More Notebook Pages

I'm trying to get us back in the habit of making notebook pages. We've really let that slide, but we've had such a good week that we've easily found the time to fit it back in. I wanted to share what we've done.

Ruth was fascinated with the study of North Korea. She just cannot imagine living under such a totalitarian regime. I admit, I think it's pretty scary myself. She thought it very odd that there were actual flowers bred in honor of these leaders.


Robert studied the War of 1812 a couple of weeks ago, but I wanted a notebook page for it, so we went ahead and did that this week.


We're taking next week off of school next week, but I'm hoping to do some catch-up on notebooking pages then. Maybe I'll have more to show in another week or so.

(Ruth's page uses Always Asia paper from Raspberry Road. Robert's page uses Celebrating paper from Shabby Princess.)

Notebooking

One thing I'm trying to emphasize this year is notebooking. We've done simple notebook pages in the past, but I wanted to add some pizzazz to it this year. The kids don't enjoy subject-specific hands-on projects, so I thought this might add a bit of fun and creativity to our days.

I got most of my ideas from the blog Ambleside Classical. She has some wonderful ideas and instructions for notebooking.

We are using the software Creating Keepsakes Scrapbook Designer as our basis. We either use it for paper and designs that we then cut and glue, or we do all the work with the software. I'm still learning how to use the software, so I expect their pages will only get better as I find more and more to do with it.

This is Ruthie's first page. The "journalling" is from her IEW writing assignment. The background paper and title are from the CK software. We got the pictures off the internet.

We printed everything separately, then cut and pasted it together. We learned that if we're going to do this, we need to use cardstock for the background paper. I also think using scrapbook adhesive would be better. The glue warped the pages even though we used the gel glue that's not supposed to do that.

I had to really encourage Ruthie to do this, but she enjoyed it in the end.

Robert's first page was about George Washington. Along with his writing assignment, we used a picture of Washington from Homeschool in the Woods' Time Travelers CD. I am using selected items from this study to supplement what Robert is learning. I also made out an information sheet for him to fill out on all the presidents. I hope to have a page for each president studied.

We printed the background on cardstock. The title is part of the background as well. See, we're learning!

Robert was not as much of a participant in this as I wanted, but he did give me his opinions, and put it all together. I figure we have to start somewhere.


This is Ruthie's page from today. It was made completely with the CK software. She chose the title because it the letters hop like kangaroos. The picture is from wikipedia.

Ruthie did most of the work on this page herself and is very happy with how it turned out.

Robert really enjoyed making his most recent page. As soon as he saw this title option, he said, "Star Wars!" and I knew he was hooked.

While we worked on this together, he said, "I wish I could do this all by myself." So do I, son, and that is the goal.

I've been trying to think of something to add to our school days, something the kids will really look forward to. I hope this is it. It's fun, creative, and will leave them with a wonderful book at the end of the year.

History Notebook Pages

I have wanted the kids to make history notebook pages all year long, but haven't gotten around to it (a very common problem with me). I suddenly realized that the year was winding to a close. If I wanted to do them (and hopefully get into the habit of them for next year), I needed to start NOW.

Luckily, we were at a good place to start. We just finished studying the writing of the Declaration of Independence. I think the beginning of our country is a fine place to begin.

I got some 8.5x11 paper that is sort of patriotic (color-wise, anyway). I printed off a picture of the Declaration of Independence from the internet. I then gave the kids the option of printing the title on the computer or hand-writing it. They both chose to use the computer. They then had to write a few things about the famous document. We cut things out and glued them on the paper. Here are the final results!


Robert's is on the left. I gave him guidance on where to place things (read "told him exactly what to do"). I left Ruth free to do her own thing. I found her placement rather interesting. :)

They are nothing fancy, but they are done, and we are (hopefully!) on our way to making notebook pages on a regular basis.