Notebooking 101: Interest-Led Notebooking

I remember a time when my kids would actually cry whenever I would try to get them to write. The mere mention of the words “essay,” “report,” or “composition” would immediately induce a flood of waterworks.

It was bad.

As a writer, the fact that my kids hated writing was doubly hard. How could my children despise doing something that gives me so much pleasure?

Then one day, the answer to this question hit me like a ton of bricks: I enjoy writing because it’s my choice. I choose the topic, the style, and how long it will be. Whether I write 300 words or 1,500, when it comes down to it, I have no restrictions. This freedom makes a task that sends so many people running in the opposite direction not only manageable, but enjoyable.

I knew I wanted to give that gift to my kids so that they, too, would come to know the joys of producing the written word, but how could I accomplish that? 

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The Busy Mom’s Guide to Notebooking Resources

Around this time last year, I found myself getting into a bit of a funk. As is typical with many homeschooling families this time of the year, I realized that my kids and I just weren’t as excited about our homeschool as we used to be. There was more than the usual amount of complaining, bickering, and dragging of the feet in the mornings.

And my kids were just as bad! 😉 

10 Reasons Why You Should Use Notebooking in Your Homeschool

Have you ever wondered how some people can seem just so. darn. excited. about their homeschool? I mean, really. Let’s be honest. While there are lots of great ideas floating around out there, is there really anything that is worth absolutely gushing over?

I’m going to say yes.

Last year, I encountered a homeschool trick that not only changed our homeschool, but also completely changed my children’s attitudes towards doing their school work every day: