We do use texts in our homeschool. Which is one reason why I thought the workboxes would be great to add in more fun and more hands on learning. Here is a list of what we I have put/will be putting in the boys boxes this week. It is our first week of using the boxes and the items listed below are not necessarily in that order (it was just easier for me to list them with numbers).
Monday:
1) Lang. Arts
2) Math (with mom)
3) Science (with mom)
4) Spelling
5) History Reading
6) Free Reading
7) Computer Time
8) Connect 4
9) Joke book in Xavier's box & Backyard Ballistics in Micah's box
10) Bible & Prayer Journal
11) Geography Fact Cards
Tuesday:
1) Lang Arts
2) Math (w/mom)
3) Science Reading
4) Free Reading
5) Othello
6) Computer Lesson: Webpage Authoring #2
7) Geography worksheet
8) Bible & Journal
9) Spelling
10) Computer Time
11) Brownie Mix
Wednesday:
1) Writing (w/mom)
2) Math (w/mom)
3) Science (w/mom)
4) Computer Time
5) Free Reading
6) Bible & Journal
7) Spelling
8) Unit Study (History)
9) Game
10) ?? (still deciding)
11) Art
Thursday:
1) Writing (w/mom)
2) Math Review/Game
3) Spelling
4) Science Reading
5) Computer Time
6) Bible & Journal
7) Unit Study (History)
8) Free Reading
9) Game
10) Play Outside w/Isaac
11) Family Work
Friday: (normally we have co-op on Friday, but this week we have off for Good Friday)
1) Writing (w/mom)
2) Play Hullabaloo w/Isaac
3) Math Review
4) Computer Time
5) Spelling Test
6) Game
7) Unit Study (History)
8) Make Peanut Butter Cookies
9) Bible & Journal
10) Nature Study & Walk
Workboxes
Ok, so the shoe rack idea flopped. I went to the store to buy them but they didn't have any. Meanwhile my dear hubby is asking if there is some way we can be more economical about this. Personally I think he believes this is another one of my attempts of organization that will quickly be tossed aside. So... being economical I found some things I have around the house: boxes and folders (of course now I have to find a new home for the science stuff that was in the boxes). Using the template from the Sue Patrick's Workbox System and schedule cards from Walking by the Way, I now have Xavier & Micah's boxes!
Xavier's Box
Micah's Box
Micah and Xavier have been great about moving through their folders. We even started school an hour earlier than usual today (it is only our 2nd day using the workbox system).
Science Reading - more than I need to know about bugs!!
Working on changing fractions to percents
Xavier's Box
Micah's Box
Micah and Xavier have been great about moving through their folders. We even started school an hour earlier than usual today (it is only our 2nd day using the workbox system).
Science Reading - more than I need to know about bugs!!
Working on changing fractions to percents
Could It Be
an answer to prayer? Recently I came across a blog talking about workboxes. I was so intrigued with the system that I had to know more. After visiting other blogs who have started using workboxes and praying about it. I bought Sue Patrick's book and now I can not wait to set up our boxes. I have been printing off the scheduling strips and number strips along with the extra cards. Today I get to go buy my boxes ;)
One of the things that impresses me with the workbox system is the ability to put in those things you want to do in your home school but never get around to. I hope that by starting the worboxes I will take be able to let go of the "school at home" rut we have gotten into lately. The only problem I have though is I can think of a bunch of things I want to do or the boys want to learn but I don't think we still have enough time to do it all ;-)
** The Workbox System is a physical system which allows your child(ren) to move through their work in order. It is visual system that your kids can see: they see what they have to do, they see how much is left to do and they see the fun things coming up in a box ahead.
Sue Patrick is pretty set on using a shoe rack that will hold your shoeboxes (about 12) as the workboxes. At first I was going to try to "scale down" the workboxes because of room, but after reading the book I am going to stick with her shoerack & shoe boxes idea.
Each box is numbered and the child has a schedule strip on their desk telling them what to do (in order). You can have box 1-12 in a row or you can put in extra cards like lunch, group time, break, etc. The child moves in a sequential manner matching the # on their schedule strip to the matching workbox. They continue down the strip completing each activity/workbox. Once the strip is empty they are done for the day.
One of the things that impresses me with the workbox system is the ability to put in those things you want to do in your home school but never get around to. I hope that by starting the worboxes I will take be able to let go of the "school at home" rut we have gotten into lately. The only problem I have though is I can think of a bunch of things I want to do or the boys want to learn but I don't think we still have enough time to do it all ;-)
** The Workbox System is a physical system which allows your child(ren) to move through their work in order. It is visual system that your kids can see: they see what they have to do, they see how much is left to do and they see the fun things coming up in a box ahead.
Sue Patrick is pretty set on using a shoe rack that will hold your shoeboxes (about 12) as the workboxes. At first I was going to try to "scale down" the workboxes because of room, but after reading the book I am going to stick with her shoerack & shoe boxes idea.
Each box is numbered and the child has a schedule strip on their desk telling them what to do (in order). You can have box 1-12 in a row or you can put in extra cards like lunch, group time, break, etc. The child moves in a sequential manner matching the # on their schedule strip to the matching workbox. They continue down the strip completing each activity/workbox. Once the strip is empty they are done for the day.
Science Experiments
We started using Apologia General Science last week. We are not using it in the traditional way but are working on it together to help Micah and Xavier get use to the format. Which means we are probably going a little slower than normal :-) I also found a really neat Lapbook Journal to use over at Knowledgebox Central. So far the boys are enjoying the "class like" setting for science.
Experiment Time
Writing their observations, summary
Experiment Time
Writing their observations, summary
Saturday's Photos
Saturday we hung out around the house and I was able to snap a few photos of the boys in the backyard.
Bang, Bang, Shoot
Me & My Daddy
Having Fun
Gee Mom, Do you have to take my picture?
Me & My Mommy
My Boys
Me & My Daddy
Having Fun
Gee Mom, Do you have to take my picture?
Me & My Mommy
My Boys
Explorer's Unit Study Day 2
Tuesday's Photo-Op
Every good sailor/explorer must learn to tie knots
Who wants to be a "Limey"?
Making Old Fashioned Limeade
Every good sailor/explorer must learn to tie knots
Who wants to be a "Limey"?
Making Old Fashioned Limeade
Explorer's Unit Study Day 1
We started our Explorer's study this week. This is our first "real" unit study and so far the boys have had a blast! We are using History Through The Ages New World Explorer's by Home School in the Woods. If the rest of the unit goes as well as the first 2 days I will definitely be buying the "Colonial" unit next!
Here are a few photo's from Monday
Working on a lapbook entry
Using Spices of the Orient to bake a carrot cake
Here are a few photo's from Monday
Working on a lapbook entry
Using Spices of the Orient to bake a carrot cake
Geography Studies
We decided to continue the boys Geography Studies from the One Room Schoolhouse. The boys have a blast looking up and presenting the information on the state they have picked. This week we are trying something a little new and they are making a power-point presentation. They "present" their state on Monday evening that way Joel can be here. I don't think I am going to have them do a power-point every week but alternate it with an actual report, poster, or some kind of model. I haven't quite worked out all the kinks but it should bring more life to Geography :)
The Past 2 Months...
We are finally settling into our new home. Okay well I am to tired to settle in anymore so the upstairs closet and a corner in my dining room still need attended to. I may get to it eventually but for now I just don't look in those directions ;)
We picked out our new couch almost 2 weeks ago and it was delivered on Valentine's Day - the perfect Anniversary present!! We are still waiting for Micah and Xavier's bedroom sets to get here. Hopefully we will get them next weekend as the headboard for Micah's bed was scheduled to be in the warehouse Feb. 20th and it was the main thing we had to wait on. The boys are definitely excited about having new dressers, a nightstand and a bed for Micah. We are slowly getting new furniture, but we have been truly blessed!! Everything is paid for and we are sticking to not owing anyone anything.
Not a lot has been happening around here. Our days are pretty typical: wake up, eat breakfast, do chores, school, play outside/go to park, eat dinner, hang out, Bible reading, watch TV, go to bed.
Isaac talks more and more each day. We got him an imitation plasma car from Wally-World. He loves it, and spends his mornings riding in a circle around the house going to "work" like Dada. Of course he has 2 jobs: 1 he works on helicopters and 2 he is a police man. If he isn't riding his car, he is yelling at someone to put "choo choo" on TV. Mistake #1 buying Thomas Train video. If Isaac had his way it would be on 24/7 (even when he is not in the room).
I will try to get some pics of the house and boys soon. Love to you all!
We picked out our new couch almost 2 weeks ago and it was delivered on Valentine's Day - the perfect Anniversary present!! We are still waiting for Micah and Xavier's bedroom sets to get here. Hopefully we will get them next weekend as the headboard for Micah's bed was scheduled to be in the warehouse Feb. 20th and it was the main thing we had to wait on. The boys are definitely excited about having new dressers, a nightstand and a bed for Micah. We are slowly getting new furniture, but we have been truly blessed!! Everything is paid for and we are sticking to not owing anyone anything.
Not a lot has been happening around here. Our days are pretty typical: wake up, eat breakfast, do chores, school, play outside/go to park, eat dinner, hang out, Bible reading, watch TV, go to bed.
Isaac talks more and more each day. We got him an imitation plasma car from Wally-World. He loves it, and spends his mornings riding in a circle around the house going to "work" like Dada. Of course he has 2 jobs: 1 he works on helicopters and 2 he is a police man. If he isn't riding his car, he is yelling at someone to put "choo choo" on TV. Mistake #1 buying Thomas Train video. If Isaac had his way it would be on 24/7 (even when he is not in the room).
I will try to get some pics of the house and boys soon. Love to you all!
Isaac Photo Op
When I took my camera out to take a few pictures Isaac decided he would be my muse. Here he is in all his glory. (P.S. that is my new couch - YAY)!!
Meet ??
As far as the vet is concerned his name is Oreo. However, he is normally referred to as CAT. As in "Gordo, leave the CAT alone" or "Isaac, put the CAT down". Regardless of his name (or lack of it) he is pretty cool.
Change Is In The Air
Okay so I decided to change the look of the blog again... Well it would all be okay if my pics were not cut 1/2 way off. Only problem is I can either leave them that way or re-enter all the html codes. So for now they are being left alone. (That is just way to much re-entering). I may slowly start to fix them, but for now if you are looking at past pics you are going to have to click on it to see the whole thing.
On another note I know I haven't posted since October. I will try to start posting regularly again (at least pics) so you can see the boys. My next post I will start playing "catch up" over the past month and a half :o)
On another note I know I haven't posted since October. I will try to start posting regularly again (at least pics) so you can see the boys. My next post I will start playing "catch up" over the past month and a half :o)
Tot School
This is our first Tot School post. You can find out more about Tot School at 1+1+1=1. I am still figuring out things to do with my dear Isaac. He wants to "do" school with his brothers so bad, but then he thinks he should be the teacher more than the student :-)
We spent a lot of time outdoors the first part of the week. It is so nice now that the weather has cooled off a bit. I tried to get Isaac to catch the balls but he preferred to throw them. We also jumped on the trampoline and played "Ring Around the Rosie's" a gazillion times. This week Isaac decided it was a lot of fun to spin in circles. Which is not the best thing to do on concrete so we had to put on his helmet. He does not have to be convinced to wear it as he thinks he should put it on first thing in the morning. His big accomplishments this week: trying to pedal the tricycle (he can only pedal it 1/2 way) and learning to say and sign the letter A.
He stopped spinning so I could take a picture of his toy.
We spent a lot of time outdoors the first part of the week. It is so nice now that the weather has cooled off a bit. I tried to get Isaac to catch the balls but he preferred to throw them. We also jumped on the trampoline and played "Ring Around the Rosie's" a gazillion times. This week Isaac decided it was a lot of fun to spin in circles. Which is not the best thing to do on concrete so we had to put on his helmet. He does not have to be convinced to wear it as he thinks he should put it on first thing in the morning. His big accomplishments this week: trying to pedal the tricycle (he can only pedal it 1/2 way) and learning to say and sign the letter A.
He stopped spinning so I could take a picture of his toy.
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