We’re back with new episodes for the eleventh season of the Tips for Homeschool Science Show. In this season, we are talking about writing and science. I’ve gotten a lot of questions lately about lapbooks, notebooks, and what to expect, so I thought it was time to dedicate an entire season to the third key to teaching science—writing it down.

You can listen to the full season here:

Or you can watch the full season here: 

Writing and Science in your Homeschool

If you don't want to binge listen, check out all six episodes from this season below.

Episode 124 - What is notebooking?

In this episode, we're chatting about notebooking!

Key Takeaways

1. Notebooking is the best method of writing for science! 

Episode's Topics

• 00:00 – Intro 
• 01:05 – What Season 11 is going to look like 
• 01:46 – Why notebooking is the best method for writing in science 
• 03:24 – The Two Components of Notebooking 
• 03:50 – The material component of notebooking
• 05:16 – The visual component of notebooking
• 06:41 – Wrapping it up 

Listen to episode 124 here.

Episode 125 - What are lapbooks?

In this episode, we are chatting about lapbooks!

Key Takeaway

• Lapbooks are educational scrapbooks that fit into the lap of a student.

Episode's Topics

• 00:00 – Intro 
• 00:36 – A review of notebooks 
• 01:36 – What are lapbooks
• 03:32 – The Mini-book
• 05:04 – 3 Ways to use lapbooks 
• 06:58 – Wrapping it up 

Ep 126 - Which one is better in your homeschool - a lapbook or a notebook?

In this episode, we'll discuss how to choose between lapbooks and notebooks in your homeschool.

Key Takeaway

• Lapbooks are great for younger kids and shorter units.
• Notebooks are great for older kids and longer units.
• In the end, choose what will work for you and your student.

Episode's Topics

• 00:00 – Intro 
• 00:32 – Lapbook or Notebook 
• 01:33 – What is a Lapbook
• 02:04 – What is a Notebook
• 03:17 – 4 Questions to Ask
• 05:18 – Wrapping it Up 

Listen to episode 126 here.

Ep 127 - Writing in Science with a Well-Trained Mind

In this episode, Susan Wise Bauer and Susanna Jarret are joining Paige to share tips and tools about the third key to teaching science!

Key Takeaway

• Use your narrations in science for writing.
• One thing - just worry about your students remembering one thing to write down.

Episode's Topics

• 00:00 – Intro 
• 00:35 – Welcome our guests 
• 01:11 – Should we write everything down for science?
• 04:20 – What are your top three tips for writing and science?
• 08:44 – How do we handle the blank stares?
• 11:58 – How do our expectations of writing in science change over the years?
• 14:30 –  What I wish all homeschoolers knew about writing and science (Susan's answer)
• 15:38 – What I wish all homeschoolers knew about writing and science (Susanna's answer)
• 19:24 –The Well-Trained Mind Press
• 20:31 – Wrapping it up 

Listen to episode 127 here.

Ep 128 - How should you handle notebooking through the different ages?

In this episode, we are chatting about notebooking with different age groups!

Key Takeaway

• Notebooking is a wonderful tool we can use to document what our students have learned in a way that is meaningful to them.

Episode's Topics

• 00:00 – Intro 
• 00:28 – Notebooking with different age groups
• 00:57 – Preschool Notebooking
• 01:52 – Elementary Notebooking 
• 03:54 – Middle School Notebooking
• 04:59 – High School Notebooking
• 05:55 – Wrapping it up 

Listen to episode 128 here.

Ep 129 - All About Spelling Those Science Words

In this episode, we'll be interviewing Robin Williams from All About Spelling. In our conversation, we discussed tips and tricks for spelling all those science words!

Key Takeaway

• Spelling words correctly is important for science.
• Games are a fantastic way to learn how to spell science words!

Episode's Topics

• 00:00 – Intro 
• 02:01 – How to handle spelling science words
• 02:45 – Best tip for spelling and science
• 03:58 – Tips for writing and science
• 05:53 – About All About Spelling
• 09:51 – Wrapping it up

Listen to episode 129 here.