Journals in Homeschool

This is rather an interesting topic.  My first question was "What's the difference between a journal and a notebook ?" Over the years I've heard both terms used interchangeably and wondered if they were the same thing or not.

notebook [ˈnəʊtˌbʊk] n

1. a book for recording notes or memoranda 
2. (Economics, Accounting & Finance / Banking & Finance) a book for registering promissory notes
3. a book of or for notes, esp. a book or binder of blank, often ruled pages for recording notes
4. a small, lightweight laptop computer.

jour·nal (jûrnl) n.

1. Personal. A personal record of occurrences, experiences, and reflections kept on a regular basis;
   a diary.
   b. An official record of daily proceedings, as of a legislative body.
   c. Nautical A ship's log. 
2. Accounting
   a. A day book.
   b. A book of original entry in a double-entry system, listing all transactions and indicating the accounts to which they belong. 
3. A newspaper. 
4. A periodical presenting articles on a particular subject: a medical journal. 
5. Engineering / Mechanical Engineering
   The part of a machine shaft or axle supported by a bearing. 
6. Government, Politics & Diplomacy
   an official record of the proceedings of a legislative body 
7. a periodical or magazine, esp. one published for a group, learned society, or profession.

After having a good look at the definitions I discovered that it depends of the use of the book as to the correct term used.  You would keep a personal journal in a lined notebook or you could use a lined notebook to keep an official journal. It really does become a play on words.

Homeschool Notebooking
Within the home education community however notebooking refers to a school folder in which a student records what they have learned.  There are some amazingly creative home educators who create some rather impressive notebook pages for a variety of educational topics.  You don't need a fancy page however you can simply used lined paper and write out your thoughts.

Notebook Page Resources

• The Notebooking Fairy by Jimmie. On this site you will find FREE printables, How tos, Tips, tutorials and more.  It's a gold mine
• There are Fifty Things to Put in a Notebookbook
• For younger students here is a splendid idea from Our AUSSIE Homeschool called My Calendar Notebook
• Notebook Pages
• Notebooking for Mom
• Notebooking for Homeschool
• Notebooking Nook

Homeschool Journal
Journaling with in the homeschool community often refers to a more intimate and decorated book.  Although some homeschoolers will journal along a notebooking style. More often than not however they would use journaling in Nature Study.

For the last couple of years I have been journaling here about my week in the Homeschool Mother's Journal. This is a great link up to meet like minded homeschoolers and a relaxed way to keep a diary journal of what you've been up to. I have always intended on starting a Nature journal/notebook and recently Sir N and I started one as spring is upon us.

Journal inspiration

• Nature Journal Resource List
  
  
• Frugal Homeschooling | Daily Journals 6 ways to journal at home
• Journals
• Couples Appreciation Journal
• Journals - some great ideas to inspire your creative juices.
• Homeschool Journal Prompts and printable journal pages
• Printable Journal Pages over at Donna Young
• How To Homeschool With Journals Some great advice to get you started

If you are after an inspirational book on Journaling I highly recommend books from the author Gwen Diehn.  In particular try to get her book The Decorated Journal {Creating Beautifully Expressive Journal Pages}. This book is full of inspiration.  She shares a multitude of ways to do a journal and how to personalise a journal as well as the educational benefits of different types of journals.



Do you use journaling or notebooking and what are your favourite resources ?

Blessings
Chareen
This post is part of the Homeschool Help series brought to you by a group of homeschool Mom's from around the globe.  Do not forget to visit and read their inspirational insight.

This week

• Bernadette   To Journal or Not to Journal?
• Julie  Journals - Inspiring Children to Write
• Savannah shares Homeschool Mom’s Journal…My Other Brain
• Lucinda  Art Journaling for Boys and Girls 
• Nicole  Road Trip Journaling!

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