I've been looking through my first week sample of "Preparing" & trying to come up with a list of things to get ready over the summer. Since this is my first time with HOD, I may be missing something. Does this sound right:
3-ring binders:
one for History
one for Science
one for English/DITHOR
index cards & file for vocabulary
Common Place Book - I'm not sure what I want to use for this. I like the idea of a composition book, but with a binder you can make mistakes & start a page over without tearing a page out.
Preparing for Preparing
Hi Janet! I still need to read through the Introduction one more time for Preparing... to be "prepared" next year, but from what I recall, your list sounds just right. You can just use tabbed dividers and have your history, science, and other papers you want to keep in one BIG binder too. But, I liked having them separate like you listed out this year with Bigger... We used clear protector sleeves and binders.
I'm still trying to decide what to use for the Common Place Book too. Do you think it's more special to have a "sketchbook" or "composition book" that is separate than a 3-ring binder? Of course, I love the practicality of a 3-ring binder though. Mistakes are more easily fixed, and "moved around" in the binders. Hmmmm, have to think on that one!
I'm still trying to decide what to use for the Common Place Book too. Do you think it's more special to have a "sketchbook" or "composition book" that is separate than a 3-ring binder? Of course, I love the practicality of a 3-ring binder though. Mistakes are more easily fixed, and "moved around" in the binders. Hmmmm, have to think on that one!
Enjoyed LHTH to USII
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie
One idea I was considering was using a regular binder, but letting him use "fancy" paper for this notebook - lined paper with different borders & illustrations. Then, at the end of the year I could take all the sheets out of their binders and have them spiral bound at Office Depot. I thought it might encourage him to write more neatly!
I don't have any kids getting ready to do Preparing, but I had some thoughts on a common place book. (BTW--where are you all reading about these? It sounds like they are mentioned in the intro to Preparing, but I can't find that on the site. Edited to add: nevermind--found it on the week overview page with an explanation of common place book.)
First off, are you referring to this in its traditional usage? A book in which to write particularly meaningful quotes? Or does Carrie use a common place book as a place to record copywork and narrations? If it is the former, I would go with something durable that the child can add to as he desires over the years. For instance, I started writing down meaningful quotes from books/sermons/class and Bible verses when I was in high school. At the time I just stuck then in a spiral bound notebook. Just a few years ago I ran across that ratty, dirty, torn-up notebook--understand I've been out of high school since the early 80s, so for me to run across that notebook was a miracle. I have since transferred the entries to a hardbound moleskine book. These can be pricey--$15 and up. But, I have found a nice leather bound alternative at Target for right around $8. If your child adds to it year after year, it can become a wonderful keepsake for him (or you) to look back on and see what touched his heart at a given point in his life. Make sure you date the entries. But you know, even if it is just for copywork or narration, I like the idea of something more permanent than filler paper or a spiral bound notebook. Maybe having something that is more permanent would make the child take more care about his handwriting, spelling, etc.
This is just a thought though since I'm not entirely sure that this is what Carrie is referring to as a common place book. I love continuing to keep one as well...I try to add things to it that really speak to me at the place I am in my life at that moment. I go long stretches without writing in it, but then sometimes it seems as if I write in it every time I pick up a book. A durable, nice looking book that is used over the longterm makes a cool way to look back and see how I've changed and grown over the years. The things that spoke to me at certain times in my life.
Anyway, I've rambled enough......
First off, are you referring to this in its traditional usage? A book in which to write particularly meaningful quotes? Or does Carrie use a common place book as a place to record copywork and narrations? If it is the former, I would go with something durable that the child can add to as he desires over the years. For instance, I started writing down meaningful quotes from books/sermons/class and Bible verses when I was in high school. At the time I just stuck then in a spiral bound notebook. Just a few years ago I ran across that ratty, dirty, torn-up notebook--understand I've been out of high school since the early 80s, so for me to run across that notebook was a miracle. I have since transferred the entries to a hardbound moleskine book. These can be pricey--$15 and up. But, I have found a nice leather bound alternative at Target for right around $8. If your child adds to it year after year, it can become a wonderful keepsake for him (or you) to look back on and see what touched his heart at a given point in his life. Make sure you date the entries. But you know, even if it is just for copywork or narration, I like the idea of something more permanent than filler paper or a spiral bound notebook. Maybe having something that is more permanent would make the child take more care about his handwriting, spelling, etc.
This is just a thought though since I'm not entirely sure that this is what Carrie is referring to as a common place book. I love continuing to keep one as well...I try to add things to it that really speak to me at the place I am in my life at that moment. I go long stretches without writing in it, but then sometimes it seems as if I write in it every time I pick up a book. A durable, nice looking book that is used over the longterm makes a cool way to look back and see how I've changed and grown over the years. The things that spoke to me at certain times in my life.
Anyway, I've rambled enough......
Jen
Hsing mom of 3:
DS (20) college, home educated k-12
DD (17) 12th grade (2009-10), home educated
DS (6) Beyond (2009-10, have already started--loving it, btw!)
Hsing mom of 3:
DS (20) college, home educated k-12
DD (17) 12th grade (2009-10), home educated
DS (6) Beyond (2009-10, have already started--loving it, btw!)
Preparing for Preparing
Janet - Thanks for the idea! I actually have some decorative bordered paper that I keep "saving" for something special, but it's time to just USE it! Somehow, I'm using it this year, whether it's for the notebooking or the Common Place Book. I so needed your nudge here!
Jen - I am a bit envious of your having a leather book you've compiled of all of your thoughts and feelings, etc. over the years. Whenever I have come across something I wrote in high school, I'm amazed at the depth of emotion and feelings I wrote about (some of them sound quite silly now
)! However, it's like a little window into the thinking of a teenager. It's the same when I come across something I've written in different "chapters" of my life - like when I had my first baby, etc. I like your idea of a special book that stands the test of time - and leather-bound might be worth the splurge for the Common Place Book. I think you have talked me into this - look out Target - I'm coming with money in hand!
In Christ,
Julie
Jen - I am a bit envious of your having a leather book you've compiled of all of your thoughts and feelings, etc. over the years. Whenever I have come across something I wrote in high school, I'm amazed at the depth of emotion and feelings I wrote about (some of them sound quite silly now
)! However, it's like a little window into the thinking of a teenager. It's the same when I come across something I've written in different "chapters" of my life - like when I had my first baby, etc. I like your idea of a special book that stands the test of time - and leather-bound might be worth the splurge for the Common Place Book. I think you have talked me into this - look out Target - I'm coming with money in hand!In Christ,
Julie
Enjoyed LHTH to USII
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie
Jen,
I just wanted to pop in and mention that we have in mind the traditional CM definition of a "Common Place Book". But, to begin with "Preparing..." we are going to "help" children get an idea of things that are enduring and worthy of being copied in the book by assigning entries for them to make in their books throughout the year. Then, in the guide that follows "Preparing...", they will gain the task of selecting their own entries to make in their Common Place Book.
Blessings,
Carrie
I just wanted to pop in and mention that we have in mind the traditional CM definition of a "Common Place Book". But, to begin with "Preparing..." we are going to "help" children get an idea of things that are enduring and worthy of being copied in the book by assigning entries for them to make in their books throughout the year. Then, in the guide that follows "Preparing...", they will gain the task of selecting their own entries to make in their Common Place Book.
Blessings,
Carrie