Shiver Academy - Workboxes

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Sep. 18, 2009

Workboxes

I have finally decided that we are going to do the workboxes that are discussed in Sue Patrick's book on Workboxes. You can check out more information here: Workbox Systems Basically what you do is to set up a set of boxes with the day's tasks in them. Then as the child works through the boxes they know that when they go through and get to the last box, they are done. Now Sue says that the "shoebox" style and rack is the ONLY way to go. She is very adament that the child must see that they are getting somewhere with their work and that her plan is the only way to work it. LOL, I have never been one to always follow when someone says--YOU HAVE TO DO IT MY WAY OR NO WAY. I have to prove them wrong. Or at least try my hardest to look like an idget bad enough for them to say TOLD YA!

Actually I just won't have the room for 4 sets of the shoeboxes and racks. So I have had to come up with an alternative. And these are what I have chosen. They are fun, full of color and about 1/2 the size of the racks. Plus they have wheels and I can move them whenever I want, where ever I want!!

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And the best part, they are on sale right now through amazon!! They normally sell for $69.95, but they are on sale for $41.97! That's a savings of almost $30! EACH! Here is a link to them if anyone is interested:

Rolling 10-Drawer Carts

I am not sure for how long but as of 12:00 am on the 18th of September, they are listed at that price.

My plan is to use them just like the workboxes, but I will have the numbers velcroed on and the girls will remove them when they are finished with each task. So they will still get the visual "i'm getting this done--WHoo HOO" feeling!

Anyways, I don't have them yet as they are set to be delivered next Friday. And we won't be putting them up until we get moved in--which hopefully will be around then--ok shortly after that anyways. So it will be a while yet before I can "report back" on how well it's working. But I can say that the last couple of weeks we have been working on getting the girls more and more independent. And I must say that except for the fact that my 10 year old seems to think I'm piling more and more work on her, she IS getting better at it. And my 12 year old is just loving having the control. (well we did get her a net book for school work with a DVD reader. And she thinks she's hot stuff now! But it helps so much to have her on her own!!)

So I'm off to dream land,

T8ermomma

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Comments

Sep. 22, 2009 - Love this idea!

Posted by TraceySkeen

I agree - those shoeboxes are ugly and take up way too much room - plus most things are too large to fit in the shoeboxes. Your cart is beautiful! I want to learn more. Why does Sue say 12 boxes?
Thanks!

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Sep. 23, 2009 - Basically this

Posted by T8ermomma

Basically the boxes are for each subject so that you can space things out through out their day. SO if you have a lot of math scheduled, like a workbook page and flash cards or Smath (a math game), you can put each in separate drawers and they won't get hit in the face with a ton of math all at once. You change up the boxes each day so that there is variety and you can even add in things that you never seem to get to, such as typing or even "home ec" things like baking. I've even seen some lists that show a gal was planning on putting in Nail polish for one of her girls as a fun "break" item.

The thing about the boxes is that once your child does all of the things in the boxes, they know they are done for the day. They can take as long or as little time as they want to as it's all on them.

The other thing that I like is some of the rules to the boxes. One is that they can only ask for help if they truly need it. So they get 3 "ask for help" cards and they really have to decide if they truly need help or if they can work out a solution.

I highly recommend getting her ebook. It's not just about getting organized, it's truly getting the kids to work on their own and freeing up time for mom to help the other kids. Which is what I desperately need now with all 4 kiddos doing school.

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Oct. 11, 2009 - May I have permission?

Posted by bripam111

I just love your virtues project and was wondering could I recommend it on my blog and post a link to your site? I can't wait to start this with my kids! Thank you!

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Oct. 11, 2009 - Of Course!

Posted by T8ermomma

Yes, Please pass the link on! I made it to be used by anyone who would like to use it, so if you have people you would like to pass it on to, please do so.

I don't mind you downloading it for friends to be put on a cd either, just as long as no money changes hands.

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It's just a little of this and a little of that. Basically our way of sharing what we're doing. We have been doing MFW (My Father's World)! We'll be bringing in a little of Charlotte Mason and Ruth Beechick. And a WHOLE LOT OF US! Shiver is our School Mascot. He is an Emperor Penguin that keeps school from getting too serious. He is also where we get the name of our Home School=Shiver Academy. T8ermomma is me! I'm a mom of 4 kids ages from 3-12! I'm also a Navy Wife of many years who has traveled the world following DH as he serves our Beloved Country-the Great US Of A! We are an LDS Family doing our best to stay true to our beliefs, keep our family strong, and perhaps even learn more than just ABC's and 123's.

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