Completing projects

Sometimes big projects can be overwhelming for little ones. My statement of "clean your room" is totally a doable project for the born organized 15-year-old. She could handle the job, mostly on her own from the time she was 4. But for my more creatively thinking kids, that is an overwhelming request that will most likely deteriorate into tears and frustration within the first half hour. That is, if they don't get distracted and just start playing with something instead.

My solution has been to break down the job into smaller steps and then when possible, give them a visual to track their process.

In the example of cleaning their room, I might cut out a construction paper triangle and cut layers (like the old Food Pyramid idea). Put one area of their room on each section with "vacuum" being the very top triangle. Scatter the pieces on the table in the living room, out of the project area, and child finds the largest piece. It might say "make your bed" or "clean off the top and the floor under your desk." When that job is done, the child comes back to the table and finds the next piece up on the pyramid. Completing each job piece by piece gives some organization to the process and helps to guide a child who might not be able to get through the process on their own without getting distracted. For added incentive or structure, you can set a timer for 10-15 minutes. If the job is done before the timer goes off, the kid gets to play until it does. The job is still completed in the time frame you set forth, they are encouraged to stay focused for a short period of time, and they also get the mental breaks they may need to get it done.

We also use this sort of system with our younger kids when it comes to school work. Starting her day with a list of subjects to get through is overwhelming. She doesn't always have the same subjects every day either. But she is much more willing to stay focused and work if there is light at the end of the tunnel and she knows there is an end to it. So we use something like this...

All of the subjects she will work on were written on die cuts from the dollar store and backed with a small piece of magnetic strip so that they stick to the fridge. I got a magnetic pocket from a sale on school supply sales somewhere years ago. By adding a clipart basket to the front of the pocket, I've created a "done" basket. Each day I put the subjects that are on her assignment sheet on the fridge. Since I work with this child one on one while my older students complete their own work, I know what the actual assignments are. When we finish an activity or reading assignment she puts the correct apple into the basket. When all the apples are in the basket, she'd done for the day. 

You could also use this system for chores. Put each item to be done on a piece of paper or clipart image and  as the jobs are completed they are put into a basket or moved from one side of a chart to the other. Personally I like things like this on the fridge. It is out in the open and I can see someone's progress without having to interrupt and ask them what they're doing, what they've finished, or what they still need to do.

Ready for school

I was well on my way setting up this blog and getting several posts entered, when poof, it was almost time for us to start school again. So much for the grand plans I had for getting some things done this summer. But, we had a much needed time of relaxation and break from our regular routine. We can now begin a new school year with enthusiasm. As a homeschool mom here are some of the things I do to prepare for the new year...

Some of the supplies for 3 kids (huge pencils are Pringles cans that will hold some things for 1st day)

1. New school supplies.
Take advantage of the super sales that are offered now (and buy extra to replace or refresh supplies for 2nd semester). At the end of each summer I make a spreadsheet to compare which stores are offering what so I can get the best deals. Keep in mind that Walmart matches any price, so you can price match the lowest sale price at one store AND use a coupon on the same item (even if that coupon is from another store).

Top: Post It notes, boxes of pens, lined paper (1/3 of our stash)
Bottom: Sharpies, glue bottles and sticks, mechanical pencils

2.  Go through the library (home library)
As many homeschoolers do, we use a LOT of books. Being the Type A person I am, I need to have all (or most) of those books in my possession before I begin the school year.
*1 - I move all of last year's books back in to their storage space clear the shelves for the "current shelves" for the books we will use over the next 9 months. Go through the curriculum and make a book list. When the books are bought, they do not get shelved until I have logged them in to our book list. Yes, I have a list of every book we have (hundreds). That list allows me to mark who I loan books to as well as providing a reference that keeps me from ordering duplicates. It was quite a process to create, but not shelving books until they are logged in is key to keeping it current.
*2 - Mark the books for this year with a colored dot and put clear packing tape over it. This color-coding system easily marks each book for what year of the curriculum it is used. Once all books are purchased, each year gets easier to set up because we just gather all the same colored dots.

                      This is 1 year of Tapestry of Grace (not including math and science books)

3. Create schedules
*1 - I print out blank spreadsheets with 5 columns and as many rows as we need for our school day (typically each box is 30 minutes of time). I use 1 sheet per student starting with the oldest. Mark off any days/times that are not going to be used for school (weekly classes, weekly Bible studies, ... anything that happens every week that would affect school).  I write all of the student's subjects on separate 1x1 sticky notes and start placing them on the 30 minute sections (some will take 30 minutes, some take 60 which would be 2 boxes).
*2 - After completing the first student's schedule, I move on the next. The 2nd (and subsequent) schedules will need to be compared for when each student might need your attention. Do not double book yourself to help 2 or more kids at the same time.
*3 - After all kids have been done, I create a schedule for myself. This shows me when I am supposed to be where and when I have scheduled in time for me to do grading, take care of business (I run a home-based business as well as teach 3 grades).
*4 - After every sticky note chart matches up (or at least I think it does), I transfer everything over to a spreadsheet in the computer. This I print out and post on the wall as well as give each student one for their room.

4. Resource Folders
My kids were often needing to reference the same information throughout the school year (math charts, theories, Scripture we were memorizing, etc.) So I decided to give them one place to reference. This became our Resource Folders. For my youngest, it was where she learned her address, her birthday, my cell phone number. For the older kids it is where they look to remember a multiplication chart or an algebra formula. The base of the folder is basically 2 file folders glued together (think 'lapbook'). I go through their math, science, and whatever else I think they may need to know for the following year and print it up on the computer or copy it right out of their books. Attach everything to the folder and it's flaps and then laminate the whole thing so it lasts for the entire year.

Red folder has yellow flap added (sticking over yellow folder). Everything folds up into single folder size.

5. Plan for as much as possible (but be flexible - some things work and some things don't. Tweak as needed and move on). Consider things like:
- Do you expect/plan for them to do their work in a specific place? (we gave up on desks a long time ago)
- Do you need snacks or breaks to get through the day?
- Where will kids turn things in? (stacking on my desk does NOT work)
-Do you need a family calendar so everyone is on the same page each week?
-Are your schedules and goals realistic? Have you planned too much? Not enough?

This is what we are using this year. The Homework Caddy gives us a place to see the calendar, turn things in (and get them back without my tracking down each kid), see the schedule and even keep track of who is making breakfast on what day. The calendar is magnetic and there is a pocket (mine is yellow) to the right for pen storage. A large slide through pocket in the center allows us to post our daily schedule with a 4x6 pocket on either side. We have the breakfast cooking schedule to the left and a quote on the right reads, "I am a homeschooling mom. If you hear me talking to myself, please do not interrupt. I am having a parent/teacher conference." The 4 pockets on the bottom are labeled with 1 place to turn papers in and then I return them to each child's individual pocket.

Have a great year!!!

Timeline

When we moved in to a new house, I found a space for almost everything. But by the time everything was put in cabinets and pictures hung on the wall, I discovered I had no wall space left for a timeline. Bummer, I really wanted one of those. So I mentioned (ok whined) to my husband that I didn't have any place for a timeline. He grabbed his keys, went to the local home improvement store and returned with the PERFECT solution.

He hung a fake bamboo roll up blind in our dining room window. It rolls up tight against the top and you don't even notice it's there when it's rolled up. But when it's down, it is the perfect place to put the timeline pieces. Instant timeline space for about $20.

Summer Activities

It's HOT outside, here are some hot weather ideas...

* "Paint" with water on the sidewalk! Just get a container of water and a paintbrush and let the kids have at it.

* Puree and freeze fruit in popsicle molds (even paper cups with a craft stick will do)

* Water balloon fights

* Discovery blocks (freeze small plastic objects in a large plastic container - when frozen solid, set outside and kids chisel out the prizes)

*Scavenger hunt for "tickets" hidden around the house or yard. Use the tickets to buy water balloons from the "Cool off station"

*Toddlers - put ice cubes in the tray of a stationary saucer type toy. You can also put a little water in the bottom for their feet to splash in (there are usually holes in the bottom for drainage, so there won't be a lot of water accumulation)

* Toddlers - going to a sandy place like a beach or lake? Take a small blow up kiddie pool and put the toddler in there with some water (or not depending on the age). Little pool specifically for them stays clean longer than in and out of the sandy shore.

* Water tag - tape single squares of toilet tissue or facial tissue to the T-shirts of all players. Use water guns or squirters to "tag" opponents. When all of your targets are wet and have fallen off, you're out.

First Post

My first blog... wow. Hopefully soon this will be a resource place for parents and teachers.

With a background spent primarily with preschoolers, we needed a place to share ideas and activities relating to older kids. So you will find activities, recipes, tips and just plain fun stuff for kids of all ages.

Enjoy!