06-25-2008

Storing Notebooks

By Renae

My son’s school work is stored in binders. At the end of each year, his revelations are bound with thick rubber bands and placed in the garage closet. Five years worth of notes, pictures, and maps hidden away. Not anymore.

I planned to start school on Monday. And we did, sort of. After eating the Deckard’s famous (now animal-shaped) waffles, we sang, read a Scripture, and prayed. Craft time followed, because bookmarks save time, and our stash vanished. While coloring, Sweet Pea informed me making bookmarks is not school. “You have to go to school,” she insisted. She’s only three, so there is time to persuade her. Her own pink binder helped a bit.

A Young Boy with Books and Toys by Auguste Macke

Then I needed to decide what to do with Bug’s notebooks. Relinquishing them to the garage, yet again, seemed to obscure the purpose. I want my children to have a record of their learning, to delight in reviewing their discoveries. That doesn’t happen if their work is stuffed out of sight.

I mulled over the idea of combining five years worth of notebooks and building on the foundation already laid. The stacks intimidated, but the reward waited.

I separated each subject for various grades and removed math and spelling worksheets. Bug’s first year drawings brought smiles of remembrance. His growing understanding demonstrated as the pages progress. Every year we discuss the what and why of each subject, so I threw away duplicates. A few subjects like geography, math, and literature were easy to weave together; others are in portfolios separated by grade. My son has his own reference library, a reminder of what he accomplished.

However, the rewards of my labor aren’t shelves full of handwritten books. They are only tools. The true prize is in the heart of my child. When he applies what he learns to life. When he knows how to find wisdom. When he experiences the calm peace of industriousness. When he remembers the reasons for integrity.

More than records on paper, may truth be written on his heart, where it can never be erased or tossed aside.

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17 Comments

  1. Melissa 06-25-2008, 7:10 am

    The “ownership” they get with notebooking is so great! They do stack up over time though! :)

  2. Michele 06-25-2008, 8:05 am

    Hey, I enjoyed your post. I had decided to try to implement notebooks into our schooling this year too. I think it will make learning take on a whole new meaning, when they are able to create something on their own and not just fill out simple worksheets. I hope to see their creative “juices” come to the surface.

  3. Emily 06-25-2008, 11:56 am

    I have a GIGANTIC box….the huge Rubbermaid kind that you put sleeping bags in? Filled since…well, ages ago. I like the idea of going through it, but it gives me a headache. I REALLY like your idea of seeing a progression in each topic. Very cool.

    Last year I threw a ton of things away though, too much to store w/ all the moving. Nate might wonder what he did for those months. :)

  4. Renae 06-25-2008, 12:55 pm

    Melissa,
    Yes, I decided I needed a system now. One child’s stuff is easier to deal with than three.

    Michele,
    Notebooking is nice because it is so flexible. A variety of things can be stored by using pockets and page protectors.

    PrincipledMom wrote a good post you might enjoy about the rewards of notebooks.

  5. Renae 06-25-2008, 1:02 pm

    Emily,
    I understand that. I decided to deal with the papers before they multiplied beyond comprehension. As Bug gets older, as in this year, I’m going to transfer the responsibility to him. He can keep his favorite work, and it will be a good review.

    Unfortunately, I can’t take credit for the idea. ;) I borrowed it from Lisa at Lifestyle Education through Discipleship.

  6. chickadee 06-25-2008, 9:36 pm

    i have shelves full of notebooks too. i can’t bear to throw them away yet.

  7. Michele P 06-25-2008, 10:43 pm

    I don’t homeschool, but keep my kids papers and schoolwork in a Rubbermaid type shoebox for each year they are in school. Now that my son is in high school, he hardly brings things home for me to keep anymore-and I miss his works of art. His little sister is going into 1st grade and is keeping me busy enough for the two of them. Glad to know I am not the only mom out there that enjoys these little keepsakes!

  8. Mandi 06-25-2008, 11:03 pm

    Amen and amen again - well said Renae! The heart is the key. I want the lessons my kids learn to inspire a deeper love for God, more ‘ahhh’ for who God is, and a deeper faith in His complete wisdom and power.
    I did this same thing last year and now sometimes as the kids go to file new papers they get lost in nostalgia as they flip through their binders to find the right place to file their new work. I love it! ( :
    It was a lot of work but well worth it.

  9. Jenna 06-26-2008, 10:26 am

    Hi Renae-

    You put your url on your comment to me on Paperback Swap. I sent you the All Through the day…

    I thought I’d stop by and visit your blog since I am a homeschool blogger as well. And guess what? I actually read your blog! Isn’t it a small world :)

    Jenna

  10. Renae 06-26-2008, 11:02 am

    Michele,
    My mom kept all my report cards and a lot of my artwork, but I haven’t seen it in ages.

    I’m hoping my children will take ownership of their work and that it will become a treasure to them, too.

    And I’m glad you still have someone creating things for you to store. I think I’m going to start sending some of my daughter’s doodles to her grandparents to spread the love and shrink my pile.

  11. Renae 06-26-2008, 11:07 am

    Mandi,
    I’m glad I’m not the only one who did this. It will be much easier to manage now though.

    I didn’t think of planning extra time for reminiscing during our lessons though. I’m glad you warned me. :)

    Jenna,
    Hey, I read your blog, too. How fun is that! And thanks again for the book.

  12. Dawn @ My Home Sweet 06-26-2008, 11:41 am

    Good post. I always wonder what to do with all the schoolwork, too. ;-)

  13. Susan 06-27-2008, 6:34 am

    Thanks for the nudge about what I should do after 4-H fair and 4-H records this summer. We’ll go through their ’stuff’ and have a wonderful day doing it. ie..reviewing their lives. Seems like that would be a good way to prepare for future work too.

    Homeschoolers keep my head on straight and always remind me about the important things.

  14. Renae 06-27-2008, 9:30 am

    Dawn,
    Thank you. Dealing with the paper is such a big job. Having a plan will help me a lot.

    Susan,
    I had to rethink the value of the stuff. If I truly want my children to value their work, it should not be relegated to the garage where it is never seen. At least, not until the garage becomes our family room. ;)

    I find encouragement from other homeschoolers, too. I’m so glad I don’t have to figure out everything on my own.

  15. Melinda 06-28-2008, 10:01 am

    This was such an inspiring post! I have several stashes of old drawings, etc that would be great combined into anthologies of my kids’ art and school work. Thanks!

  16. Jamie in Rose Cottage 08-2-2008, 9:58 pm

    Good ideas! I look forward to including this in next week’s CM blog carnival!

  17. Renae 08-4-2008, 10:34 am

    Melinda,
    I’m glad you see other applications. Please share your anthologies when you are done. :)

    During the HOTM Conference Kelli Crowe shared how she stores her children’s artwork. She simply places them in a binder. Here is the video of her simple binder system.

    Jamie,
    Thanks. I look forward to the carnival!

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