lapbooks saved the day.

I’ve homeschooled for eleven years.

In those eleven years there’s been this ebb and flow, this learning curve of discovery trying to determine what works for our family. You see, that’s the beauty of homeschooling — this embracing of the learning that fits your family and your children.  So often we try to fit a mold, an idea, of what homeschooling should be, or could be, or looks like. Yet, it’s not about a mold, it’s rather about freedom, and discovery and learning to do life.

So today, I am going to share with you something that has worked well for our family. Right now, in this season. That thing? Lapbooks. I’ve heard about them before (and honestly for a while didn’t really get them), but never have really dove into the realm of lapbook driven learning. Geography Matters blessed our family with the lapbook kits made by the awesome lapbook company  A Journey Through Learning that correspond to the Trail Guide to Learning Series that our family is reviewing (We’re reviewing the Paths of Settlement series.) These lapbooks and mapping are two of the  favorite parts of Grace’s day.

Why?

Lapbooks are hands-on, visual ways to reinforce learning. They create this beautiful written record — a journal — of knowledge for the child to share and enjoy. Our lapbooks for the Trail Guide to Learning are gorgeous, high-quality printed, and interesting. They provide all you need — file folders, directions — and you supply the enthusiasm, the creativity, the love of learning.

These lapbooks are worth every penny.

The pictures that you’ve seen are some pics of the lapbook that Gracie and I worked on for the Paths of Settlement text (part of the Trail Guide Series) Unit 1 — we’re working through Unit 2 (yes, we are, and I’m okay that that’s the spot we’re at — we’ve had an eventful fall) right now, and every day she browses the text eagerly looking for the lapbook activity. The series makes it easy to do the lapbook — they tell you where it’s located, when you can do that activity versus the worksheet — easy for me, the busy homeschooling mom.

Off to go do some more mapping, and reading, and enjoying today. Take a moment to peek at Geography Matter’s Trail Guide to Learning Series and those awesome lapbooks from A Journey Through Learning that supplement their already amazing and awesome curriculum. 🙂

Would you please take a moment and pop over and like the Trail Guide to Learning’s facebook page? Click Here. Thanks! And to read more of my thoughts on our year using Geography Matter’s fabulous Trail Guide to Learning simply click the button below or on my sidebar.

One last thing. Today I wrote a post for 5 Minutes for Faith called When Christmas doesn’t Match the Picture. It’s a heartfelt letter of encouragement to those struggling with life during the Christmas season. Here’s the  intro:

I am writing this today for those of you whose Christmas season isn’t looking so festive. You’re struggling perhaps. Or your finances are a mess. Or a loved one is sick. Or a child is rebelling. Or, or, or, you know. Life isn’t always that perfect picture . And Christmas time? Well, sometimes Christmas time hurts and looks nothing like we think it should look.

if you’d like to read more {and I hope you do} simply click here