Well, we did start off well. But, as the month progressed I was still trying to figure out a way to be more organized. I want to have all assignments pulled together a week (or two) ahead of schedule. *Yeah, you probably already do that. But I usually assigned specific pages on a daily basis using my "year goal" as a guideline. I had daily "top priority" subjects (math, grammar, penmanship, science/history), and "if I get to it" subjects (logic, art, foreign language, etc) worked in on 'good days'. Unfortunately, I did not "get to" those subjects nearly as often as I wanted to. Also, there were lots of great supplemental learning activities that were not being utilized.
Anyway, I had been seeing little blips about "workboxes" here and there and it gave me an idea.... Personal workboxes that would hold everything each child needs individually- include daily assignment sheets, chore lists, workbooks, Cd's, reference material, etc all in one handy location. The idea that each child has ownership of their "box", and is responsible for completing each daily folder would be a great improvement on my previous bookshelf system (every one's books always get intermingled or *gasp* "lost"). My hope is that by giving each child ownership of their educational materials, I will no longer have to search for misplaced workbooks, or require and assignment to be redone because "the baby ate my homework."
Walmart just happened to have these hanging file-folder boxes in each kid's favorite color. At $10 each they are heavy-duty and I expect should stand up to the inevitable abuse they will be subjected to. They lock down, and have a storage unit on top for pencils and stuff which I find indispensable. I already had the Pendaflex and file folders on hand. Their assignments separated by subject for daily subjects and day-of-the-week for weekly subjects.
Anyway, I had been seeing little blips about "workboxes" here and there and it gave me an idea.... Personal workboxes that would hold everything each child needs individually- include daily assignment sheets, chore lists, workbooks, Cd's, reference material, etc all in one handy location. The idea that each child has ownership of their "box", and is responsible for completing each daily folder would be a great improvement on my previous bookshelf system (every one's books always get intermingled or *gasp* "lost"). My hope is that by giving each child ownership of their educational materials, I will no longer have to search for misplaced workbooks, or require and assignment to be redone because "the baby ate my homework."
Walmart just happened to have these hanging file-folder boxes in each kid's favorite color. At $10 each they are heavy-duty and I expect should stand up to the inevitable abuse they will be subjected to. They lock down, and have a storage unit on top for pencils and stuff which I find indispensable. I already had the Pendaflex and file folders on hand. Their assignments separated by subject for daily subjects and day-of-the-week for weekly subjects.
DD5 has been using this method for 2 weeks now and it has been a success for both of us. I get less stressed trying to get her lessons together in the morning. She now knows exactly what to expect each day and actually looks forward to most of her lessons. She likes the folder with phonics and math games/manipulatives, and has become very possessive of the stuff in the top pencil box.
DD10 likes to work independently in her room, and this method allows her to start working as soon as she is ready (usually earlier than anyone else). And come to me when she is ready for lessons. She also has filled the top portion with personal items. I just need to make sure she actually completes each section daily.
DS12 is still working on using his box effectively. He tends to forget to return his books to the box. His natural instinct is to have things in a logical order, so I will just need to work on forming the habit with him and proving that it is effective.
DD2's box will have sewing cards, preschool puzzles, a filefolder game, and coloring pages. I want to add more filefolder games and manipulatives as I make them up. I envision this as a busy box to keep her happy while I do school lessons with the others, but that is still in the works.
We are going on vacation this week and will be bringing along their **packed and prepared!!** workboxes. I will let you know how it goes.
