I can’t tell you how many blank books and sketchpads I’ve purchased over the years. It’s the natural outcome when you’ve got a journaler (me) and an artist (Sprite) in the house.
Over the last six months, however, Sprite has also started to love writing. So we’re buying more and more lined journals. Thankfully even our small city has a wide variety of inexpensive styles.
Sprite knows art supplies and books don’t count, and blank books fit right into that same category. How can I resist when she says, “But mom, I need a fresh book to record our Beijing trip?”
The night before our flight, we sat in bed and read over the materials I’d prepared — a history of the Great Wall, facts about the Forbidden City, and the symbolism of Beijing Opera masks. I had no idea she’s want to take notes in her notebook, but that’s what she did. I had to read slowly with lots of pauses in between to give her time to jot down the key ideas. Part of me was frustrated with having to go so slowly, but then I realized what an amazing learning activity this was! My fifth grader is learning note taking skills on her own accord and for something she would really use in just a few days! This was worth the investment of time.
About Chinese Dynasties
She left blank spots with plans for diagrams and filled those in the morning before we departed. As I packed, her dad scoffed, “Can’t we have a vacation without it being an educational project?” I assured him that I wasn’t forcing her to do this; it was all her own idea. He countered that I don’t have to force her because I’ve already brainwashed her to convert everything into a learning opportunity. Okay. I admit it. And I’m proud.
Notes on the Forbidden City
a flag book from our minibook stash
The Great Wall
Beijing Opera
Just to prove this was not a school assignment, check out the spelling errors! I restrained my desire to correct her and instead simply praised her creativity, industry, and organization.
Sprite carried the notebook with her most everywhere we went in Beijing. I saw her referencing it at the Forbidden Palace and making sketches at the acrobat show. Yep. Totally brainwashed.
You’ve done some great bainwashing! My oldest always loved to do little books with his information in it. It’s cute now that I look back on this work.
.-= Martha´s last blog ..Pumpkin Fun =-.
LOL….brainwashing:)
Her journal looks amazing! I believe it will be something she treasures forever!
I LOVED reading this post. What a wonderful job you have done “brainwashing” her! Yep, you should be proud! *Ü*
Ha Ha! This is really great. My husband accuses me of brainwashing our kids too.
Very impressive! I wish my kids were a little more brainwashed. 😉
.-= Kris @ Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers´s last blog ..Weekly Wrap-Up: Cullen Cut and Around the World Day =-.
That’s awesome! I’m going to keep working on my brainwashing project.
Rhonda
I am impressed! Can’t wait for my kids to be able to do something like that on their own!
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..History : Patricians and Plebeians =-.
If I send you a ticket, can you come brainwash my kids too? PLEASE?!
.-= Marsha´s last blog ..In a strait between here and there =-.
Jimmie, you and Sprite always create the most beautiful journals and lapbooks.
What a wonderful notebook. Sprite did a GREAT job! I wish my kids were brainwashed. I’ll have to work on that more. 🙂
.-= Tracy´s last blog ..TOS Review Virginia Soaps and Scents =-.
Two thumbs up! I love brainwashing… he he, at least the kids’ brains get clean 😉 Joking aside, you’ve done a marvelous job, Sprite. Kudos to the mom.
.-= Maria´s last blog ..H20 Connection =-.
Glad I’m not the only one whose husband complains (teases) about every trip becoming a field trip for educational purposes! LOL! I love the ‘brainwashing’ comment!
We just did London for the embassy and passports but we managed a whole morning at the National Gallery searching out our favourite artists works and a trip to Handel’s house to learn about his composing. We did manage lots of fun along the way, but the kids kept asking to be ‘taught’ about the things we were seeing! I guess we are on our way to true ‘brainwashing’ here too! :o)
Sprite’s notebook is FABULOUS!! I absolutely love that she did this project on her own-because she wanted to. Love that!!
.-= Rhonda@LivingWater´s last blog ..Weekly Report: Week 10 =-.
May all of our children be so “brain washed!” 🙂
I do love your dd’s notebook. Hmmm… I might have to work on something like that. Maybe for our next trip? Or… we just got back from NYC and maybe we can make an “arts” notebook for the artwork we saw?
.-= Dana´s last blog ..Stop Motion Animation =-.
She’s well on her way to being a lifelong learner. What else could one expect when her mom sets such a good example?
.-= Melissa Telling´s last blog ..History of Art Co-Op: Ancient Art =-.