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I haven't officially yet, as I decided not to start it so late in our school year.  I do however have full intentions of starting in August!

For those that have no idea what I'm talking about, Sue Patrick has a book about using a system that has built-in motivation and can help you get more done in your homeschool than you thought possible.  While I don't agree with 100% of everything Sue discusses in the book, I must say that I'm reallllly liking this idea!  I have several friends who have started it and they rave over it!

I think it will especially help motivate my younger daughter, who I suspect is ADD.  By adding in fun projects and breaking up the humdrum stuff, I think I'll she motivated to move more quickly through her work.    And for my oldest, she will no longer have to wait on me while I'm working with my younger, she can move on to the next box.   And it will hold me accountable to better planning their school day, by getting their boxes ready each night! 

I have already purchased what I will be using for the system.  I purchased two sets of Sterlite craft drawers (7 totally portable drawers in each.)   I already have my number system laminated.  And I've got lots of ideas to use!  Can't wait.

OK, on to what I'm really writing about.........


Kari (Momma Snail), a writer at The Curriculum Choice, is writing an article about Sue Patrick's Workbox System.   She's looking for input from those who have implemented (or adapted) the System.

She would like to include your blog link, links to photos of your system, a listing of what you use in your boxes, how you've adapted Sue's ideas, and links to any resources you may have created to go along with the concept.

If you don't blog, but still use the system (or an adapted version), you can still help by e-mail her and just telling her about your experiences.  You'll get credit for the info.

[url=http://docs.google.com/View?id=dwstdgn_447mphsmf8] An initial, rough draft showing how she will link things is here[/url]. 

If you are interested, please e-mail her at   thesnailstrail at gmail dot com.

So, if you're already using the System, could you help her out?  She needs your reviews by June 1.

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As I struggle to determine ways to improve our learning environment and how to best help dd8 with her ADD, I've decided to, for the rest of this year, to chuck the workbooks. 


We've signed up for a website called Time4Learning. 





We've only been using it a week.  Overall, dd8 is enjoying it very much.  I've had to sit with her and help her much of the time, as there have been several topics that's she's either never done before or done and not remembered how.   Plus she tends to skim/skip over instructions.

It has parental controls like the length of time for each lesson.  It also has reports, so I can see how long she took on lessons and what she got on quizzes and tests. 

It has a "playground" area....if she is done with her lesson (.i.e, the amount of time I set for the lessons), she can go play.....but only for the amount of time that I set for play time.   There are a multitude of games to choose from, some educational, some just fun.  

As with all software, we have had some quirks to work out.  But the folks in the Parents Forum have been very quick to respond and help. 

One of the items that the developers boast about is that the lessons are varied.  They certainly are........a great mix of reading, listening, playing a game to learn the concept, etc.  This keeps the students alert and helps them from becoming bored with repetitive screens.   However, I do wish they would at least make the way to exit the lesson uniform.   We're constantly trying to figure out how to exit the lesson "properly" so that it will be marked off as completed.

I really like how the program doesn't make some rude noise when the answer the child selects/inputs is wrong.  Instead, a window usually pops up stating that the answers incorrect (the number's too high, etc.) and gives the student another chance.  (Of course, it doesn't do that on tests and quizzes.)

The T4L program is specifically for Math and Language Arts, but most grades have lots of lessons for science and social studies as well.  This is a great plus.  We can break up the LA and Math lessons with shorter lessons  in science and social studies.

Overall, it's going well and I feel it's worth the subscription price.  I don't know that I will continue it for next school year, but for now it's a welcome break as I determine the best route for her. 

I've looked into Sue Patrick's Workbox System.  I'll admit, if not for determining that dd8 has ADD, I would not have even thought about jumping on the workbox bandwagon like so many homeschoolers are doing right now.  However, the whole idea of the system makes me think this will work for dd8!     And, I can see where my dd10 may also benefit from the system.  (Like this morning, when she finished her workbooks and I was still helping dd8!  She could have independently moved on.)

Anyway, I hope to start implementing a version of the workbox system after I return from the Midwest Homeschool Convention.  Can't wait to go!

I'll also start implementing some of the ideas in Dianne Craft's Brain Integration Therapy Manual and looking into appropriate and effective nutritional supplements and diet changes.

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Well, in the past several months and in the last couple in particular, I have come to realize that dd8 has Attention Deficit Disorder, ADD.  No hyperactivity, she's just highly distractable, forgetful, disorganized, doesn't retain math facts  or grammar/spelling rules, etc.

No, that's not an official diagnosis, it's just a mom's diagnosis.  I really don't care to take her to the doctor to receive an "official" diagnosis, I want to know how I can help her.

I've read and read about ADD.....on the Internet and in books.   Some helpful folks have been Dianne Craft, Melinda Boring, Carol Barnier, Dr. Bob, and many more.  What I've read has really changed how I look at ADD.

In the past, I just thought....if ONLY she'd just try harder, or concentrate more, just buckle down and get 'er done.  Now, I'm understanding that it's truly a brain connection thing but diet, mental and physical exercises, and retraining can help.

Well, I'm up to the challenge......I hope.     God is my  strength and I may crawl before it's through, but we'll get there together. 

You know, when God leads you to homeschooling, it really isn't necessarily all about teaching the student.  I think God is teaching the parents just as much along the way.....if not teaching them even more. 

I've come a long way in patience since first starting to homeschool, but still have a long way to go.  This ADD thing is challenging me more.  And not only in the patience department, but it re-thinking how I can set up a learning environment that is helpful to her.  I'll talk more about some of the changes I'll be making another time. 

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Tonight was our church's annual Back to School Prayer Service.  Does your church do one?  If not, you should suggest it!  What a great way to begin the school year!

Our church comes together in praise and prayer and music and worship for all the children going back to school (public, homeschooled, college) and all the educators (preschool through college and including homeschooling parents) and all the adminstrators, workers, staff, etc. of any educational institution.

Prior to service or early in the service, everyone writes on a postcard the name of a child they wish to be prayed for.  At a designated time during the service, everyone comes forward and places those cards in a basket and they are prayed over.  Several times between songs, we pray.

What an uplifting time!  As a I said before....what a great way to start the new year!

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Just a reminder to everyone to get outside tonight to watch the Perseids. They have been sporadic for a couple weeks and will be sporadic for a couple more, but TONIGHT!  Tonight is the height of the shower! 

The best time will right before dawn tomorrow morning, so set your alarms!  Another good time will be around 9 p.m. tonight, when the slower (but less frequent) "earthgrazers" will skip through our atmosphere.  Setting your alarm for a couple hours before dawn and getting away from lights is your best bet and will offer the most reward when you can see dozens, maybe even hundreds, of meteors.  Look to the NE skies, near the Perseus constellation.






There is a free unit about a meteor at HSS, Call Me Ahnighito.  It's a favorite here and I'll be getting it out today!  



Visit NASA for more information.

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Did you know that you could order 4H project books on-line or pick them up at your county extension agent, even if your child is not a 4H member?

They have lots of neat project books!  And they have much more than books on farm animals, too!    Your student can study bugs, rockets (Aerospace), pets, robots, vet science, computers, cooking, science, sewing, fishing, photography, woodworking,  and much more!   Books range in costs from $4 to $15.

Here's the link to the Curriculum listing at the 4H Mall.  Check it out!

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We can't find the camera card with the first pictures we took, but here are a few pictures!

Supreme Court (that's us way up at the top of the steps, on the left, by the pillars!)


Our congressman was busy at the time we were to meet him, so he asked his aide to bring us over to the capitol to meet with him between votes.

In between votes he gave us a private tour!  This was soooo nice because the next day, when we went on our "real" tour of the capitol building it was jammed packed!!!


Taken from inside the capitol, looking out the window.


If we ever find the other card, I'll post the Washington and Lincoln pictures!

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We had a great time in Washington, DC!   But it sure was HOT!  It was like 105 (but it felt hotter!).  On dd10's big day of touring the senate and house buildings and meeting with our senators and congressman, the sole of her shoe came off!  I guess the heat of the pavement caused the glue to melt.  Later in the day, the other one did the same thing.  At least she wasn't walking lopsided anymore.  LOL.

In addition to the senate and house building tours, we also got to tour the capitol building and ride the subway that the congressmen use to get from their building to the capitol building.

We didn't get to sightsee nearly as much as we wanted, but we did get to see the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Supreme Court, and the Smithsonian's Museum of Natural History. 

We feel so blessed at the wonderful things the Save Our Wild Salmon set up for the art winners.  It was a special time for dd10.

And (LOL) we made sure each of our senators and congressman knew that she was homeschooled....she mentioned it when talking to each and she shared her salmon lapbook that we had created.   (Click on this link to be taken to Homeschool Share, where you can print off and do your own salmon lapbook!)


And for those interested in purchasing one of the calendars that dd10's picture is in, you now can!   Just go to the Save Our Wild Salmon website and go to the donation section.  For a minimum of a $10 donation, you can choose to receive the 16 month calendar.  (You can select the calendar after you make the payment.)  Her artwork is featured on this  December's page. 

Oh, and here's a picture of the winners who were able to go to DC, along with their families and their pictures.