Welcome to Homeschooling with Notebooks!
What is notebooking?
It's creatively collecting information in a notebook. Notebooking
allows a child to have fun while progressing in every area
of learning. The topics are limitless!
I am so pleased we have the
internet and the fast-paced exchange of ideas about homeschooling
that are shared in this community. We now have the capability
of creating our own school materials using an online service
and a printer.
When I first started to homeschool
my mindset was still one of a classroom. Now that I have
homeschooled 15 years I have much to reflect on. My first
son didn't mind doing workbooks and answering endless questions,
but the next two children learned differently and in hindsight
I truly wish I had implemented some of the "Lifestyle
of Learning" that Marilyn Howshall wrote about in her
magazine. Marilyn was the first person I read about who
was doing notebooks. If I had been able to see
homeschooling as a lifestyle of continual learning and how
this learning can be placed in notebooks, I may
have implemented notebooking much earlier.
My hope for this website is
to provide everything you need to create your own notebooks
without spending a lot of money. I will try to add links
to sites that offer visuals so you can see how notebooking
can make learning enjoyable.
Notebooking supplies
will include a 3-ring binder with clear page protectors
and subject dividers. Add some scissors, paints, glue, colored
paper and a craft bin or shoe box to keep it in and you
have just about everything you need to make a great
notebook.
Google.com
is a great search engine that allows you to perform
extensive research on the web. Place the name of any topic
you are studying in Google's form box and you are on the
path to millions of electronic resources. Search for images
as well by clicking on the Image button after entering
a topic. You will be given loads of images, coloring pages
and often beautiful old artwork you can print out to place
in your notebook. (See http://www.google.com/about.html
for more ways to search.)
Notebook covers can
be as simple or complex as the child desires. Some children
may design a simple cover with a title on it or a coloring
page easily found on google.com. (Example: "Ancient
Egypt coloring page"). Craft books from particular
time periods can be helpful in coming up with ideas for
covers. For Ancient Egypt you could make Egyptian sandals
out of cardboard and twine. A map of Africa could serve
as a background for homemade paper dolls dressed in Egyptian
clothing. These are just a few ideas but the options are
endless when it comes to the cover of your notebook. We'll
explore these ideas in more detail in each of the catagories.
Collecting the "scraps"
in color coded folders or
crates is one way to help organize notebooking materials.
I like the idea of allowing each child to pick a special
color of pen that they can use for their work. You can buy
lined paper in different colors as well or just use your
printer and make your own. If you use hanging-folders you
can place all of your child's work in a color-coded folder
and then take the best work to put in the notebook. You
could buy each child a different color dishpan to keep all
of their supplies in. These containers can store paints,
pencils, glue or other school items such as flashcards or
toys. A decorated shoe box works just as well.
Finding lesson plans
is as easy as punching in a google search. If your child
is younger you should probably start with general references
and outlines, not getting into the details too deeply. Resources
are available for every age group online - it's just a matter
of searching them out. The following links from The
Well Trained Mind" website will help give you ideas
for topics to study as well as good recommendations for
resources:
The
Well Trained Mind - Complete Article and Resource Index
Using
History at the Center of the Curriculum
Creating
Notebooks in Grades K-4
Grades
5-8
Grades
9-12
Need a form for recording
library books read or scheduling daily lesson plans? Donna
Young's Printables
and Resources for Homeschooling and Classrooms
will have it along with lots of other tips and tricks
for the homeschooler. This site seems a bit disorganized
but if you search well you'll find very helpful information.
When your notebook is complete,
make a book! There are several good sites that explain
how:
This is only the beginning!
Please take a look at the information given within this
website. You'll find many more ideas and links to sites
that will be very helpful in your Notebooking adventure!
God bless,
Alice
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