tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077606555854048378.post2038553718601373458..comments2023-04-26T07:01:43.270-07:00Comments on Teaching My Children About The Universe: Making It WorkJaneHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759021802968652206noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077606555854048378.post-39806361429532357302014-08-25T18:19:18.654-07:002014-08-25T18:19:18.654-07:00Congratulations on expecting #5! What exciting new...Congratulations on expecting #5! What exciting news!<br />I was really inspired by the workbox idea, and a lot of my planning was influenced by it. I just couldn't figure out a way to make it work in our rather small house. We already have bookshelves in every spare corner!JaneHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17759021802968652206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9077606555854048378.post-7102936642523817342014-08-24T19:13:50.594-07:002014-08-24T19:13:50.594-07:00Loved this post, Jane! We have different systems b...Loved this post, Jane! We have different systems but the same purpose behind them. Instead of a schedule, we use the workbox system. Each child has a set of boxes or drawers numbered 1-10. I fill those boxes with their independent or semi-independent work each night (or for little ones--toys and games to keep them occupied during school time). Older kids have to do whatever is in their boxes, in order, before they are done with school for the day. <br />I also try to stagger read-aloud time conveniently. R8 and I do SL Core D read alouds early in the morning before the others wake up. The she does her boxes while I read SL P4/5 to R6 and P3, as well as doing Logic of English lessons with them. (Both are emerging readers). I also make sure to read from SL P3/4 or random books to both P3 and R2 whenever I can. Dog. Big Dog. Big dogs and little dogs. Oh, sorry...I've been warped by that one too ;-). <br />We've also recently implemented a chore chart with movable cards on it. Each card is a chore with cash value. Some chores are required for a particular child, others (such as cleaning the bathroom or vacuuming) are bonus chores. At the end of each day I pay them for whatever cards are in their "done" slot on the chore chart. Like you, I have children with variable responses to the chore chart. R8 would rather read all day. R6 is eager to do all her required chores and then do as many bonus chores as possible. She's motivated by money, that one :). P3 and R2 are too little to really appreciate it, but some day it will click. I hope.<br />And definitely...the systems really help, and I would say necessary...but in the end it truly is the grace of God that any of this is possible. I will need to remind myself of this even more when baby #5 arrives in November and I have to re-invent the wheel to account for nursing, napping, and all that :).Katiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06840131275270705443noreply@blogger.com