The Biblical Classical Approach to Notebooking

Notebooking is pretty popular among several homeschooling circles. If one researches it, they’ll learn of all sorts of ways that notebooking is implemented. In general, notebooking is often used to file worksheets or decorated notebook pages for note-taking.  However, that’s not the case with the Biblical Classical form of education. Discover how Biblical Classical notebooking is different.

The Many Joys of Biblical Classical Approach Notebooks

In our family, these are collections of treasures. From their earlier years, there are darling notebook pages of their illustrations and notes from lessons. And, as they each move upward we see more of their personal Word Studies with their conclusions put into practice. For sure, it’s a joy to see their Biblical reasoning flourish. Plus, we learn some things from our own children as they search for Biblical principles on their own.

Now, it may seem like a lot to some individuals. But, know that you can teach what you want to teach. As much as I’d like them to, our notebooks don’t follow this structure 100%. And, please note that not all of the subjects are crammed into one 3″-ring binder. Why, that would be quite the tall order. Rather, subjects are organized in groups in different notebooks in a logical way.

Also, know that the greatest thing about it all is that each year your children will be compiling a record of God’s Hand in everything. To be sure, they are creating a personal record. And, they’ll creating a record of instances of His Providence in the lives of men and nations. Plus, they’re documenting His purpose. In fact, His ultimate purpose is the Gospel—Its work in and through individuals, nations, and subjects.

The Notebooking Method History

To begin with, the idea of notebooking is historical in America. In fact, our Founding Era reveals notebooks by George Washington and many contemporaries of his. For example, you’ll see in his 1747: School Copy Book, Volume 1, 1745 that he copies the definition of the subject Geometry. Likewise, as explained later in this article, students do Word Studies (to master the vocabulary of their subject).

Point in fact is that these notebooks show the individual, reflective Biblical reasoning of each individual. If you research these for yourself, you will observe that there aren’t any work sheets. And, there aren’t any fill-in-the-blank or word searches in them either. In other words, there aren’t any sheets of “busy work” or “time wasters.” Definitely, there isn’t anything remotely Common Core or generic about them. Rather, there is independent thinking from research and Biblical reasoning. Furthermore, there is mastery of the subject at hand.

Purposeful Notebooking with the Biblical Classical Approach

Basically, notebooks aren’t just a place to ‘file’ papers. In light of Founding Era notebooks, notebooks file reflective reasoning and learning. But, being in our modern day context we have tabs and use other tools such as the ones in the list below:

• Classroom Constitution or Homeschool Constitution
• Research from primary sources
• Word studies to search for Biblical principles of each subject
• Asking and answering questions for Biblical reasoning
• Emphatic conclusions
• Graphic organizers to help process information
• Illustrations
• Essays
• Providential History Timelines (how God moved the Gospel westward)
• Map Work
• Documenting God’s Providential Hand in each subject

Biblical Classical Approach Notebooks are Divided Under Subject Tabs

Undoubtedly, most notebooks have the same kinds of tabs. But, in some of the tabbed sections we have sub tabs to break down the subjects further.

Biblical Classical Approach Art Tabs Contain

Of course, not all art projects will fit into a 3-ring binder. Therefore, only the paper canvases cut down to size for sheet protectors are inserted in it. But, the Biblical Classical approach to art is much more than simply painting or drawing. Tabs for art are:

• Overviews stating the Biblical purpose for studying this subject and the outline for the school year
• Statement of the principles students will study
• Studies of individual artists who helped advance the Gospel
• Word Studies with individual student’s emphatic conclusions
• Techniques
• a Providential History Timeline which includes artists

Subdivisions

• Drama
• Music
• Photography

Biblical Classical Approach Bible Tabs Contain

Instead of filing notebook pages under Bible, students have a tab for Bible and Bible as a Reader.

Specifically, students may learn and file Bible notebook pages in this way:

• Overviews stating the Biblical purpose for studying this subject and the outline for the school year
• Statement of the principles students will study
• Foundations
• Immediacy of Jesus Christ
• Map Work
• Old Testament History
• New Testament History
• Literature and Wisdom of the Bible
• A Providential History Timeline for adding individuals who are and events which are key to advancing the Gospel westward

Besides that, using the Bible as “textbook” or as a “reader” teaches students how to use graphic organizers to process Scripture. Additionally, graphic organizers are a strategy for studying the Bible. These are filed behind the appropriate tabs in the notebooks.

Biblical Classical Approach English Tabs Contain

As far as English goes, it is subdivided in these categories:

• Overviews stating the Biblical purpose for studying this subject and the outline for the school year
• Statement of the principles students will study
• Foundations
• Orthography (spelling)
• Etymology (parts of words and building vocabulary)
• Syntax (basic sentence patterns)
• Prosody (memorizing poetry and studying literature)
• Composition (writing)
• A Providential History timeline and God’s Providence for the English Language and the Bible (or whatever native tongue is spoken)

Biblical Classical Approach History Tabs Contain

• Overviews stating the Biblical purpose for studying this subject and the outline for the school year
• Statement of the principles students will study
• Foundations of His-Story
• By period of history
• Word Studies and emphatic conclusions
• Outlines
• Graphic Organizers
• A Providential History timeline for adding Key Individuals
• All things How to Study History

Biblical Classical Approach Geography Tabs Contain

• Overviews stating the Biblical purpose for studying this subject and the outline for the school year
• Statement of the principles students will study
• Foundations of Geography
• The Biblical context of the earth and its geography
• By period of history (coinciding with History lessons)
• All things Why Map Work is Important

Biblical Classical Approach Field Studies Contain

In Biblical Classical learning we enjoy field trips. However, we also do something more in-depth than field trips which are field studies. In this situation, students learn the background of the setting they’ll be visiting. In addition, they learn of the history behind it and individuals who are/were key pertaining to the location. Furthermore, they look to see God’s Providence involved.  To be sure, the trips are for enjoyment but, they are also for experiencing.

• background of the setting
• individuals who God is using or has used for spreading the Gospel and Liberty
• Questions to ask interpreters
• Information the student would like to share in conversation

Biblical Classical Approach Literature Tabs Contain

Generally speaking, literature students learn and file literature in these ways:

• Overviews stating the Biblical purpose for studying this subject and the outline for the school year
• Statement of the principles students will study
• Foundations
• Literature of the Bible
• Individuality of nations as students read stories in various settings
• Poets and Poetry
• Select classics/living books
• Select biographies
• A Providential History timeline for adding authors and authoresses
• Essays/Book Reports
• Classic Literature studies with the Biblical Classical Approach

Biblical Classical Approach Mathematics Tabs Contain

Since there are a plethora of math curricula out there, there is a section for students to file their math work. Indeed, there are tabs for:

• Overviews stating the Biblical purpose for studying this subject and the outline for the school year
• Statement of the principles students will study
• Word Studies and emphatic conclusions about the Bible principles of math
• Key Individual studies of mathematicians
• A Providential History timeline for adding mathematicians and advancements
• Essays (should students write essays on math or mathematicians who are key)

Biblical Classical Approach Physical Education Tabs Contain

Admittedly, the Biblical Classical Approach to Physical Education is somewhat different than other philosophies and method (as is to be expected):

• Overviews stating the Biblical purpose for studying this subject and the outline for the school year
• Statement of the principles students will study
• Internal Objectives with word studies and emphatic conclusions about the Bible principles of this subject
• External Objectives with word studies and emphatic conclusions about the Bible principles of this subject

Biblical Classical Approach Science Tabs Contain

Of course, the topics of science will vary among homeschool families. Consequently, tabs and sub tabs will vary. Let’s hear it for God’s Principle of Individuality!

• Overviews stating the Biblical purpose for studying this subject and the outline for the school year
• Statement of the principles students will study
• Individuals per field of science being studied who are key
• A Providential History timeline for adding scientists and advancements
• Essays (should students write essays on scientific advancements or individual scientists who are key )
• Notes from the science curriculum being used

In Conclusion

Eventually, notebooking with the Biblical Classical Approach scholarship produces the leaders America needs. To be clear, leaders are individuals who practice Christian self-government regardless of their station in life.

Also, considering that each homeschool is unique there may be other topics students include in their notebooks. For example, one may include a tab for Civics. But, all of the categories will pretty much be the same within the study of Civics.