily routine—not another thing to grade

PLUS: Each section includes a short reflection video from Jennifer to help you apply the strategies with clarity and confidence.

success stories!

I’m doing it with middle school, where kids tend to feel awkward and shy.

So far. I feel like the focus on notebooking and not content has made them more comfortable, especially coming back after distance learning. We’ve been having fun!

— Tennille J., Middle School

I started using your strategies last year and it made a huge difference in my student's’ understanding and ability to apply the concepts they learned.

Instead of just memorizing disjointed facts, they were able to put together how everything was related and then later in the year, how earlier concepts related to newer ones. Using Sketchnotes and templates helped guide them into expressing their ideas in ways that were new to them, but were more effective for processing in greater depth.

— Missy S.

All I have to say is if you are on the fence, just do it. I did it over the summer and it really makes you think about everything.

It’s not easy, but I am the happiest I have been with my class since I started teaching it 10 years ago. I feel like I was able to take it to another level.

— Kristin G., Middle School

Hi, I’m Jennifer!

I’m Jennifer Weibert—a former science teacher turned coach who’s helped thousands of educators rethink how they use notebooks, visual thinking, and high-impact strategies to make science meaningful.

I created The Notebooking Lab because I wanted teachers everywhere to have access to the tools and support I share with teams in my live trainings. My goal is simple: to help you teach science in a way that’s clear, engaging, and sustainable.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

  • Not at all! While it’s rooted in science teaching, the strategies work across all content areas.

  • Nope! Most tools are analog and classroom-friendly. All you need is paper, pen, and a fresh perspective.

  • Best for grades 4–12. Everything inside is flexible enough to adapt to your students and teaching style.

  • Not in this resource. But you’ll get ideas and structure tips to help you begin designing your own.

Let’s get started!

Start building your strategy toolbox today. Join the community of science educators who are leveling up their instruction—one powerful routine at a time.