Notebooking is the most simple, engaging, and effective way to make learning meaningful and memorable without complicated curriculum or dry, stuffy textbooks. But where do you start? To help you get started, weโve created a detailed step-by-step QuickStart Guide and a free notebooking sampler you can grab here.
Finding Time for Notebooking in Your Day
First, set aside a specific time in your day for notebooking. This is where I stumbled when we first started. I tried to squeeze it in on top of everything else we were doing. Trust meโyou donโt want to make that mistake! Overloading your day will overwhelm both you and your kids, and that path leads straight to burnout. So, how do you carve out more time? Start by cutting out the busywork.
Cut the Busywork Out of Your Homeschool
What kind of busywork can you cut from your childโs day? How do you decide whatโs just busywork? For me, it starts with looking at the end product of what theyโre doing. Does this project or activity leave a lasting impact? Does it deepen their understanding or just fill time?
Consider how engaged they are. Are they actively thinking and making connections, or just going through the motions? Not every part of learning (or notebooking) has to be fun, and some subjects focus on practicing skills. But, we can make learning more enjoyable by using approaches that encourage meaningful interaction with the material. Thatโs where notebooking shines!
Ask yourself: Will their work end up in the trash, collect dust on a shelf, or be stuffed in a tote never to be seen again? And when you ask, โWhat did you learn?โ do they give you an answer or just a blank stare? Thatโs probably the best way to spot busywork (or at least something that is not working). Before we started notebooking, probably half of what we did in every subject fell into that category.
With notebooking, theyโre actively engaging with the material and showing you what theyโve learned. Thatโs why, when you ask, โWhat did you learn today?โ theyโll always have something to share. Their notebooks will gradually fill with these nuggets of knowledge, becoming treasured keepsakes for years to come.
Tips for Simple and Effective Notebooking
The easiest way to get started with notebooking is to choose just one subject. Youโll eventually explore many subjects and interests, but for now, letโs keep it simple. Pick a subject that you and your children already enjoy, and cut out the busywork in that area for at least two weeks while you give notebooking a try.
During this time, focus on reading quality books and having discussions with your children. Encourage them to give oral narrations from their readings and read-alouds. If you have a chalkboard or whiteboard, jot down key words, dates, important names, places, and new vocabulary they encounter during reading time. Allow them to refer to these for their oral narration and notebooking time.
How to Pick a Notebooking Topic
After youโve finished reading, discussing, and narrating, ask your child:
What did you find most important or interesting about what you studied today?
Their answer will become the topic of their first notebooking page. This approach makes it easy for them to get started. Later, you can introduce more variety and topics, but for now, letโs keep the focus on just one idea. Next, help them put their thoughts onto paper. You can use a template page (like the ones we offer) or plain paperโwhatever works best. Then, set them to writing about their chosen topic.
Choosing a Notebooking Page
When it comes to notebooking, what you use isnโt as important as simply getting started. You can use a plain piece of paper, a spiral notebook, or a composition journal. The key is to choose what feels right for you and your child.
If a blank page feels overwhelming, pre-made notebooking pages can provide just enough structure to make the process less intimidating. With a variety of layouts, they offer flexibility for whatever your child wants to includeโwhether itโs drawing, writing, or a mix of bothโwhile still leaving plenty of room for creativity.
To get started, pick one of these options:
- Use a plain piece of paper, a spiral notebook, or composition journal.
- Select one of our Free Notebooking Pages.
- Try a page from one of our notebooking sets in the Notebooking Shop.
- Use a page from our Notebooking Pages LIFETIME Membership collection.
Helping Your Child with Notebooking Writing
A simple way to help them organize their writing is to start with what they found most important or interesting. They can structure it in different ways: one section for what was most important and another for what was most interesting, or focus on two things that stood out to them. If theyโre writing about a story or event, they can use a โfirst, then, lastโ approach to put their thoughts in order.
A good guideline for how much writing to do for notebooking is one sentence for each year theyโve been schooling. For example, a 1st grader writes one sentence, a 2nd grader two, and by 4th grade, they can aim for a short paragraph.
If theyโre too young to write on their own or their hands canโt keep up with their thoughts, donโt hesitate to be their pencil. I often scribe for my kids until around 3rd grade, especially when their ideas outpace their writing abilities. If needed, you can go beyond the suggested guidelines above by having them dictate while you finish the writing. The key is to do what works best for each child, keeping the process manageable and encouraging them to express what theyโve learned.
Try not to make this a strict writing lesson. The goal is to get their thoughts on paper without worrying about a red pen waiting to correct them. Save grammar, spelling, and writing lessons for when youโre focusing on those specific subjects. Notebooking time will give you a clear picture of how their skills are coming along, so go easy on the technical aspects. Be their editor, dictionary, and thesaurus as needed (or better yet, only when requested).
Encourage them to fill the page with what they know (not with what you can remind them). This process builds their thinking skills, so it might take some time for them to get used to it. Be patient and give plenty of encouragement. Youโll treasure the difference it makes in what they choose to write for their notebooksโIโm always amazed!
Adding Something Visual with Notebooking
Now that theyโve chosen their topic and written about it, ask how they would like to show what they learned or complement their writing. They could add an illustration, diagram, map, colored picture, photograph, or even simple decorations to the page. Try not to structure this too much for them. In the beginning, they might need some suggestions, but encourage them to choose their own artwork as much as possible. This is their notebook, and we want it to be an extension of their creativity.
Sometimes, they might want to start with the visuals, especially if the material theyโre studying lends itself to a more graphic focus. In these cases, they can create their illustrations or diagrams first, then use writing to amplify and explain what theyโve drawn. Whether they start with words or pictures, the goal is to make the notebooking process a blend of both, tailored to what works best for them and the subject.
Organizing and Storing Finished Notebooking Pages
Once theyโve completed their page, add it to their notebook. When youโre first starting, itโs often easier to keep all the notebooking pagesโregardless of subjectโin a single binder. You can use sheet protectors if you want to keep the pages in good condition, then simply file them in as they finish each one. As you develop your notebooking routine, you might decide to use separate binders for different subjects. Another great option is to create customizable spiral notebooks using the ProClick binding tool. The ProClick spines can open and close, allowing you to continue adding pages as needed. There are no rules here! Iโve done it both ways, and they both work just fine.
Pin this for later!
If youโve wrapped up that topic, move on to the next one. If not, continue adding more pages as you explore the study further. You might choose to create a more detailed page together the next day, including key facts or details you feel are important. Just be sure to leave room for their own creativity and thoughts. Structure is great, as long as it doesnโt turn notebooking into the busywork weโre aiming to avoid.
Get Started with Notebooking Today
Donโt wait until you have everything figured out or the perfect supplies to start notebooking. Make the time and dive in with your kids! You might even enjoy creating your own notebooking pages alongside them.
Looking back, I can see how much time I spent on different methods, curricula, and busywork. Notebooking has truly been the most effective tool in our homeschooling. It marked the beginning of a whole new way of learning for us, and I hope it brings the same blessings to your family.
Download our Free QuickStart Guide and Notebooking Pages to see how easy it is to incorporate notebooking into your homeschool.
Do you struggle with consistency in your homeschool? Our Notebooking Pages LIFETIME Membership gives you ready-to-use templates and resources that make it easy to keep going, even on the busiest days. Build lasting results and see your kids grow into confident learners. Get started here for just $10!
