What is Notebooking?

Essentially, notebooking is learning about a topic and then writing about it by means of a journal (notebook) page. It also includes some type of picture that is the focus of what is being studied. This can either be an image that is already on the page, or a space provided that the student can draw their own picture (or words that can be decorated). Download Flower Notebook Page. 

What are the benefits to Notebooking?

• Multi-age level- Every student can make a notebook page. Younger students can draw or color the page and you can write down what they are telling you about the topic. Older students can create pages independently.  You can use notebook pages when your family is learning a subject together such as science or listening to a book read aloud as in the case of a history topic or a novel. Each student has their own page and each writes what they have learned. The notebook pages can be modified to fit younger or older students, depending upon the needs of your children. As a further extension, each child can share what they drew and/or wrote with the family after everyone is finished with their notebook page. These can be saved and placed in a binder for documentation of the school year. 
• Writing less- Perhaps you have a student who looks at a blank piece of paper and freezes on what to write. Maybe your son struggles with writing or does not have much to put down on paper. A notebook page is a way of helping him focus on the picture and write just about that topic.
• Narrating- Instead of a worksheet, your daughter can draw a picture and write about what she is learning. This method synthesizes writing and knowledge to show what she has learned.
• Summarizing- Notebook pages aid your son or daughter in taking information they have learned and condensing it into a few sentences or a paragraph.
• Creating- For your daughter or son who loves to draw or doodle, this is perfect since s/he has an area to express themselves and their ideas instead of a blank area of a workbook page or a margin of notebook paper. 

What is included in a Notebook Page?

Here is where you can be creative! The page can be anything you choose, such as: 

• a historical figure or event, a map, a battle, a timeline (social studies)
• a scientific topic, terms (science)
• vocabulary, a character from a book, literary elements (language arts)
• a story problem, a formula, or a concept such as fractions  (math)
• scriptures, a poem, lyrics, a speech, a quote, or a dictation passage
• something in nature such as: an animal or a plant
• an artist or a piece of artwork

Here is an example of a notebook page that has a picture of a flower and its parts. Click to download page: Parts of Flower NBP

What age student can do Notebooking?

That is the wonderful thing about notebooking pages; students of all ages can use them. From younger students who are learning the difference between about living and non-living things, to older students learning about photosynthesis, each pupil can use this format to further their studies. Everyone’s notebooking page will be unique since each student will write and draw what they have learned.

Is there a curriculum that use the notebook idea?

Notebooking Pages also has a free product sampler and if you like what you see, and I am sure you will, you can purchase a subscription. These pages can compliment what you are studying or can stand alone.

Apologia Science has notebooking pages for older and younger students. Click on the image to read more details.