The First Day

was a success.

School was done by 2:36 p.m. Piano practice and all =]

I need to work on Bradley though. He needs more one on one time and I can't give it to him while I'm doing botany, history, math, and phonics with the other ones. So he got bored and made messes and got into things. He did his workbox but he still needs lots of help doing the things I put in there. I think I am going to have to start a special "school time" with just him for when I'm done with the others. I don't know. Still thinking this one through.

Kyle didn't like school at all LOL. He spent most of the morning sitting under the table at Haley's feet fussing/crying. After lunch I was able to get him occupied in a few things. And once Ally was done with her school she helped a lot and played with him. So we need to work on that too =]

All in all I think it wasn't too bad. There were just a few times when Tyler had to wait maybe 5 minutes for me to be done with someone else. So I had him get out his "extra" folder with things to pass the time. Science (botany) took longer than I thought. For them to write/illustrate in their notebooks, but how can you rush creativity? lol

Lunch worked out great because I packed each of them a lunch the night before. Lunch time came and they all got their bags and ate and then got right back to work. YAY! Works much better than our old way- that took up to 45 mins. Ugh.

I already have the workboxes filled for tomorrow. I worked on that while Haley was finishing up her last folder and Ally and Ty were already done.

I think this is going to work for us =] Everyone liked that they knew what they needed to do and knew when they were done. They also saw that it didn't take us all day and when they realized they were done by 2 (except Haley who went to 2:36) they were thrilled so I think this will keep them motivated.

That's all the update I have time for right now because I do need to get dinner started and cloth diapers in the wash =]

btw I LOVED the little "chores" card I added to their workboxes. It helped keep me sane =] lol When they get to that they ask me what I want them to do. When it was Ally's turn I had her clean up the floor from Kyle's mess. (It was nice to not see that mess anymore and not have to think about it lol). Tyler's turn I had him straighten up his room. And Haley's turn was to straighten up her room.

A Look Inside the Boxes...

I am not too concerned with filling up all 12 folders/boxes for now. We are going to see how it goes and I'm sure there will be a little adjusting as we go.

We do botany all together and I plan on doing that 3 days a week (right now) and the other 2 days will be journal writing. If they choose to write in their journals everyday that's fine but I won't have it in the boxes as a requirement (at least not yet).

I have an extra folder for each child (it's in the "papers to be checked by mom" holder) so if there is a time when I am working with someone else still they can either move to the next folder in their workboxes or go to the extra folder and get out something to do until I'm done. This was the principals aka dads idea and I like it!

He also came up with an idea for "bad behavior" or just the general "I don't want to do something" attitude (which thankfully doesn't happen all that often ;)) I made red X cards and if you have one on the outside of your workbox when the principal gets home then you have to see him LOL


For the first day of school:
Haley
#1- Botany
#2- Piano Practice 30 mins
#3- History with mom
#4- Saxon Math
#5- Growing with Grammar
#6- Wordly Wise
#7- Health Quest
#8- Chores

Tyler
#1- Botany
#2- History with mom
#3- Piano Practice 30 mins
#4- Saxon Math with mom
#5- U.S. Map puzzle
#6- Growing with Grammar
#7- Wordly Wise
#8- Chores
#9- Computer Time 30mins

Allyson
#1- Botany
#2- History with mom
#3- Saxon Phonics with mom
#4- Computer Time 30 mins
#5- Saxon Math with mom
#6- addition practice on wipe off mat
#7- Chores
#8- Color

I haven't decided about Bradley yet. I did make him a workbox but he doesn't seem interested in them yet. I think he might when he actually sees the other ones using it. I only have 3 folders for it now. I'll probably fill it with a few fun things incase he does want to participate but I have more of a "wait and see what happens" attitude for his.

So that will be our first day. I'm hoping for very few distractions but that's kinda silly with a 3 year old and almost 1 year old. So I'm just going in it with no expectations! I don't know how long it will take them to finish their boxes but I'm curious to find out. It used to take ALL DAY LONG and still not get finished. Just for all the distractions and waiting to see what's next etc. I'm really thinking/hoping the workboxes will help all that.

Let the countdown begin....