Notebooking and Classical Conversations
Monday, October 28, 2013 at 5:00AM
Notebooking is our favorite way to learn.
Each week we take the Classical Conversations memory work and print applicable notebooking pages. I put them in Grant's memory work binder, and as the week progresses he completes pages that interest him.
This not only helps him memorize the material, but also lets him dig deeper in certain areas and have a tangible keepsake of his hard work.
Notebooking rocks!
*This post contains affiliate links
{In case, you're wondering how to notebook, check out Getting Started with Notebooking. You can also read my friend Jimmie's Notebooking Success eBook, which is packed with ideas.}
Two Simple Notebooking Resources
Part of the beauty of CC is the SIMPLICITY it has brought to our homeschool.
Each week I consult just two sources for notebooking pages.
By making an investment in these two resources at the beginning of the school year, I know each week I will have two excellent resources at my disposal. I save time and hassle this way, and Grant LOVES the consistency, too!
CC Connected - This is the online subscription end of Classical Conversations. It's well worth the small fee I pay each month to be able to download member created materials. (see What is CC Connected? to learn more)
Notebooking Pages - We have been using Notebooking Pages for two years now. It has changed my planning drastically!
I have a Lifetime Treasury Membership. I can't speak highly enough of this resource!
Now, I just log into Notebooking Pages and search the subject I am looking for and print the necessary pages. Easy.
Here's a short video showing you the latest history sentence for CC (Cycle 2, Week 8), and how Grant notebooked his way through that sentence.
These pages come from the World Explorers set (you can download a sample of the set if you'd like to see it up close!).
(In case you were wondering about the nifty little memory work book you see in the video, you can download and print this from And Here We Go!.
Notebooking Through All Areas of the Grammar
My son enjoys notebooking through history the most.
I always provide science pages, too. In the collage below you can see Five Kinds of Stars, from CC Connected, and also a Sun notebooking page from Notebooking Pages.
Grant also loves to include his map tracings (have you read my post about Geography and CC?) and other goodies in the memory work binder.
The sky is the limit when you are notebooking!
Notebooking allows for a lot of structure, yet much creativity with the weekly memory work.
Less is More
Once I figured out that memory work really is enough, homeschool became much more simple.
We review the memory work each morning, and then Grant gets to work in his notebook.
Add a Saxon math lesson, some good read alouds, lots of LEGO learning, and we're set.
I know I'm saying it a lot, but we are SO THANKFUL for Classical Conversations!
How do you reinforce the weekly memory work at home?
Reader Comments (6)
Thanks for sharing! This post is so helpful. We are considering homeschooling our kids next year and have already visited cc. I have been struggling to figure out just how much we need to do in addition. I have read a lot about notebooking, but it is so helpful to see completed pages, and to know that you let him choose which ones to complete. Do you just keep all pages in your memory work notebook, or do they move to other homes after completed. I can see that there would be a lot of paper, but I also see the value in reviewing the memory work. I really enjoy reading your blog! Thanks for sharing about your homeschool and your life. Now we are off To fill 3 OCC boxes since the kids are out of school today. I got a printable tracking label, so we would know if they end up with you in Ecuador!
Thank you for the insight. We are highly considering CC next year and I am enjoying reading how this year is going for you and your transition. I have a question about weekly/monthly/yearly preparation. I have a few little ones the house and it is much easier to prepare my school year in advance (at least monthly/quarterly) and it looks like you are downloading notebook pages weekly. Can you give me a glimpse of what your preparation looks like weekly/monthly/yearly for your children.
Thank you very much. Blessings.
I love your blog and your ideas, but am also constantly overwhelmed at the flood of information and resources that are out there. I am trying very hard to remember that the memory work is enough... but where do you start and where do you stop with the enrichment work that accompanies the memory work???
We are in our first year of CC and I can't say enough how awesome this program is, too!! My 6 year old has learned sooo much... not big into writing in the moment, but I will be keeping note of your post for when he is - I think that is a great way to reinforce! Right now we have the cds in the car and they are played so much that I'm even singing the songs and repeating the facts... haha!! Love your posts on CC... please keep them coming!!
This is our 4th year in CC. We love it, but I see it as a supplement to our regular curriculum. With my daughter in her 2nd year in Essentials, she has a lot of work to do each day. All total she is doing spelling, eel (grammar), math, IEW, reading, and memory work. My son (1st grade) is doing math, spelling, phonics, grammar,reading, writing with ease, and handwriting, plus memory work. I would love for my kids to do note booking, but after they have completed "the basics", we rarely have time for it.
My question for you is: do your kids have a spelling, writing,grammar, and phonics curriculum?
Thanks!
I am thinking about signing up for the notebooking membership. Do you find most of the CC stuff already available or are you having to make your own notebook pages? I love this idea but don't want to have to spend a ton of time making my own. Thank you!