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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Growing a Detective. You might think that I’d be writing about “growing an artist”. But the facts are that our children aren’t always like us. Sometimes they are born with different strengths and abilities than our own. So how do we encourage them to do something that we ourselves aren’t naturally good at?

I have found the answer to this in giving my child the opportunity to try the things he’s interested in. I don’t know if he will actually become a detective, but if it’s his desire I want to encourage him and help him to succeed at it.

Growing a Detective – Provide Resources-

One thing I always do is try to provide resources for my children’s interests. One fantastic book on this topic is DK Eyewitness Book is Crime and Detection. It gives a fascinating overview of crime through history and the methods used to detect it. The book begins with a historical view of crime and law enforcement and then moves on to the many techniques used to solve crimes. As always with the Eyewitness books, the pictures and captions made it very easy for him to read and enjoy. And the facts and Q&A parts of the book were just fun to read together.

In addition, it offers a timeline. We were even able to add and review a few things for our ancient history timeline last week, such as the early laws for ancient societies- Hamurabbi’s Code (1750 BC)  and the Ten Commandments (1200 BC). The glossary of terms in the back was definitely not a list I would normally include in our homeschool. So, it was an excellent addition and really expanded my normal range as a teacher. This is something that is really wonderful resources can always do!

And here’s a terrific resource on over 400 different Careers. It’s excellent and concise and gives you a quick breakdown on industry, hours, training, salary and related fields. This is a book you’ll want to have in your library from the middle school years on up!

Here are a few more great books on detection for kids:

• Forensic Science (DK Eyewitness Books)
• Spy (DK Eyewitness Books)
• By Alex Frith- Forensic Science
• Crime Scene Investigations: Real-Life Science Labs For Grades 6-12

Support the Interest with Experiences and Opportunities-

Another thing we can do is offer experiences. It a great way for a child to see if any line of work is something they really do want to do. Many sheriff and law enforcement offices will give tours to school children. Last year we toured our local police station and it was neat to see how they worked behind the scenes. The kids got to see parts of the jail, dispatch, and also tour some of the cars and vehicles the officers use.

There are also ride along programs for kids that you may not know about. Check with your local police department to see if they run a Police Explorers program for youth ages 14-20. Many offer actual experiences for police training in:

• Community Policing
• Crime Prevention
• Crimes Scene Analysis & Investigation
• Domestic Violence / Victim Services
• K-9 Program
• Traffic Enforcement and Tactical Operations
• Firearms Safety
• Radio Procedure

Have a child to encourage? Check out how the moms of iHomeschool Network are growing a success.

The post Growing a Detective appeared first on Dymphna's Song.

As we head into the middle years I want my son to develop skills for research and improve his writing skills. I also expect more independence in the daily homeschool routine as opposed to sitting down with him for every subject all day. My role will switch more to facilitator; giving feedback for improvement while providing resources for learning.

5th Grade Curriculum for an Eclectic Homeschool

Religion:

Apologia World View Training – from Apologia.

Catholic Catechism  (CCD) and Weekly Adoration Devotion- I’m teaching 5th grade CCD for our parish this year and Eucharistic Adoration is a regular weekly devotion of ours.

Language Arts:

English 5- Seton Home Study School- Seton has excellent English courses. We actually enrolled in the course because I needed some accountability. It’s not my students strong point so I wanted something forthright and concise.

Sequential Spelling (DVD)-  I opted for the DVD series this year. Read my full review on Sequential Spelling.

Composition will also be added as part of a co-op we will be participating in this year.

Arithmetic:

Teaching Textbooks 6– Read my full review which compares TT with the other programs we have used and the reasons why it works for us.

Science:

Zoology 1- Flying Creatures of the 5th Day– This is our first time using Apologia for science but I am very excited as it looks like a wonderful program. This will also be part of our co-op.

Geography:

This year I am having my son fill out these FREE State Notebooking Pages. So for this year we’ll be studying all 50 states.

History and Literature:

Most of our history this year will be through Kansas Filed Trips or historical fiction selections. In addition I plan to write some unit studies  and use them as well. Here are some literature selections for this year so far:

• Tree in the Trail
• Oz: The Complete Collection (All 14 Oz Books, with Illustrated Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and Exclusive Bonus Features) ONLY $.99!
• George Washington Carver: Man’s Slave Becomes God’s Scientist (Sower Series)
• Who Was Amelia Earhart?
• By the Great Horn Spoon!

 Extra Curricular:

Art and Music- Gr. 4 Harmony Fine Arts and Simple Start in Chalk Pastels. We’ll also be doing my own lessons too, which you’ll be able to follow here on Harrington Harmonies.

Cooking- with our co-op

P.E.- Tae Kwon Do

Link up your homeschool plan or find more @ iHomeschool Networks 5th Annual

Not Back to School Blog Hop:

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