Mar. 23, 2009 - Not everyone is using Workboxes - other ways to organise our days....
Not everyone is using Workboxes!
Check out the above link for other ways to organise your home school day. It doesn't matter how you do it, it's just important that you do have a plan to get their home schooling done....
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Mar. 23, 2009 - My personal thoughts about The Workbox System & how it is working for our family
I'm so enjoying this workbox system idea I shared earlier.
(It's planning about 10 to 12 things and putting them into boxes or in our case, ziplock bags and just doing the children do them each day.)
It's been 3 or 4 days and the girls have done so much more *to show* than before - even in these past 3 or 4 days.
I'm getting so much more of the fun extras done - I'm amazed AND I'm not dragging or pushing the girls... I'm totally thrilled.
I know when I read the Workbox system - I almost immediately knew it would work for us. It's a funny thing - why would putting the items in a box, or a bag or an envelope, make a difference?
The key is, I'm planning more each day. Not a ton - I have the basics done, but when I fill their bags, I know tomorrow - we are doing a card class, or logic, or sketching, and I'm prepared enough to get it done.
I guess it doesn't matter why it is working - just the fact that it is working, is pleasing me.
I do think it is important to find something that works for us and Home Schooling our children, though.... We need to have success as Home School moms.
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Mar. 23, 2009 - This Workbox System was voted the prettiest!
Well, at least on the Five in A Row website. Smile
Prettiest Workbox System
Smile - check this out for another sample of how to make it work in your home.
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Mar. 23, 2009 - Workboxing - the best system ever!
Or, at least, that is what Color Me Orange says on her blog. Check out her link for a great variation on the Workboxing System.
Workboxing - The Best System Ever!
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Mar. 23, 2009 - Check out the Workbox System for Home Schooling!
Here is a link to the original thread on the Five in a Row site:
Workbox System thread on FIAR
Here is the first post (there ended up being over 300 - so much interest and many ideas shared):
I am excited to share something with y'all as it has truly revolutionized our school day! I've been interested in this system for awhile, but just never got around to implementing it. I needed the book - and to hear more about it (I invited Sue to do a workshop for our local FIAR group) - and then was ready to run with it!
A friend of mine, Sue Patrick, designed this brilliant system for organizing her children's schoolwork. It helps you to organize the work for each child into 12 shoeboxes. The child knows what is expected of them each day and can work more independently. No more wondering when their day is done or what is coming next - they can see it.
For me, it has helped me to be much more organized. (I don't think of myself as disorganized either.) It has also helped me to really think through our day and plan ahead. The results are that we are doing MUCH more in our day - and much more of the fun stuff that usually gets left out - music, art, games, etc. We are getting through our work faster too. I'm just really thrilled with this system!!!
I've been sharing it with friends and a lot of us are finding this it be a great system with a lot of benefits for children young and old. 
Please go to her website to read more about it. If you decide to give it a try - I highly recommend purchasing the book!!! It really has a lot of great information in it. 
I've posted a couple of pics on my blog if you want to see our system. Hope this is helpful to somebody
It's just a way of organising our Hsing for our children, so the basics AND the extras get done. There is a lot of interest on the website and many are saying it is making a different for them and their children.
I know since we started it last week, I think we are doing 30 to 40% more a day than we did before AND we are getting the fun extras done, too. smile Why don't you check it out?
Workbox System
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Mar. 6, 2009 - I enjoyed these blogs today - perhaps you would, too!
Ok - this blog made me smile. She says SNOW is One of the Reasons We Home School. Smile We got 6 inches of snow yesterday. I never thought of that being a reason we home school, but I do like being able to stay home in a snowstorm.
Last Saturday, I got to watch a play where I think half the kids participating were home schoolers. It even had a few home school jokes in it - which got my attention, as it was not a home school audience, but the play was written by a home schooling dad. smile
Anyway, we were invited to a friends house to celebrate her child's accomplishment in the play and during the conversation we had, a dear home school friend came up in conversation somehow (her children did so well in the play!). Anyway, my public school friend said the schools here are really missing her family of x children.... She said each child is worth $11,000 in funding to the schools. Wow. I just smiled to myself and thought what a great home schooling mom she is....
AND it was an interesting conversation surrounded by public schoolers. They were surprisingly supportive of home schooling because they know our family. I wonder sometimes because I sure am not perfect, but we do our best for our children..... That's the most any of us can do.
I always enjoy reading these type of blogs. Smile None of us are typical families and none of us are typical home schoolers. We are each unique and do things in the way that is best for our families. I love that!
Square Root Day - loved this idea. We have had a very fun home schooling week already and it is only Wednesday today. There are so many ways to enjoy learning and to make learning fun. Even making a *square root cake* is a memory and a learning hook for math. SMILE
This is an ongoing discussion on an elist I am on and a topic that comes up on many boards and forums. It is getting tougher to save money, but I believe God gave us a creative mind and that He will help us save money when we need to. *Don't forget to pray and ask Him to bless your efforts and to bring sales across your path! I also pray for wisdom when I go shopping. I need His help to not buy just what looks good, but to buy what we need.
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Feb. 18, 2009 - Dollar Store Craft Site - cool!
Saw the link on this HS Blogger website - it is so cool. Check it out. Lots to make and do.
Dollar Store Crafts
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Feb. 18, 2009 - Home School Mom, have you had a break lately?
My dear husband and 2nd oldest daughter are away on a mission trip to Mexico for 10 days. Jewel had her 10th birthday last Friday. Auntie J and daughter came down to help me. I just appreciate family so much - they are such a support to me / to us over the year.
Anyway, they took Redhead and Jewel back home with them for a visit. I stayed home because I needed a break badly - it's been a busy year, already.
WOW - what a lovely break. I don't know the last time I had a day alone with no responsibilities, much less 4 days. It has been quite lovely.
I've watched movies I wanted to watch, ate what I wanted (special treats for me, you know?), did some cleaning and organising. I actually spent a good portion of three days tidying, organising, decluttering our Home School room. I can't believe how much time it took - and I n ever would have fit that in to my regular life!
I even got to do some Home School planning for the next four months.
It was wonderful.
I would highly recommend a break now and then. I would never do it for a long time - I love my kids and husband, but it was a surprise to see how much I needed to relax and just do nothing.... I don't do that very often at all.....
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Feb. 17, 2009 - Home School Tip of the Day - Remember to Have Fun!
This was a topic on an elist recently. It got my attention. I guess that is because through the years I have seen Home Schoolers be so serious. I knew one lady who brought school home - her son hated what they were doing, but she couldn't break out of the mold because of fear.
I also connect with what a mom of many said - perhaps it would be harder for a mom of many to plan fun extras, because just getting the have to's done would be enough....
AND I have never spent much time making sure everyone HAD fun. I just plan fun extras and it is up to them to enjoy it or not. What a burden it would be to try to please every child.... (I can remember doing some fun art extras and one child crying at the end of the table - because she always compares herself to older sisters and is never happy with her work - I figure that is a character issue and it makes me want to do more to help her learn to have fun and relax.... smile)
Oh, and it might be easier to have fun with younger students, but older students can do more and that is fun, too.
It certainly is up to each of you how you Home School your children, but I know I have found through the years, that the fun extras are the memories and the activities we scrapbook in our HS scrapbook. The day I get focused on just worksheets and have to's - Home Schooling gets hard for me. And when it gets hard, it takes away a lot of my joy.
Fun doesn't have to happen every day either, once or twice a month or even weekly is enough. Just something to break the monotony and to help them learn a little about what they love.
Anyway, if this doesn't resonate with you, just delete. smile I appreciate Jamin because she works at having fun and learning. I wish I had done such a unit with the American Girl books a few years ago. What fun. smile
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Feb. 17, 2009 - Best Recipe in January - Baked Potato Soup
The best soup I have made lately..... would be my show and tell for this week.
Smile
We had baked potatos one night before Christmas - quick baked potatos, by the way.
Wash potatos. Cut in half lengthwise. Toss with a bit of oil (perhaps 1 or 2 Tbsps - less works). Lay flat on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 for about 20 - 25 minutes.
Anyway, I made too many and I knew I would throw them away if I didn't use them up. My sister has a great baked potato soup recipe and I based this soup on it, but added ham.
So you make a white sauce - butter, flour and milk. While it thickens, dice the baked potatos. Add to the thickened sauce. (Oh, and to cut the calories - while making the white sauce, start with milk - then add water for about half the recipe. Works well)
I added some chicken bouillion - not much, perhaps about 3/ 4 of a teaspoon for about 10 to 12 cups of liquid?
I then diced up about 1 cup of ham (I buy the 2kg. ham, cut it in chunks and freeze for future use) and had the girls grate some marble cheese (to sprinkle on individual bowls).
Wow - it doesn't sound like much, but it was sooooo good.
What about you? What would be your show and tell recipe for today?
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Feb. 17, 2009 - My Bests of a Week in early January
Best moment this week?
I have a tie:
I have done a lot of cleaning and decluttering this week - in the afternoons.
Yesterday, I looked around and I can see it starting to pay off. The piles are less and I think I can make a list of what I still have to do. That was my first best moment (I don't know about you, but sometimes finding homes for items can just about put me under....I am decluttering and have a huge pile in the front hall to take to the Goodwill in warmer days....)
Then we started HSing on Tuesday because Redhead couldn't wait any longer. Each day, it gets better. Yesterday was really good and it just made my day.
Best book this week?
That would be the Black History Hero Tales. I'm reading it to the girls yesterday and I can't make it through some paragaphs without crying. AND the first two people were repeats from books we had already read AND the girls knew their stories when quizzed. smile. The story I read yesterday was on obedience and obeying what God wants you to do. Slavery disgusts me - I thought it was neat that the one movie MayFlower took with her, was Amazing Grace. She said it was a life changer for her. Anyone watch it?
Best meal?
That would be Beef Stoganoff, Mashed Potatos and cooked carrots. I had enough left over to make a casserole. Beef Stroganoff and Mashed Potatos is such a good comfort meal. (Beef Stoganoff - crumbled hamburger and onion fried w/ 2 tins mushroom soup, 1 tin + water, and about 3 or 4 tsp. beef bouillion (to taste). Simmer and serve over noodles or potatos).
Dear Husband asked for fried rice, so I'm going to make it for dinner on Sat. Anyone else make it from scratch? I just have about 10 to 12 cups of cooked rice. I put diced onions, celery in the bottom of a big cakepan with about 1/3 to a 1/2 cup butter. Put in oven. Cook till onions and celery are done. Add rice. Cook for 3/4 hour more (or even 1 1/2 hours - just watch the heat and turn down as necessary). Dice cooked chicken (w/ garlic) or leftover roast. Scramble eggs (about 10+ for this amount). Add meat about 10 minutes before serving. Take out of oven and add hot eggs. Serve w/ soy sauce. Oh, and add butter as necessary. My family loves this as a lunch meal.
Best verse?
Well, I will use an old favorite that our children each learned when they were little. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right." Eph. 6:1
(I am reading through the Bible this year - I have been consistant since last Sept. but am in Genesis right now. Just read about Esau and his descendents today. Jacob's descendents are the Israelites. Esau's descendents are the Edomites who never got along with the Israelites. It matters what we teach our children about spiritual things.)
Best quote?
Here are 3 quotes I found this morning - how lovely they are. smile
To read a poem in January is as lovely as to go for a walk in June.
- Jean-Paul Sartre
The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes…. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective.
- G. K. Chesterton
In bringing up children, spend on them half as much money and twice as much time.
- Author unknown
Best buy?
My best buy was nothing. I stayed home all week. We are kinda short of groceries and I will buy them today, but other than that, I haven't spent anything. Yay, me. I can't say that often.
Oh, and my best buy in the States was some bras (or unmentionables, as one daughter would say - smile). 2 for 1 sale and they were half the price they would have been in Canada already. My neices bought 8 and 12 each - I bought 4. smile I've never had so much support in my life. SMILE
Best _______________?
It's just been a lovely week. Lots of work and extras. I got my scrapbook area cleaned up. Multiple piles put away. HSed. Even got online some. I'm trying to limit that some and that is even going well.
What about you? How was your week?
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Feb. 17, 2009 - Marriage Tip of the Day - Watch FIREPROOF!
Wow, just bought Fireproof on the weekend and watched it with my dear husband. WOW.
I just don't think I could say enough good things about it.
It is on the New Release Wall in VHQ / Movie Gallery. (Of course, I saw it after I bought it, but I have been waiting to buy it since last Nov.....) I think it is so cool that there are multi copies
available to rent.....
I just heard it is in Walmart, too (as well as the Love Dare book). Makes it easy for people to find and buy!
IF you have ever had trouble making your marriage work as a couple (and I would venture to say, everyone has been there and done that), wow, it was good to watch.
I could see bits of us in it and it sure made you realise how important it is to make a marriage work... I pray it helps a lot of couples. Buy it, share it, recommend it to your friends - you
just don't know who is out there struggling with their marriage.....
I'm trying to figure out if I should buy another copy and lend it out... smile I'm keeping the original.
A friend at church shared this morning that her 17 year old watched it with a friend last night and came home with RED eyes (from crying) and said it was sooooo good. She also wants her mom to buy her The Love Dare book (that goes along with the movie....) Not sure what that is all about, but her mom and dad's marriage ended in divorce - it does affect the kids.
It is from a Christian viewpoint - I am just so impressed. The major catastrophe's had us sitting on the edge of our seats, wondering what would happen....
Oh, and it was cool to see a troubled marriage from a guy's point of view -
It isn't an easy watch - I think I cried for most of the movie, but it sure showed the lack of respect outsiders have for marriage vows, the issue p_rn_graphy can be in a marriage, how hurt couples can be, and how hard it is to make it work after years of neglect. It also showed how rewarding it is to make your marriage work, and how ONE partner not giving up can make the difference....
Have you seen it yet?
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Feb. 17, 2009 - Teens and Life
How is everyone doing with their teens and life?
I'll start. I'm not sure if I have shared with anyone yet, but I've been reeling a bit with Pink Princess's plans. smile
She came back from Thailand and we were talking in January - she is thinking of working to make some more money (finishing off grade 12 by June) and then going overseas again by the late summer or by Sept. wow.
I can't really say more than that until she shares more.... But it was a surprise to me that she would go sooooo soon after graduating. MayFlower worked another 6 months and went in Jan., so she wouldn't miss Christmas with us that year. Princess is just ready to go. (A friend said that is because she is so well prepared.... smile)
It is a bit sobering to see life changing before your eyes.
Next Sept., I will have only Redhead and Jewel to HS. Changes, changes.... the only thing constant in life is change.
I'd recommend making the most of every day you have with your children NO MATTER what age they are!
How is life with teenagers in your neck of the woods?
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Jan. 21, 2009 - My favorite posts from 2008
Well, I got some inspiration from Hilltop Academy today. She posted her first blog of each month for 2008 - I think I will post my favorite blog from each month instead. I hope you enjoy the trip through my blog.
January - It's Good to be in a New Year
February - A Reminder for the Home School Mom Today, Thoughts on Being Real, Motivating Home Schooled Teenagers to Learn
March - Home Schooling through Renovations, Home School Tip - Logbook Binder, Do What You Can, Home School Graduate Success Story
April - Keep Decluttering, Ladies!
May - Australia Day, Make Your Marriage Work
June - June Home School Support Group Meeting
July - Coffee Cake International
August - Have a Home School Plan
September - September Home School Support Meeting - Excellent!
November - It's Been a Long Year...
December - Favorite Ways to Countdown to Christmas, December Home School Support Meeting
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Jan. 19, 2009 - School Vs. Education
School vs. education. Hmmm. This was a recent topic on a forum I am on..... The below is what I wrote.
School (to me) makes me think of desks, classes, bells, chalk boards, textbooks, workbooks, lectures, 9 to 3, standing in line, have to's, age segregated, and more.
Education is so much more. Education is what I'm leaning toward and hsing our children for...
Education is:
Reading.
Sewing.
Hiking.
Learning as a family.
Learning w/ littles (or in spite of littles. smile)
Learning happening at a couch, on the floor, in the back yard, or on a bed.
Learning about something we are interested in WHEN we are interested in it.
Delight directed.
Learning from real books.
Worksheet free.
Discussions.
24/7.
No line ups.
Freedom.
Age integrated (all ages together)
AND more.
Smile
How would you like to learn?
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