Integrating art and poetry is about making connections more than perfection. When a child sketches a steam engine or copies a stanza about the Industrial Revolution, they aren't just doing schoolwork, but actively processing history through their own hands and mind. If history and science are the "bones" of our studies, art and poetry are the "heart."

The Notebooking Method is a simple yet powerful approach to learning that replaces worksheets with more active participation. Instead of filling in blanks, students create a personal record of what they have learned through narration, writing, drawing, mapping, and careful observation.

Since I am teaching both my older girls and younger boys, I’ve tried to teach the boys to ask, “Whats’s next, Mommy?” after they finish a project. I need to help them learn not to run off the minute I go help the girls. I’d say they remember 50% of the time. The other 50% they run off and make a mess somewhere in the house, and I have to go find them and show them what’s next.

Spiritually, I’m a lot like my little boys. As I’ve been teaching them to say, “What’s next, Mommy?” throughout the day, He’s been teaching me to ask, “What’s next, Father?” too.

You would never know from these photos that we were not deep in a winter wonderland…unless, I showed you the second photo of the speed limit sign. In reality we were right by the main canyon road and just off of another road that goes up to the normal sledding spots further into the mountains. With a slight shift of perspective, my camera only saw the snowy wonderland and not the road a few steps behind us. One view was an ugly, muddy mess, and the other view was beautiful and magical.