Miscellaneous
Q: I like the concept but how do I get started with Learn ‘N Folders?
A: First of all, pick a subject that your child will really enjoy. For example, if he/she has a favorite animal, use “Study-An-Animal” to do a great project. In this way you can become familiar with how Learn ‘N Folders are written and what you need to do to create one while studying something that your child is interested in. All of the directions are included to show you how to cut out each book, how to fold the foundation to glue everything in, where to glue the books into place, and either where to find the answer or an answer key.
Q: How do you determine the age levels for your folders?
A: We’ve included age levels only because we’ve been asked to! Homeschooling is so personalized and that is how these folders are designed to be used. Generally, we determine age levels based on how much work is involved. A basic amount of information is labeled for a younger child. When more research is involved or perhaps more advanced skills, we make the age level higher. The “Birds” unit is a good example. The younger level is two folders in length. The middle level is three folders. The oldest level is four folders long. Of course, the latter has more projects and entails the most research. There are times, however, that you only need your child to know the basic information…the younger folder will do the trick. On the other hand, if you have an older child that you require more from, add a research topic or a few more detailed projects to the existing folder.
Q: What else do I need to complete a Learn ‘N Folder besides your product?
A: To complete your folder, you will need something to make the foundation out of. We suggest file folders, but you can also use cardstock, pocket folders or posterboard. You will need good scissors and adhesives. Adhesives that we often use are glue sticks (we prefer Avery permanent), tape runners, photo mount squares, and spray adhesive. Your normal white school glue does not do a good job with these books. There are occasions when you may also need a brass paper fastener (sometimes called a brad), library pocket/envelope, and clear tape.
Q: What supplies could make the job easier?
A: It is helpful if you have a plastic zipper storage bag or a manila envelope to keep your completed mini-books in as you work. Then, when you’ve finished them all, you can glue everything into place.
Scrapbooking supplies can be very helpful with these projects. They allow the student to individualize the work…and make it a little more fun. Scissors that cut with different designs, stickers, gel pens, and fun papers all add to the folder.
Pictures of the student working on the folder, completing science experiments or any other related project that can’t reasonably be included any other way would also add much to the Learn ‘N Folder. If your child builds a gigantic cathedral out of blocks, a picture of it would make a great addition to the Renaissance Learn ‘N Folder.
Q: How involved should I be with my child while he/she is working on the Learn ‘N Folder?
A: This would totally depend on your child’s abilities and interests. For example, my boys do not enjoy cutting and folding to create the actual folder. But the really enjoy the research and completion of the folder. I do not want to burn them out by making them do the part that is such a chore to them, when it is the actual project that I want them to enjoy doing. For that reason, I do all of the cutting and folding for them and then hand it off to them to finish. Is your child a younger student? Then don’t burn hi out by making him write everything. You can do the work together and you actually fill in the books. Some folks have even printed the answers onto mailing labels so that the child can then stick the answer into the correct space. If you have worked diligently on the project and you can tell that interest is waning, finish the undone projects yourself so that you have a complete unit for review purposes. If a project just doesn’t work for you, leave it out!
Q: How long does it take to complete a folder? How do I decide what is done each day?
A: These questions are not easy to answer because it depends on how you are using the folder, the interest and ability of your child, and what else your child is working on. You may decide to have your child work on two or three books a day until you are finished. You may give an older child two weeks, for example, to finish the project. Working on these is similar to working on a general unit study. You don’t want to require so much work to be done at one time that the child is overwhelmed. You also don’t want to drag it out so long that the child is bored and gets tired of it. The amount of work done on the folder each day depends on many variables. The general idea, however, is to decide what time-frame you are dealing with to complete the study, and divide the projects (mini-books) up over this period of time. Be flexible as you go so that the unit is enjoyable for everyone involved.
Q: Do I have to do all of the mini-books or projects?
A: Of course not! That is a homeschooler’s right! Pick and choose the projects that are relevant to your family and your studies. If a mini-book is inappropriate for your student for any reason, do not include it. Check out the list of extra activities and see if there is something there that would work better for you. Complete that project and put something in the Learn ‘N Folder to show the work that you did.
Q: What subjects do you cover in a Learn ‘N Folder?
A: We cover every part of learning that we possibly can. There are always writing and research activities. If possible, we give math problems, science experiments, and art projects. In many cases, we add in poetry and copywork as well. We try to make our units well-rounded and still keep them interesting for the students.
A: First of all, pick a subject that your child will really enjoy. For example, if he/she has a favorite animal, use “Study-An-Animal” to do a great project. In this way you can become familiar with how Learn ‘N Folders are written and what you need to do to create one while studying something that your child is interested in. All of the directions are included to show you how to cut out each book, how to fold the foundation to glue everything in, where to glue the books into place, and either where to find the answer or an answer key.
Q: How do you determine the age levels for your folders?
A: We’ve included age levels only because we’ve been asked to! Homeschooling is so personalized and that is how these folders are designed to be used. Generally, we determine age levels based on how much work is involved. A basic amount of information is labeled for a younger child. When more research is involved or perhaps more advanced skills, we make the age level higher. The “Birds” unit is a good example. The younger level is two folders in length. The middle level is three folders. The oldest level is four folders long. Of course, the latter has more projects and entails the most research. There are times, however, that you only need your child to know the basic information…the younger folder will do the trick. On the other hand, if you have an older child that you require more from, add a research topic or a few more detailed projects to the existing folder.
Q: What else do I need to complete a Learn ‘N Folder besides your product?
A: To complete your folder, you will need something to make the foundation out of. We suggest file folders, but you can also use cardstock, pocket folders or posterboard. You will need good scissors and adhesives. Adhesives that we often use are glue sticks (we prefer Avery permanent), tape runners, photo mount squares, and spray adhesive. Your normal white school glue does not do a good job with these books. There are occasions when you may also need a brass paper fastener (sometimes called a brad), library pocket/envelope, and clear tape.
Q: What supplies could make the job easier?
A: It is helpful if you have a plastic zipper storage bag or a manila envelope to keep your completed mini-books in as you work. Then, when you’ve finished them all, you can glue everything into place.
Scrapbooking supplies can be very helpful with these projects. They allow the student to individualize the work…and make it a little more fun. Scissors that cut with different designs, stickers, gel pens, and fun papers all add to the folder.
Pictures of the student working on the folder, completing science experiments or any other related project that can’t reasonably be included any other way would also add much to the Learn ‘N Folder. If your child builds a gigantic cathedral out of blocks, a picture of it would make a great addition to the Renaissance Learn ‘N Folder.
Q: How involved should I be with my child while he/she is working on the Learn ‘N Folder?
A: This would totally depend on your child’s abilities and interests. For example, my boys do not enjoy cutting and folding to create the actual folder. But the really enjoy the research and completion of the folder. I do not want to burn them out by making them do the part that is such a chore to them, when it is the actual project that I want them to enjoy doing. For that reason, I do all of the cutting and folding for them and then hand it off to them to finish. Is your child a younger student? Then don’t burn hi out by making him write everything. You can do the work together and you actually fill in the books. Some folks have even printed the answers onto mailing labels so that the child can then stick the answer into the correct space. If you have worked diligently on the project and you can tell that interest is waning, finish the undone projects yourself so that you have a complete unit for review purposes. If a project just doesn’t work for you, leave it out!
Q: How long does it take to complete a folder? How do I decide what is done each day?
A: These questions are not easy to answer because it depends on how you are using the folder, the interest and ability of your child, and what else your child is working on. You may decide to have your child work on two or three books a day until you are finished. You may give an older child two weeks, for example, to finish the project. Working on these is similar to working on a general unit study. You don’t want to require so much work to be done at one time that the child is overwhelmed. You also don’t want to drag it out so long that the child is bored and gets tired of it. The amount of work done on the folder each day depends on many variables. The general idea, however, is to decide what time-frame you are dealing with to complete the study, and divide the projects (mini-books) up over this period of time. Be flexible as you go so that the unit is enjoyable for everyone involved.
Q: Do I have to do all of the mini-books or projects?
A: Of course not! That is a homeschooler’s right! Pick and choose the projects that are relevant to your family and your studies. If a mini-book is inappropriate for your student for any reason, do not include it. Check out the list of extra activities and see if there is something there that would work better for you. Complete that project and put something in the Learn ‘N Folder to show the work that you did.
Q: What subjects do you cover in a Learn ‘N Folder?
A: We cover every part of learning that we possibly can. There are always writing and research activities. If possible, we give math problems, science experiments, and art projects. In many cases, we add in poetry and copywork as well. We try to make our units well-rounded and still keep them interesting for the students.