We're reviewing Sue Patrick's Workbox System for theTOS Crew. The Crew members have a board where we can get to know each other and help each other out. We were discussing ideas for fun things to put in our older children's workboxes. These are some of my own ideas prompted by the discussion.
All About Homophones worksheets are fun.
WriteShop has story starter cards that are fun.
Throw in a poetry book and then have them try to create their own limerick or haiku.
Toss in a very silly subject (elephants in my socks) and have them write something about that.
Sudoku for logical thinking
Crossword puzzles and word searches.
Any of the 5 minute mystery books or problem solving books that are fun.
End the day with a joint board game with younger siblings, or you.
Create a newspaper article or encyclopedia entry.
Lapbook to do by themselves
"Spin the globe" Have them spin the globe and point. Then look that country up, read about it, and write a short article.
My friend has an encyclopedia game. Each child grabs one encyclopedia. The Mom opens hers randomly and calls out that page number. Every child opens theirs to the same page. Then they each read one entry on that page.
Trivial Pursuit cards to play a trivia game alone. BrainQuest cards would do, too.
Scrabble could be played alone, drawing more tiles each time you make a new word ... trying to get a higher score than last time you played solitaire.
Flashcards for states and capitals
Geography card games or board games
Music sheets to practice an instrument.
Write a Shel Silverstein style poem.
Pen pal letters.
Musical memory things like Lyrical Science.
Your Story Hour, Jonathon Park, or some other educational story time
Book on tape
End the day with a fun movie that fits the time-period in history you're studying
Have them create their own trivia cards on a subject you're studying
If you want them to write a card for someone else, then have them create the card, as well
Collage art (magazines, glue stick, scissors, paper)
Have them make a collage poster that expresses who they are, what they like or dislike.
Music appreciation ... put a short book on a composer and a CD of his music in their box.
Art appreciation ... a book about an artist with good examples of their art in the book. (Check your library for these in the kids reference section).
Look for how-to books or reference books on subjects you think your kids would like and toss one in -- especially wacky subjects like the cool book on ghost towns our library has.
Craft kits or favorite hobbies.
Recipe to bake something.
Instructions for art or craft projects, along with the supplies.
A science movie like Amazing Creatures That Defy Evolution.
An exercise video.
Instructions for a PE game.
Instructions to go play basketball or walk or ride bike for 30 minutes.
Nature journals.
A new art media you want them to try (watercolor paints, pastels, charcoal, etc.)
We're new to workboxes, but I do know that it helps to have a list of ideas ready to choose from. Make a list of supplemental materials you own and rarely use, or subjects you want to cover but often forget. When you're having a dry spell and find yourself tossing in the same things repeatedly, look at your list for inspiration. Keep adding to the list, and borrow from others' lists, as well.
Welcome to ElCloud Homeschool blog. My name is April, and I'm married to my best friend, Steve. We have 7 active, creative children ages 14, 12, 10, 8, 5, 3, and 1. This blog is where I share about our Christian faith, our family life, our homeschool, and my reviews of curriculum and books. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 is our goal for our family and our homeschool.
Oct. 7, 2009 - I am so glad you are posting these ideas!