Notebooking is very similar to journaling, but there are a few distinction in how they are utilized and stored. While journaling requires a bound journal or book with blank pages for writing, notebooking is best when using pre-made and themed  notebooking pages and then filing them into a binder, usually a three ring binder.

I suppose in the loosest sense, notebooking could refer to using blank sheets of notebook paper and inserting them into a binder. But in that case, notebooking and journaling would really be about the same thing.  Notebooking refers to the filling in of facts and information on sheets created for or on a particular subject.

Homeschool Journaling

When I was homeschooling my older children, they each had hardbound legal size lined journals in which they wrote several types of assignments- from book reports to creative writing paragraphs. Other uses for their journals would include drawing maps and diagrams for science, poetry, copywork, nature walk findings, narrations, etc. We used the journals for every subject (except math) and it was the only notebook we had for over three years time. 

It was the best season of homeschooling in my life! We mainly read tons of great books and then I had the children write. It was a time of free homeschooling for me. During their middle school years, we lived overseas and I had the freedom to really homeschool the way I wanted. The timing was very good. We took nature hikes every week, explored the country, and I assigned a research project each week~ alternating science and history topics and added math for a complete program. And so, they wrote, wrote, wrote in their journals.

⇒Read more about homeschooling with journals.

Homeschool Notebooking

So if notebooking is simply just “filling in facts” on a sheet and inserting them into a binder, then why is that any different from just doing worksheets? Here is why: the philosophy behind notebooking, true notebooking, offers the child freedom in what facts they record, what pictures they draw and then they can highlight the information they felt was significant from a book, project or other learning experience. Some notebooking pages do ask for specific information; but they should always offer more open ended space than a typical worksheet.

How do I know which style, journaling or notebooking, is best for my child?

I got involved in making notebooking pages with my youngest child because he is such a reluctant writer. I quickly realized that journaling with him was not going to work. He found notebooking pages easier to manipulate than a blank journal. Notebook pages didn’t overwhelm him as much and they offered the same opportunity for creative learning. He needed something with a simple feeling framework to get started.

My two older children in contrast, who were naturally good writers and very creative, thrived on the freedom a journal offered. I only gave them a few directives to get them started and then they soared with it. They had no trouble writing a mini report on what information was meaningful to them. But my reluctant writer, I could see that he needed short and concise, less intimidating boxes and lines to be filled in.

Notebooking isn’t for everyone and don’t do it for every subject. Pick one or try it with a project or unit of study to see how it goes for a while.

When thinking about whether to go with a journal format or notebooking, consider your child’s learning style and ability. Teaching styles also play a role. You can take a hands on approach, classical, or any that you find natural and appealing because notebooking is so flexible. They can also be used with any age as long as your expectation of filling them out is appropriate. Another plus is that it frees you up considerably and requires your child to take initiative.
And-here’s a special limited time build your own bundle you may like if you want to get a bunch of notebook pages at a crazy low price!

• State Notebook Pages
• Insect Notebook Pages
• Artist Notebook Pages ( Subscribers only)
• GardenNotebook Pages ( Subscribers only)
• Solar System Pages ( Subscribers only)

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Phoenician Study

Timeline Figures and Notebook Pages for Phoenicia

I have created some simple Phoenician timeline figures. This short PDF also includes a few blank writing pages that could be used for various writing assignments or mini reports.  I’m overall pleased with how they came out but I’d love to hear feedback as it would greatly help me with the development of my Art Around the Ancient World series. I hope to make a much larger packet of Free Timeline figures for it as well!

 Phoenician Timeline Figures and Notebook Pages

Books About Phoenicians for Kids

Books were a bit hard to find that were solely about Phoenicia. I found an interesting mythology book on the Phoenicians and Canannites but didn’t include it for religious reasons. Normally, I don’t have any problem including mythology in our homeschool- especially as a literary form. You’ll see lots of literature selections on mythology from the Greeks to the Goths here.  But I found that this particular book was not Christian friendly. Generally, however, I think mythology when presented correctly is a wonderful addition to any homeschool program.

Watch this very timely Google + Event from Bright Ideas Press if you’d like to hear more on the topic!

On the other hand, two books on the Phoenicians that I can whole heartedly recommend are:

1.  Ancient Israelites and Their Neighbors: An Activity Guide– This book is really wonderful and has tons of terrific hands on activities for a full program supplement as well as for putting your own study together.
2.  Phonecians (Ancient Civilizations -Rourke)– This book is a great text option. I recommend it for elementary or a one, or maybe two, day read for middle school. It could also be a great resource or reference book that is simple but includes the main info you’d want as far as dates and historical info.
3. Also Related:
   The Young Carthaginian : A Story of The Times of Hannibal – We haven’t read this one ourselves but it came well recommended to me for older children and as a historical fiction selection.

Teaching Resources on the Phoenicians:

This is by no means a complete list but is a good start and I’ll be adding more as I find them helpful!

Interactive Quiz on Phoenicia for Story of the World Chapter 15
Interactive Vocabulary on Phoenicia
Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool- Phoenician Lapbook
Phoenician lesson plans with printable copywork 
Short, Quick and Easy Explanation of Murex Dye Process
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Phoenicia.org

This post has been part of my Art Around the Ancient World Series.

The following lists each lesson by civilization, what each lesson’s focus will be, and the media/project tutorial.  (These are subject to change.)

• Prehistory– Cave Paintings- Painting the Ancient Way
• Sumerians – Ancient Writing -Cylinder Seals in Clay
• Egypt – Egyptian Art and Hieroglyphs- Multi Media/ Egyptian People Coming Soon!
• Assyrians and Babylonians – Glue Painting- Babylonian Art Lesson for Kids
• Phoenicians– Ancient Dyes– Batik Bags [Follow the 5 Day Series.]
• West Africa– Akuaba Wooden Doll- Scratch Art
• Minoan and Mycenaean– Early Greek Masks-Paper Mache Masks
• Persians– Persian Carpets and Decor- Paper Weaving
• China- Tangrams– Tessellating Birds
• Greece- Etruscan Vases- TBA
• Rome- Mosaics- TBA

Be sure to follow my Pinterest board too! The possibilities are epic!
Follow Stephanie @ Harrington Harmonies’s board Education | Art Around the Ancient World on Pinterest.

The post Phoenician Timeline Figures, Books and Resources appeared first on Dymphna's Song.

Download Free Penguin Notebook Pages:

Penguin Notebook Pages

[tweetthis]Kids can use these #Free #Penguin Notebook Pages to record what they’ve learn about penguins. #notebooking[/tweetthis]Consider printing the penguin page multiple times for each species of penguin and compile them into a penguin book. If you like these pages, you will love all my nature notebook pages. Read more about my 78 page set of Bird Notebook Pages.

Penguin Study Guide:

Use the following as a guide to study penguins. Do research with your children or have them do their own research to answer the following questions:

1. What are penguins and where do they live?
2. What do most penguins eat? How much do they eat?
3. How many species of penguins are there?
4. What sounds do penguins make?
5. What are their mating habits? Do they nest?
6. How do they care for their young?
7. What does a penguin egg look like?

Find penguins of the world and their regions with this interactive map.

There are 17 species of penguin. Most are named for the location or regions they breed. Consider doing a geography study with your  penguin study. Here are a few great online resources for learning about specific penguin species:

1. African penguins or African blackfooted penguins
2. Adélie penguins
3. Emperor penguins
4. Chinstrap penguins
5. Erect crested enguin
6. Fiordland penguin
7. Galapagoes penguin
8. Humboldt penguins
9. King penguins
10. Little blue penguin (These little guys are the cutest ever!)
11. Macaroni penguin
12. Magellanic penguin
13. Rockhopper penguin
14. Royal penguins
15. Gentoo penguins
16. Snares penguin
17. Yellow eyed penguin

Observe Penguins:

Go to your local zoo and actually observe penguin behavior or observe African blackfooted penguins on the very cool Penguin Cam from Monterey Bay Aquarium!

Free Educational Resources, Study Guides and Printables for Mr. Popper’s Penguins:

Homeschool Share Mr. Popper’s Penguins Lapbook
Mr. Popper’s Penguins Study Guide PDF
Mr. Popper’s Penguins Study Guide PDF
Scholastic Penguin Growth Worksheet
Mr. Popper’s Penguins Classroom Activity Sheets (Vocabulary and Comprehension)

[More Freebies on Harrington Harmonies]

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