Apr. 21, 2009 - Workbox System is it For Me?
I've about the Workbox System off and on for the last several months. On the Five in a Row loop the other day there was a big discussion. So I order the book and it came yesterday. I spent all afternoon reading the book. I went to Wal-Mart after dinner and got at least enough boxes and Velcro to get us started. I'll need a few more boxes and more velcro but I did get enough to start. I printed and laminated the numbers and chart. It took me about 30 minutes to set the boxes up for today but I think that will get faster. Three hours into our day I can say that I love it. I'm using them with my 11 and 7 year olds. The only thing I lack is a shelf which no store in our town had. I might have some shelf in the shed so I'll check before driving to the next town. But even with the boxes just stacked it is still working well.
The #1 bonus for me so far is knowing that everything I needed for the day was planned out and ready to go. No finding the flash cards, no pulling more sight word cards, no looking for a pencil, etc.
#2 my son really, really, really loves it. He loves seeing his stack disappear. He is working faster and with more motivation. There is no listening to his sister get upset when he takes "her" crayons because he has his own box to use with his Bible.
#3 my daughter is still her slow, distracted self but to get her back on task is to say look how many more boxes you have left. Remember you can't play today until your stack is gone. I'm not stressing about getting her moving. I also know that at the end of the day when she tries to get off from completing her work I don't have to be a bad guy. I can simply say sorry you didn't finish you boxes.
#4 if I leave the room people still know what is needed. |
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Feb. 25, 2008 - What Are We Doing?
Well I mentioned in my last blog that we would continue what we had been doing for school for the most part with some tweaking. So I decided that I'd better list out what we were actually doing.
Hayden -
Sonlight Core 300 for Bible, History, and Literature. The adjustments are using the Audio Reader from reading for the Blind and Dyslexic when possible. We are also dropping all of the writing and questions sections.
Sonlight Science 150 which is the Apologia Physical Science. We are using Live and Learn Press Lapbooks for the written portion of the work.
Apples Daily Spelling Drills for Secondary Students
Queen's Language Lessons for Secondary Students - Doing all written assignments using the word processors on the computer.
Teaching Textbook Pre Algebra
TABE Study Guide Level D - Focusing on one subject matter section per day
Typing Tutor
Sight Word CArds
Lynda Computer Classes
Free Reading
Caleb -
Lapbooks - periodically through out the year
Sonlight 3 (and then Core 4 later this year) - Readers, Read-Alouds, History, Bible, Science
Copywork - Rules of Civility from Knowledge Box
Practical Math Book One (then moving to Book 2)
Apple Spelling for Secondary Students
Queen's Language Lessons for Secondary Students
MCP Plaid Word Studies D
PACE Bible
Christian LIfe Readers - 2nd Reader (then 3rd Reader)
Guitar when he wants to
Mailbox Club Bible Study
Working with his dog
Sight Word Cards
Lively Latin
I might add in some Thinking Skills books as I found some on my shelf he might like.
Joshua -
Winter Promise Language Arts 1st grade
Language Lessons for the Very Young (moving to Language Lessons for the Elementary Child)
Copy work - Queen's Manners
Rod and Staff Math Book 4
Various Thinking Skill Books
Cheerful Cursive
Sight Word Cards
Sonlight Grade 2 readers (moving to Grade 3 readers)
Hannah -
Winter Promise Language Arts - Advanced K
Language Lessons for Early Childhood (then LL for they Very Young)
Phonics Museum K (then 1st)
Various Thinking Skills Books
Develop the Early Learner (finishing up the last book and won't be replaced)
Rod and Staff K workbooks (finishing up the last book and won't be replaced)
Singapore Math 1
Classic Curriculum Math 1
Power Math K (almost finished up with this and it won't be replaced.)
Sight Words Cards
My Printing Book (Handwriting without Tears)
Cheerful Cursive (see wants to learn now)
Might add in Sonlight - 1st grade readers later this year
Joshua and Hannah Together -
Sonlight Core C Bible, History, Read-Alouds, Science
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Feb. 21, 2008 - Testing Is Done
Your testing is completed for another year. Things were pretty much as I expected with the exception was a 3 year gain for my Hayden in reading comprehension. Our evaluator feels that using the audio reading program from Reading for the Blind and Dyslexic really made all the difference for him. Here can check them out here. RFBD.org
So after a year of starting, stopping, and tweaking I think for the most part we are now on the right track with the materials we are using with just a few exceptions. With suggestions from our evaluator and from friends I think I've found what I need to work for those areas that need a bit more work. For Hayden he will begin to use Queen's Language Lessons for Secondary Students doing all the writing assignments on the computer using a word processing program and spell check. I am looking into Apples spelling as recommended by a good friend. Its on the way so I'll have to report on that later. I may use this with Caleb as well. Caleb really wanted to learn Latin and vocabulary was an area suggested to work on so we are meeting two needs with one product. He will be starting Lively Latin next week. I also order Queen's Spelling Through Copywork to check out. I might use this with Caleb or I might use it with Joshua. Queen's Language Lessons seems to have worked well for Josh and Hannah and as they are both finishing up their current books I have order the next level for each of them. I don't think I'm making any changes in Joshua current plans with the exception of stopping him after 30 minutes of math and going on to other things and then back to math so he doesn't waste the whole more dragging out his math work. Hannah's only change is adding in a handwriting program. I felt that since she already did so much more writing than the boys did at the same age we were fine but our evaluator felt that see needed more focused practice as she is developing some sloppy habits like letter reversals, mixing capital letters with lower case, etc even when copying from the book. Hannah also wants to learn some cursive so I think we will add Handwriting without Tears Grade 1 book and Cheerful Cursive from Mastery Publications. If you do the first one I'll reward you with the second one kind of trade. Hannah is finishing up the last of her K workbooks as she wants to finish so as we finish these up and we add in the new handwriting her workload should stay about the same. |
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Dec. 31, 2007 - Resolutions - Part 2 of Starting Our New Year
This topic came up on one of the loops I'm on. I had been meaning to actually write out my goals and post them publicly to help me be accountable so I answered over on the loop and also posted the information over here. And now one thing off my to do list.
We will be starting our whole new school year January 7th. We will be starting 9th, 6th, 4th, and 1st. While 2007 was an okay year I don't feel we accomplished all that we could have. I know that part of that is my fault for being inconsistent. This is in both things I didn't follow through on or things that I didn't make sure they followed through on. I feel we all got lazy. So I've also been working on resolutions for the New Year. Feel free to check up on me through out the year to see how I'm doing.
1. I have created a scheduled the makes time for school, chores, and fun. We need to be consistent in following through. School time needs to happen at school time so that other stuff gets done too. I recognize that most of the children unlike me need to be up a bit before they are ready to think so I have schedule a small chunk of chore time first thing in the morning and then we can get ready to work. There is a chunk in the afternoon that can be used to finish up school when necessary but can also be used for more productive free time. (ie no videos, tv, etc.)
2. One big goal is to make the children more responsible for completing their own chores and school. To give them ownership. I feel that all 3 boys can and should be doing a better job of this. This means I need to make sure I take time early in the year to train them in what I expect for a certain chore or what I expect in terms of getting their school work done. I also created a set of House Rules. On the surface they seem almost a bit harsh but if followed consistently they should really create the attitude and atmosphere I'm going for. (I'll post those on my blog.)
3. Clutter and mess are draining. I end up letting things go until I'm ready to go bonkers and then we miss several days of school time trying to restore order only to have things disintegrate again. This of course goes back to me being consistent in making sure that things are happening when they should. In addition to the pick up your room, make you bed, and pick up the living room type stuff I've ordered the new Motivational Moms schedule. This year I ordered the page a day. Printed 2 days per page, folded, punched and put in a small planner notebook. Each week I will assign chores for the new week. Some jobs will remain one persons responsibility and other jobs will rotate from day to day. Again I have to remember to train at the beginning so that they are working toward what I feel is a job well done. I plan to also assign bigger jobs to Hannah that we will do together. This will accomplish two things. She will be learning early to do these jobs and it will satisfy what seems to be her need for greater mom time.
4. I want to make sure that the big stuff like reading, math, and writing gets done each day. But I also want to be more consistent in areas that seemed to get put off this year. Spelling, sight words, handwriting. I do have time to read the history, science, and read-alouds each day but no more than 30 minutes for they younger two and no more than 60 minutes for Caleb and that will be during lunch so the other guys can listen in as well.
5. Giving myself permission to not be the homeschooler that gets written up in the magazines. Its okay if everyone does not work together on projects together. We don't have to do units as a group. Our school time can look just like that school time. Actually doing some lap book stuff with Hannah who really, really loves this format and not sweating it if they boys don't want to participate.
6. Make time for Mom to learn and grow. I need to make time for reading stuff that isn't for the children or isn't just junk because I'm worn out and don't want to think. I need to make time to pursue creative outlets. This can be in the form of paper or digital scrapbooking, cross stitching, or adding to my blog. I need to make time to exercise. Again this can be walking around the block, using the treadmill, or doing the dance pad on the video game system. |
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Dec. 31, 2007 - Rules and Schedule - Part 1 of Starting Our New Year
Here are our new house rules for 2008.
House Rules
1. No entertainment devices used until after 3:00 pm unless special permission is given except when being used to complete an assignment. One exception is the use of iPods for listening to music while completing your school work.
2. All chores and school work not completed by 3:00 pm are considered homework and must be completed before entertainment devices can be turned back on.
3. Be considerate of mom’s time. The longer you take to complete your assignments the less time mom has to complete her own projects.
4. Be considerate of your siblings. Do not interrupt unless it can’t wait and even then use the interrupt rule.
5. It is your responsibility to make sure all work gets completed, turned in, and graded. Please bring your completed work to mom. Not understanding the assignment is not an excuse for not completing your work. Mom not reminding you to complete an assignment is not an excuse. If it’s not done see Rule 2.
6. You are responsible for keeping up with your school materials including books, paper, pencils, and crayons. Not having the necessary materials to complete the assignment is not an excuse. If it’s not done see Rule 2.
7. No whining will be tolerated. Any time you whine more chores or school will be assigned not less. And if it’s not done see Rule 2.
8. If all your school and main chores are completed during the week you will have more time on the weekend for fun. But this is your responsibility. See Rules 2 and 5.
9. While Caleb has the main responsibility of caring for the pets we can all work together to keeps our pets healthy and happy.
I'm going to try to put our schedule here but if it doesn't show up and you really want to see it let me know and I'll try to send it out in an email.
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Time Frame
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Hayden
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Caleb
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Joshua
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Hannah Jo
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Mom
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7:00-7:30
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7:30-8:00
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8:00-8:30
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Make Bed, Chores, Breakfast
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Up, Breakfast, Make Bed, Chores, Start School
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8:30-9:00
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Do work with kids.
If they don’t come back after lunch for more work use that time for comp. stuff.
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9:00-9:30
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Individual course work
Take turns walking dog at 9:30, 11:30, 1:30, and 3:30
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9:30-10:00
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10:00-10:30
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10:30-11:00
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11:00-11:30
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11:30-12:00
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12:00-12:30
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Lunch – Mom reading upper Level SL Core
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12:30-1:00
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1:00-1:30
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Finish up school work if necessary. Meet with mom and get stuff graded. FIAR - Lapbook
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Jul. 25, 2007 - Plans for finish up School Year 2007 and starting 2008
In one of my egroups we were sharing our plans for the upcoming year so I decided to share what our plans are. While our school year officially runs Jan-Dec for some reason this year things will actually start making changes between Sept-Nov depending on lots of factors in some areas. For Hayden its mostly getting the money together. For the other guys its a matter of finishing up what they are doing now so they can start working on new stuff as I pretty much have all of what the need for the next year.
Hayden - (Visual functioning challenges)
He will start high school course work using the Audio Reader program. Content has never been the issue its been the ability to read fast enough and long enough to complete high school course work. He is reading more but not nearly enough for full course load. Audio reader program will fill in this gap for us. Most of his stuff is general in category as he will be making final choices at the GA Homeschool Expo.
Teaching Textbooks (Pre-Algebra or Algebra depending on placement tests)
SL High School (Leaning toward 300)
Apologia using their MP3 CD's for audio support (Leaning toward Physical Science which I think SL lists as 8th grade)
Writing, etc narration, typed, handwritten based on SL assignments adjusted as necessary
Typing - Typing Instructor Deluxe
Still requiring some daily free reading
Sight Word Cards
Getting a job
Caleb -
Finish up Classic Curriculum Writing and Reading Series 3 (not sure where to go from there) (One possibility is to use Beyond Five in a Row books since I already have those.)
Drill using the on-line learning center
Practical Arithmetic finish First Book start Second Book
Finish SL Core 3 Start Core 4
SL Science finish Core 3 start Core 4
Lap-books about once a month
Copy work/dictation using Rules of Civility from Knowledge Box
Christian Life Readers (Keeps of the Faith) Series 2
Guitar
Dog Training
Sight Word Cards
Youth Group Activities
Joshua -
Christian Life Readers (KOF) Series 1
Finish up SL Core 2 readers
Finish up Language Lessons for the Very Young
Finish up Manners Copy-work (Queens)
Lap-books and Five in A Row (FIAR) activities
Finish up Core B plus then
Core C including Science
After finishing up other LA stuff we will be making a switch -
Winter Promise LA 1 with Children of the World Readers (we just got the box yesterday but it is much harder then SL reading levels. Their 1 Readers are as hard or harder than SL Core 2 readers. It also approaches with vertical phonics which I think will benefit Joshua in the areas where he seems to be stuck at.)
Finish up Math Paces Grade 3 -
Most like Math Rod and Staff Grade 4 or possibly Practical Math Book 1 if Caleb has finished with it.
Thinking Skills Books
Sight Word Cards
Campfire USA Science Class
Church Kid's Choir
Church Fun and Fitness Friday
Hannah -
Lap-books and FIAR activities
Finish up Core B plus then
Core C including Science
She'll be starting Winter Promise Advanced K LA
The rest looks like a long list and some stuff will be getting finished up and not replaced. Other things will get dropped if they seem to be getting overwhelming. Not everything will get done every day.
Classic Curriculum Reading and Writing Series 1 (will drop when we finish)
Classic Curriculum Math Series 1 (will drop when finished)
Essential Skills Math (finishing the last book in the series)
Rod and Staff Preschool Series (we have 2 books to finish up)
Phonics Museum K will go on to 1st grade
Language Lessons for Little Ones (not sure if we will drop or if I will pick up Language Lessons for the Very Young)
Thinking Skills Books
Singapore Math
Develop the Early Learning (we are on book 3 of 4)
Sight Word Cards
Campfire USA Science Class
Church Kid's Choir
Church Fun and Fitness Friday |
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Oct. 18, 2005 - Plans - Future Part 2
So where are we headed?
First I
will preface all of this by saying that I love living books. I
love the idea of Charlotte Mason combined with some classical
aspects. I love the idea of unit studies where the family sits
around the table doing studies together and making projects. I
love the idea of children rambling through the fields and completing
wonderful nature studies.
But the reality is that this
ideal does not match my family. I know many families that have
found ways to make this work in a variety of ways but it just didnt
seem to be working for me. In the past few years Ive finished
the year feeling that I had either left things incomplete or that I met
the needs of one of my children but not all of them. I was often
left feeling worn out and discouraged the last couple of years.
So I decided it was time to really look at what was working and not
working in our lives. I spent a lot of time in prayer asking for
guidance. I looked at lots of different things. Then in the
last month one thing just came popping up and I kept pushing it down
because it was the one thing I would never use in my homeschool.
It was a cop out for those who didnt really want to homeschool.
So after a few weeks of Gods gentle voice and a large helping of
humble pie I took a serious look at what I had been led too.
That item was the type of curriculum that is different subjects and
each subject divided into small workbooks. I looked over three of
the leading companies and finally made a decision of which one I was
most interested in.
We have decided to use Accelerated
Christian Education from School of Tomorrow. Our main reasons for
this program are the fact that the PACES themselves are numbered in a
way that doesnt list the grade level on the cover. This was
especially important because of my childrens varying levels and
sensitivity. Also while we will not be using their school
services in looking over their high school requirements I found that
they had 4 levels of diplomas. This really made me feel hopeful
for my 14 year old. I could see that he can work and get just as
far as possible over the next 5 years and there will be a level that
will fit him. I was able to sit with him and think about some
longer-term goals as well.
When researching the
curriculum the main objects I saw were related to the fact that it did
not have the children reading a wide variety of material. Most of
the other objections seem to relate to using this program in school
setting. Of course there were the ones that objected because of
its Christian content but of course this was a plus to me.
So our plans include continuing to read through Sonlight Core materials
as a family around the breakfast, lunch, and after dinner hours.
We can still enjoy great living books and each child can take from them
what he can. We can also feel free to stop and follow rabbit
trails and still feel like we are covering our bases.
We will continue to use the Bright Minds Critical Thinking Press
books. My children have always enjoyed these books and they take
a small time commitment each day.
Currently the boys are completing their diagnostic testing to determine their placement in the ACEs program.
My 14 year old will continue to use Sequential Spelling for
spelling. It is the first program he has had success with.
Per the consultation we had with ACE we will skip the literature
program this year and continue to have him read books off our shelves
or from the library. He will be using the 9th grade Bible
that is a survey of the New Testament because he really wanted to start
at least one high school level course. He will be using the 7th
grade Social Studies, Science, and English. We will also complete
their Florida History course. He will also use their math at what
ever level his testing reveals to be correct.
My 10
year old will use their 3rd grade English, Literature/Creative Writing,
and Word Building. He will use the 4th grade Bible, Social
Studies, and Science. He is also still in the process of
finishing the math testing to determine progress.
My 8
year old will use the 2nd grade Word Building and Math. He will
continue to work through Hooked on Phonics for reading. We
have been using it for about two months and he has showed the most
progress with this program. He will use their 1st grade Bible,
English, Social Studies, and Science. These may be a little easy
but one of our goals is to help him make goals and complete work in a
timely manner so we decided that he would do better with a slightly
easier program so we could concentrate on the heart issues.
My 4 year old will continue to work through our plan with my Preschool
reading schedule. She will then complete the Little Hearts to His
Glory Program. She will also continue to work through the Christ
Centered program for math and reading. As she finishes up these
levels of math and reading I will have her take the placement test for
the ACE Program and place her where ever is appropriate at that time.
So as I saw this plan coming together it was like a
weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I have found a program
that can be used long term. It can help me to make sure that all
my children are completing the basics at their appropriate level.
I have a paper trail. Yet I will still have time in my day to
include the reading of great living books or any other projects that we
might want to pursue. It will help my children have time to
pursue their own interests. It will help all of us achieve the
goals we have set for our next year. And since I really do love
Sonlight I have found a way to continue to make it a part of our
homeschool life and yet have the needs of all my children balanced.
Next the Present - What are we doing now?
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Oct. 17, 2005 - Goals - Future Part 1
Assessing Our Goals
First I
start by saying that over the years we have changed our school year to
run from January to December. This just seems to make the year
flow better for us. Also our evaluator is very popular and its
much easier to get an appointment in January especially since I have to
get 4 children tested.
I spent a lot of time this past
year trying different things and methods. I realized that I
really needed to sit down and put into writing the goals I had for each
of my children and then look for a program that would best match the
goals I had instead of choosing a curriculum that looked great to me
but I had to try to push the children to fit the program.
For my 14 year old my main goal is to help him begin to work
independently and move toward his future goals of something in
computers. He has worked very hard this year and has made more
progress than any previous year. He really wants to begin finding
ways to complete his education at home.
My 10 year old
has also made a lot of progress this year. I wanted to find
something for him that would allow me to make sure he has his basics
covered but also allow him plenty of free time to pursue the things
that interest him. I also have the goal of helping him to plan
out a project and bring it completion instead of just jumping from
thing to thing.
My 8 year old really needs some
remediation to bring him up to speed. He also needs to work at
setting goals and following through. He is overwhelmed by
anything that looks too thick or too hard.
My 4 year
old needs to continue to be challenged while still having plenty of
time to play and explore. We have found that her behavior is much
when she has some very intense school time every day. So are goal
for her to combine good physical play time and dedicated intense school
time.
Next our plans for the upcoming school year.
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