 |
| My son's (Trucker) system, still a work in progress. |
I use the work box system with my oldest son. He has an autistic spectrum disorder and is in 10th grade. He is learning at a 2nd grade level and gets very overwhelmed with too much work. I started the work box system in hopes to lesson his stress and to teach some independence. He has nine drawers that has spelling, reading, grammar, writing, science, math, social studies. The extra drawers are for his electives in digital photography, sign language, and computers. They are also schooled through Ohio Connections Academy.
I also have a 15 yr old and 12 yrs old sons that will be starting to use a 3 ring binder with pocket dividers that will have their daily requirements to complete. They will put their work into the folder when they are don't or they will email them to me so that I can check them over before submitting the completed work to their teachers. They are also schooled through Ohio Connections Academy.
Then I have a five yr old son that is in Kindergarten, but he does first grade work. He will be on a work box system for next semester to help to teach him more independence while still having support when needed. His system will be like his older brothers.
 |
| This is Pigpen's desk and work box system/bookshelf. Just a basic bin for his different worksheets, books, and puzzles. |
My next child is 3 yrs old and has been WANTING "school" work. SO I have set up a theme/unit method f schooling for him. He loves it. He gets dry erase work in a specific letter and number of the week (aka T is for Turkey was the most recent). These themes include science, math, reading, writing, art/crafts, puzzles, etc. I also have a HUGE fish bowl where he adds a new fish with the number of the week on it, puts up the new color onto our ice cream cone, names off the alphabet (upper & lowercase letters),
Methods
ECLECTIC
I have my sons enrolled in an online based school called Ohio Connections Academy. This works for us right now due to financial restraints. I love their mix curriculum, Calvert for the studies, online educational videos, www.readingeggs.com, and they are working with my special needs sons.
CLASSICAL
I do like to find and substitute curriculum in areas that I feel that my sons are missing out in OCA. I am still on the fence about the memorization. Some of it is good, some of it is really boring. We don’t really follow the binder set suggestions either. We tried, it was just too much, for me and the children. I do like the idea of my boys learning Latin though. I think Latin is important because its words are the root of almost all words. It teaches a great foundation for any type of career in the sciences, math, or medical field.
HANDS ON LEARNING
My children prefer hands on learning. I think it makes things more interesting. I believe kids learn better if you bring the learning down to their level. Make it more fun, with games, crafts, cooking, experiments, and anything that can be turned into a visual guide.
CHARLOTTE MASON
Nature is also very important in our home. I try to have as many activities that are outside as we can, weather permitting. I incorporate science, math, art, and writing with nature.
WORKBOOKS
I know this not a method you hear about often. But, it is something we use in our home. I believe it balances out the hands on learning, and teaches a great skill. One that will be used as an adult.
UNIT STUDIES/THEMES
My boys love unit studies. Its a great way to throw in a small lesson and fun activities without bogging them down with a huge month long, or longer lessons. My children usually wrap it all up with a lap book or craft too. I use unit studies/themes to enhance the holidays, special occasions, or a special day to help my children to learn new things in a different and fun approach.
UNSCHOOLED
“When their children show an interest in a new topic unschooled parents may make available a variety of resources to help their child explore the subject, such as “real” books(rather than textbooks),hands-on experiences (learning by “doing” and helping), games and fun activities, TV, movies, computer resources, art projects, etc. They may also seek out opportunities to learn within the community or from experts. But, even though they may offer such resources to the child, they do not insist that the child explore the topic further, the choice is the child’s to make”
I don’t care what other may say. I am a little unschooled. I’m not radical and don’t pretend to be, but I do incoorperate outside activities that are in the community, online websites, movies or educational videos,
I know that is a lot of methods, and anything I find that can teach them. In order to do that I need to think on their level, plan, research and figure out the best way to provide the best education possible for my children.
WORK BOXES
I have found that my children need an organized way of going about their day, so I have implememented their core subjects into the work box system. I can also guarentee that their subjects are getting done on a daily basis.
I have turned the box idea into a three ring binder for my older sons. They are not into the box/drawer thing, but the binders defiently work. I have a folder per pocket folder. One pocket is that days assignments and the other is either for an upcoming project/portfolio or reenforcment work.
For my younger sons, kindergarden and preschool, I use the work box/drawer system.
I have my sons enrolled in an online based school called Ohio Connections Academy. This works for us right now due to financial restraints. I love their mix curriculum, Calvert for the studies, online educational videos, www.readingeggs.com, and they are working with my special needs sons.
CLASSICAL
I do like to find and substitute curriculum in areas that I feel that my sons are missing out in OCA. I am still on the fence about the memorization. Some of it is good, some of it is really boring. We don’t really follow the binder set suggestions either. We tried, it was just too much, for me and the children. I do like the idea of my boys learning Latin though. I think Latin is important because its words are the root of almost all words. It teaches a great foundation for any type of career in the sciences, math, or medical field.
HANDS ON LEARNING
My children prefer hands on learning. I think it makes things more interesting. I believe kids learn better if you bring the learning down to their level. Make it more fun, with games, crafts, cooking, experiments, and anything that can be turned into a visual guide.
CHARLOTTE MASON
Nature is also very important in our home. I try to have as many activities that are outside as we can, weather permitting. I incorporate science, math, art, and writing with nature.
WORKBOOKS
I know this not a method you hear about often. But, it is something we use in our home. I believe it balances out the hands on learning, and teaches a great skill. One that will be used as an adult.
UNIT STUDIES/THEMES
My boys love unit studies. Its a great way to throw in a small lesson and fun activities without bogging them down with a huge month long, or longer lessons. My children usually wrap it all up with a lap book or craft too. I use unit studies/themes to enhance the holidays, special occasions, or a special day to help my children to learn new things in a different and fun approach.
UNSCHOOLED
“When their children show an interest in a new topic unschooled parents may make available a variety of resources to help their child explore the subject, such as “real” books(rather than textbooks),hands-on experiences (learning by “doing” and helping), games and fun activities, TV, movies, computer resources, art projects, etc. They may also seek out opportunities to learn within the community or from experts. But, even though they may offer such resources to the child, they do not insist that the child explore the topic further, the choice is the child’s to make”
I don’t care what other may say. I am a little unschooled. I’m not radical and don’t pretend to be, but I do incoorperate outside activities that are in the community, online websites, movies or educational videos,
I know that is a lot of methods, and anything I find that can teach them. In order to do that I need to think on their level, plan, research and figure out the best way to provide the best education possible for my children.
WORK BOXES
I have found that my children need an organized way of going about their day, so I have implememented their core subjects into the work box system. I can also guarentee that their subjects are getting done on a daily basis.
I have turned the box idea into a three ring binder for my older sons. They are not into the box/drawer thing, but the binders defiently work. I have a folder per pocket folder. One pocket is that days assignments and the other is either for an upcoming project/portfolio or reenforcment work.
For my younger sons, kindergarden and preschool, I use the work box/drawer system.
