You will need a few supplies for notebooking.  I have created a list for you to use as a guide.  **Remember: you can be as creative as you like.**

I will put the shopping list as a PDF you can download so that you can bring it with you while you shop.  Just click below.

Notebooking Shopping List

Notebooks or Binders—We have used both.  The clear cover binder will allow you to make your own personalized cover pages.  Checkout places like Sam’s Club or Costco for some of your list items.  Sometimes (NOT always) they will have the best bulk price.

Plastic Sheet Protectors—These are splendid for binder!!  It protects the childrens hard work from tears or smudges.  I buy these in bulk for I use them for my home keeping book and numerous other projects I have going.

Paper—for binders.  You can choose any type you like.  The variety is ENDLESS.  Colored paper, construction paper, card stock, printer paper.

Scissors—ALL kinds!  The fancy edge scissors make a nice presentation for pictures.

Pens and pencils—ALL types!!  Highlighters, color pencils, markers, gel pens, glitter pens.  The assortment is INFINTE.

Camera—Any style.  This is NOT a must.  If you do have one let me encourage you to use it.  A digital is great for you can insert your pictures right into your word document for easy printing and creating.

Glue and Tape

Stickers—Stickers can add a little “panache” to your creation.

Rubbers Stamps—These are great fun to use.

**TIP:  I like to purchase the hard back book journals and sketch books at Border’s Book Store for special projects.  They cost around $5-7.  They make an impressive presentation.

**TIP2:  Take a look in the scrapbooking section of the craft store.  There are TONS of items to help you create “outside the box” notebooks!!

Happy Homeschooling,

Lisa Golda

Lisa Golda lives in Texas with her husband Tom and their 2 daughters Katie and Maryanna.  She has homeschooled for over 10 years, creating notebooking pages and ”how to’s”.

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There is no correct or incorrect way when it comes to notebooking.  Each notebook is an “only one of its kind”.  Each child will glean their own knowledge and see things differently from another which makes their notebooks “their own” creation.  Their notebook will reflect their own individuality.

NO subject is restricted when it comes to notebooking.

It takes time and planning when first starting out in notebooking.  Once you get started and have a routine you will find that it will take no time to prepare for your subjects.

I like to start with what curriculum I will be using IF any.  Purchasing textbooks or other educational material is not always essential to teach your children properly. 

A course of study is valuable.  Mapping this out will help keep you focused on your overall objectives of what you want to get accomplished.

We need to grow accustomed to thinking “outside the box”.  There is no reason why we have to cover every subject every day.  We need to envision doing things differently.  Become inventive with your schedule (unless you have legal restrictions).

A schedule will help you put your course of study into a realistic layout so that you can make the utmost use of your time, energy, and materials.

Below is a link of planning pages I made that may help you get organized with subject material.

Homeschool Subject Planner

Happy Homeschooling,

Lisa Golda

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When starting out with something new, some like to see a visual of just how it’s done.  Well I found just that for you.

Notebooking Exhibit

Jimmie has tons of fabulous pages showing examples of notebooking pages, projects and lapbooking!!  It’s well worth your time to explore her site.  She is also a blogger here as well.

http://homeschoolblogger.com/jimmie

I have enjoyed the time I’ve spent at Jimmie’s blog.  I have learned much and her pictures are wonderful!!  You are sure to come away with TONS of information, a better understanding of notebooking, and excitement in getting started on your own projects.

Thank you Jimmie for such a wonderful exhibit and blog!!

Happy Homeschooling,

Lisa Golda

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Are you thinking about a new homeschool year?  We are almost at that time again.  Homeschool convention time.  If you are new to homeschooling this task of planning for your child or children’s education can be a daunting one.  Even for seasoned homeschool moms or dads this can be a complex responsibility.  There seem to be new approaches developing every year.

One method I discovered and was impressed with is notebooking.

Some of you may have heard about notebooking in homeschool circles and questioned, "What is notebooking?"

Notebooking is a learning technique in home education.  There are numerous methods used in educating our young ones at home and notebooking can be utilized with all.

Let’s define notebooking.  Notebooking is a term given to what is similar to journaling.  Webster’s 1828 Dictionary definition of journal is

Journal—A diary; an account of daily transactions and events.

This is what our children will be doing when they apply this style of learning to their school work.  They will gather information on the topic being studied.  They will write reports, draw pictures, make a timeline, make maps, etc. and assemble it in their notebooks, thus the term “notebooking”. 

Notebooking allows children to have enjoyment while learning.  Notebooking can bring out a child’s imagination while achieving success in their education.  When they begin to gather information and start building their notebooks, the information they are learning, writing, and drawing about becomes entrenched in their minds.  They will also have a magnificent illustration of their own skill that is preserved to show to family and friends.

Let me remind you that notebooking is not for everyone.  Every child learns differently.  You need to figure out what your child/children’s learning style is and implement matter that is conducive to their style of learning.  Take your time and do your research and things will fall into place.  I have been homeschooling for over 10 years now and I still find new ways of doing things.  Remember there is no right or wrong way to homeschool. 

I hope that you will join me each week here on “The Company Porch” as we talk about notebooking.  Below is a link to a form I created to help you stay organized at those homeschool conventions.

My Homeschool Agenda

Happy Homeschooling,
Lisa Golda

Lisa Golda lives in Texas with her husband Tom and their 2 daughters Katie and Maryanna.  She has homeschooled for over 10 years, creating notebooking pages and” how to’s”.

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