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So I'm introducing a new concept to the kids today. Here's the idea: I wanted something that would include and use all those resources on the shelves, in my email and on the computer that I've saved but never seem to "fit" into our schedule. I also wanted something to draw on when we have a "gap" in our time/schedule that I could use the time to do something "constructive" but not have to pre-plan or schedule for. Here's what I did: So the idea came to be to create a "Planned Spontinaity Box" - the planned part is resources and ideas I already have access to, the spontinaity part is we will draw from the box when we have a spot in time to do something.
So the first thing I did was to find a box - WAY harder than I anticipated but I finally tracked down several "models" and let the kids choose the one the spoke to them - you could have the kids decorate their own box as well, which in fact my kids ended up doing. You could have one box for the family or I'm choosing to have one box for each kid just because of the age range of my 2. The idea is to make the box "their own".
The next thing to do was to fill the box. I used index cards and I went through my book shelves, my email inbox and my files on my computer. I came up with a pretty good list of things that I wanted to put into the box. Some of the things I wrote on my 13 year old cards were: Write a submission for the Scribbler (a homeschooling magazine); Pick 3 wacky words from a dictionary and use them in a wacky paragraph; listen to an audio file from Mom's Audio File Classics; complete a Study Starter (a pdf file I have); Write the answer to these questions: What are you good at? What do I need to work harder at?; Pick a National Geographic Magazine - read it and tell me 3 new things you learned .... you get the idea. I tended to include more writing assignment as I found this has been a weak area in our schedule and tends to get left out. For the younger one (5) I included things like this: practice writing the letter A,a; read one of Bob Books to Mom; Fill in the blank game "_ at"; Explore an Atlas with Mom; Art day!; Bake with Mom; Board Game; Color sight words; Learn subtraction The next thing I did was write one of these things on each index card - I also included the letter B-I-N-G or O on each card as well. You guessed it. As each kid completes their index card they get to mark their BINGO card. When they get a line they will get a reward or a prize (yet to be determined), some of my thoughts for my older one is a Math Immunity day and for my little one I'm thinking of filling up a treasure box with dollar store gadgets that he could choose from (something like what our dentist does). I printed bingo cards from the internet using these two free resources: http://www.dltk-cards.com/bingo/ http://print-bingo.com/print-bingo-cards.php#num After they complete a Line we will work towards an "L", an "X" and finally fill the card for a "grand prize". Oh and lastly as they choose one card and complete it they can fill in a new card with an activity of their choice and add it to the box. Yes some of the items are "schooly" but there are enough "fun" items in there to keep up their interest, plus by them adding their own stuff that should keep their interest up. So I introduced it to them and both were excited with the idea. I kept the idea as open and as flexible as possible so we'll see how it goes but I'm already liking the fact that today Josh did "Vocabuary" something we rarely do and Noah did an Atlas activity but he kept trying to get a Math activity - too funny. I also thought it would be easy to incorporate it into our Tea Time days and sure enough it was good timing on my part. That's it for today. I have a husband whose back is out so I am off to tend to him - that and get supper on the table.
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Posted by Jacqueline
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