One of my favorite curriculum choices EVER has been RightStart Math!! This is hands down the best decision I have made for our homeschool family. RightStart Math is written by Dr. Joan Cotter with Activities for Learning.
I'll be doing more posts about Right Start, but for right now I want to give you some of the highlights that made me love this curriculum.
1. It teaches in the way that the math part of your brain understands. Writing numbers is Art, not math! Teaching by worksheets does not work for most children because they are practicing how to draw the number, not what it means. Additionally, counting is not math, either, so if your child is loving worksheets because she loves to write and count on her fingers she's actually not learning math. The math part of your brain allows for items that represent numbers to move around. This curriculum gives mental pictures and enhances that ability. The AL Abacus is the perfect example.
2. Math is parent driven. If you're not going to be there to help your kids learn, why are you homeschooling? Math builds on itself. It can be presented in many ways, but you can't get around the fact that there are steps that need to be learned in a certain order. Unlike other subjects (history, science) you can not just jump in anywhere. Math needs to have a good base before you can proceed to higher level thinking and only through deliberate teaching can you know if your child is understanding math. Checking worksheets is not enough to know if your child is understanding math nor is plopping them in front of a TV or computer and hoping they are understanding it.
3. Math is used your whole life, and RightStart shows your child how things are applied from the start. Instead of abstract word problems, Dr. Cotter has created tangible examples using everyday examples, items around the house, and geometry. Through these examples, your child will see math from many different angles, and the beauty that problems can be solved in many different ways.
4. It helps parents with math anxiety learn to understand and enjoy math. I am an engineer that hated math. Sounds weird, I know. It's not normal, but I was taught math in a numeral-worksheet-driven, timed-test, you-do-it-only-our-way public school format. When geometry hit I finally understood math because I could see it and then from there it started to make more sense. Teaching my children using RightStart has greatly helped my basic math skills, and decreased my need for a calculator for basic math.
5. Games! Games! Games! I believe that the best way to learn is to have fun. Math games are a key to being successful in learning how to mentally 'see' math. If only worksheets are used, then you only learn to visualize the numerals (again...Art class) and not what they really mean. Through games, everyone gets faster, more efficient at math while having fun.
There are so many more things, that I love about this curriculum. I can't wait to unpack it for you.
Stay tuned for more.
Feb 21, 2020
Feb 3, 2020
Bulk Cooking Using a PreMade Plan
Mimi Wilson and Mary Beth Lagerborg wrote Once-A-Month Cooking Family Favorites.
In this book they give some great tips and plans for successful Once-A-Month Cooking. With month-long menus, 2 week menus, Gluten Free and others, they have created a great resource for anyone wanting to try this method of cooking.
In past years, I have done Once-A-Month cooking with my own recipes. But, it became a bit frustrating getting past the learning curve. There are aspects of bulk cooking that are important, but not understood until you are in the middle of it. Through this resource, Mimi and Mary Beth take you through the steps of bulk cooking without having such a steep learning curve. They give you shopping lists, and a prep order that makes everything much more efficient. Once you get the process of bulk cooking down, it's simpler to adjust recipes, add your own, and even make up your own month.
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| Prepping in the Morning |
One big difference between my past method, and the one planned in this book is the number of different meals per month. I only made 15 different kinds dinners in the past with 2-3 nights' worth per recipe. Doing less variety makes it a bit quicker on the prep side, but then if your family doesn't like a meal, you have 1-2 more of the unwanted foes in the freezer. Not all meals freeze equally. So, a meal that your family loves fresh may not freeze and thaw well which could deem it inedible.
 |
| Adding Meals! These are most of the meals made in Cycle A cooling on the back deck. |
I can't wait!!
Once a Month Cooking - Did they eat it?
I don't know about you, but at about 4:00 each day I become flustered because we have to eat, AGAIN! Dinner needs to be made EVERY NIGHT?! Who warned me about this? No one! Forget this. I'm done with this adulting crap. Maybe my dog will share his kibble? He seems to like it every. single. day.
So in desperation of not turning to dog food, I tried something new...Once a Month Cooking.
It's been one month since I did my first cooking day. I have been thawing and preparing in different ways all month...and the big question is, did we like the meals for Once A Month Cooking?
It was so great to have the nightly stress of 'What am I going to make for dinner?' gone! Plus, my entire family ate most things, which is a success in itself. (My pickiest eater balked at a couple meals, but that's expected)
All month I made dinner without eyeing the dog's meal and still had time to do other things as it was cooking. I made some yummy sides because I could! I sat and watched a movie or two...gasp..I know! Well, it's more like, 'Stood and watched a movie while I ssslowwwly made my side dish'. Did you know that if you milk it right you can watch an entire Marvel movie while preparing a salad and rice?! I know! It's master level milking around here. You should try it.
One thing I learned...add breakfasts! They're awesome. My egg bowls were a hit. This month I'm going to add premade french toast to see how that goes. I expect mother-of-the-year awards. ;-)
For February, I've tried a new Once A Month Cooking plan that I'll write about soon. There were some differences from my first month that I'll explain, but regardless of the system there's one universal truth...IT'S AWESOME!!
Even if you start small and do only a week or two worth of meals, it's worth it, give it a try!
So in desperation of not turning to dog food, I tried something new...Once a Month Cooking.
It's been one month since I did my first cooking day. I have been thawing and preparing in different ways all month...and the big question is, did we like the meals for Once A Month Cooking?
yes.
Yes!
YES!!
It was so great to have the nightly stress of 'What am I going to make for dinner?' gone! Plus, my entire family ate most things, which is a success in itself. (My pickiest eater balked at a couple meals, but that's expected)
All month I made dinner without eyeing the dog's meal and still had time to do other things as it was cooking. I made some yummy sides because I could! I sat and watched a movie or two...gasp..I know! Well, it's more like, 'Stood and watched a movie while I ssslowwwly made my side dish'. Did you know that if you milk it right you can watch an entire Marvel movie while preparing a salad and rice?! I know! It's master level milking around here. You should try it.
One thing I learned...add breakfasts! They're awesome. My egg bowls were a hit. This month I'm going to add premade french toast to see how that goes. I expect mother-of-the-year awards. ;-)
For February, I've tried a new Once A Month Cooking plan that I'll write about soon. There were some differences from my first month that I'll explain, but regardless of the system there's one universal truth...IT'S AWESOME!!
Even if you start small and do only a week or two worth of meals, it's worth it, give it a try!
Jan 21, 2020
Instant Egg Bowls
My favorite breakfasts are egg skillets or omelets. I love all the possible fillings and toppings and I order them whenever we go out for breakfast. But, cutting, prepping, and cooking skillets in the weekday mornings becomes daunting. So I have created a once-a-month cooking prep for breakfast that tastes amazing and yet is SUPER quick! Are you ready? You'll love this!
 |
| Egg Bowl with onions, peppers, hashbrowns, bacon and cheese |
- You're need little sandwich (or snack) sized bags to fill with your favorite fillings. (I give a bunch of ideas below)
- Tuck all the little bags inside one big labeled FREEZER bag and then put them right in the front of your freezer for easy a.m. access.
- In the morning, pop the baggie in the microwave for 30 seconds to break it apart.
- Pour your fillings in a microwave safe bowl*, add an egg or two and stir. Put it in the microwave for 1.5-2 minutes, stirring/whisking with a fork every 30-40 seconds.
- ENJOY!!
*My husband likes to pan cook them. He warms a tiny cast iron pan, tosses in the fillings, adds two eggs and mixes it up right in the pan. It still just takes a couple minutes cooking everything up!
 |
| Egg Bowl filling after 30 seconds in the microwave |
So, how do you prep the fillings? Before you decide what fillings to use, consider these tips:
- Cut up your bacon into 1/2" chunks before cooking to speed up cooking. Save some grease for tips 2 & 3.
- Onions taste better cooked (at least in omelets). So, if you're cooking diced onions up for something else, make a few extra. Otherwise, dice them up, and saute them in butter, oil or BACON GREASE from step 1! Oh yea.
- Mushrooms are also better cooked before freezing, so you can toss them in after your onions or cook them seperate. Make sure they aren't all piled up in your pan, keep them in a single layer, otherwise they won't get all browned and yummy.
- Peppers freeze well, but if you prefer them cooked, toss them in with the onions. They are too wet to be cooked with mushrooms.
- I used a bag of frozen hashbrowns. But, if you have leftover baked potatoes, then use them instead!
- Buy extra eggs to have on hand. You don't want to add them to the freezer bags, but you'll want to have enough eggs in your fridge to make some omelets for a few days.
 |
| Egg Bowl ready to be whisked and cooked in the microwave |
Freezer Friendly Filling ideas:
- Onions
- Peppers
- Mushrooms
- Bacon
- Sausage
- Cheddar Cheese (or any other favorite shredded cheese)**
- Spinach
- Black Olives
- Feta Cheese**
- hash browns
- salt & pepper
- hot sauce
- Black Beans
- Corn
- Cubed Ham
Non-frozen topping ideas
- Diced Tomatoes
- Avocados
- Sour Cream
- Salsa/Taco Sauce
- ketchup
I'm a HUGE taco fan, so putting my favorite taco toppings together is delicious. Also, what is your favorite omelet combo? Ham & Cheese? Mushroom Swiss? Throw it together and then...LABEL!
 |
| Bag of baggies in my freezer, ready to go! |
Assembly (Harness your inner Henry Ford here)
- Line up a bunch of small baggies along your counter.
- Get a tablespoon (just grab one from your drawer).
- DON'T Measure -- estimate!
- Go down the line and add a scoop of your first ingredient into ALL the baggies.
- Now, take your second ingredient. Do you like it as much? Add the same amount. Like it less? Add less. More? Guess what...add more. Add them ALL the way down your Henry Ford assembly line.
- Keep going until all your ingredients are added. My goal is about 1/3-1/2 cup of fillings for each baggie. But this is your gig...go for what will fill your craving in the morning.
- Press the air out of each baggie, tuck them into a labeled freezer bag (quart or freezer)
- Throw it in the freezer
- Pat yourself on the back.
Use a ballpoint pen or sharpie and label your bags! Don't forget to label it with the kind of mix and the date.
**I put my cheese right in the small baggies because if I don't the cheese will get eaten by the teenagers before it makes it into an egg bowl. If you prefer to use it as a topping, then you can put a quart freezer bag full of shredded cheese right next to your mixes in the freezer, so that it doesn't get pilfered into the after-school grilled cheese, or what-not. Whatever you decide, label it clearly--Don't Touch!-- works well. ;-)
Jan 13, 2020
Once-A-Month Cooking: Tips
Well I did it! Month One: Done.
Phew. That was a lot of work, but oh so great! I made over 20 recipes. 14 dinner recipes (most recipes make 2 dinners, some make more) and 6 breakfast recipes (each makes 4-6 breakfasts). I can't wait to share some tips, so if you're thinking about doing this for your family, you can be sure to love it. Some of the meals will either trickle into next month, or be used to bless friends.
Tip 1: Get your family's requests before you grocery shop. Has this ever happened to you: the kids liked spaghetti last week then refuse to eat it after you stock up on it at Costco? grrr...Toddlers aren't the only ones that pull this one. My husband does it to me on a regular basis, too. So, they all got a say in the recipes I make, and don't make. This helps to make sure that the things I make are worth my time and money.
Tip 2: Don't shop on cooking day
Oh my goodness this is so important! Shop 1-4 days BEFORE you cook. Shopping is exhausting and so is cooking, so split them up.
Tip 3: Put your cooking day(s) on your calendar in minimum 4 hour blocks
I'll wait...go ahead and pull out your phone and put in on there.
You can NOT squeeze in cooking between your already scheduled programming. If you could, then your dinners would be on the table on time as it is, and you don't need to bulk cook. So, since you are doing this, set aside the time to be successful. I cooked from noon - 5:00 on Saturday and then after church for 4 hours on Sunday. That's 9 hours to make 30 recipes. It may seem like a long time, but it's really efficient use of your time if you set it aside.
Tip 4: Set aside your budget to make it work. You'll need a bulk of your food budget to make this work. Be prepared, and be creative. Use up those random items in your freezer. Clean it out, see what you can use that's already in your home to save some money. Choose/adjust recipes to create bulk-buying opportunities.
Tip 5: Find a friend and do it together. It may be hard to schedule, but together you can buy more things in bulk. Plus, you will keep each other motivated to get everything completed.
Tip 6: If you can, use your family to help. My kids have been cooking since they were little. So, I put my daughter in charge of breakfast muffins! It was great to have her in the kitchen with me, and she make a 'tower of muffins' that we all will enjoy.
Phew. That was a lot of work, but oh so great! I made over 20 recipes. 14 dinner recipes (most recipes make 2 dinners, some make more) and 6 breakfast recipes (each makes 4-6 breakfasts). I can't wait to share some tips, so if you're thinking about doing this for your family, you can be sure to love it. Some of the meals will either trickle into next month, or be used to bless friends.
Tip 1: Get your family's requests before you grocery shop. Has this ever happened to you: the kids liked spaghetti last week then refuse to eat it after you stock up on it at Costco? grrr...Toddlers aren't the only ones that pull this one. My husband does it to me on a regular basis, too. So, they all got a say in the recipes I make, and don't make. This helps to make sure that the things I make are worth my time and money.
Tip 2: Don't shop on cooking dayOh my goodness this is so important! Shop 1-4 days BEFORE you cook. Shopping is exhausting and so is cooking, so split them up.
Tip 3: Put your cooking day(s) on your calendar in minimum 4 hour blocks I'll wait...go ahead and pull out your phone and put in on there.
You can NOT squeeze in cooking between your already scheduled programming. If you could, then your dinners would be on the table on time as it is, and you don't need to bulk cook. So, since you are doing this, set aside the time to be successful. I cooked from noon - 5:00 on Saturday and then after church for 4 hours on Sunday. That's 9 hours to make 30 recipes. It may seem like a long time, but it's really efficient use of your time if you set it aside.
Tip 4: Set aside your budget to make it work. You'll need a bulk of your food budget to make this work. Be prepared, and be creative. Use up those random items in your freezer. Clean it out, see what you can use that's already in your home to save some money. Choose/adjust recipes to create bulk-buying opportunities. Tip 5: Find a friend and do it together. It may be hard to schedule, but together you can buy more things in bulk. Plus, you will keep each other motivated to get everything completed.
Jan 9, 2020
Bulk Cooking
Once a Month Cooking, Freezer Meals, Bulk Cooking, whatever you want to call it, is back! 'It never was out." You say?! Yea, well....
I was an avid Once A Month cooker for a few years. But kids, moving, diet changes and life got in the way and I didn't set aside the time to do it. It just fizzled away. BUT now, I have TEENagers!! And they like to eat, and cook, so there you go. A perfect combination for getting back on that horse.
There are some great go-to recipes I have used that I can't wait to get back to. Of which I will certainly share with you as we make them.
Today is meal planning. I make a list of Dinner and Breakfast meals I want to make. I've got 15 dinner meals and 8 breakfast. Then from there I'll take each recipe and create a shopping list, adjusting recipes to buy in bulk. Buying in bulk is the best way to be able to purchase enough food at once.
I was an avid Once A Month cooker for a few years. But kids, moving, diet changes and life got in the way and I didn't set aside the time to do it. It just fizzled away. BUT now, I have TEENagers!! And they like to eat, and cook, so there you go. A perfect combination for getting back on that horse.
There are some great go-to recipes I have used that I can't wait to get back to. Of which I will certainly share with you as we make them.
Today is meal planning. I make a list of Dinner and Breakfast meals I want to make. I've got 15 dinner meals and 8 breakfast. Then from there I'll take each recipe and create a shopping list, adjusting recipes to buy in bulk. Buying in bulk is the best way to be able to purchase enough food at once.
January 2020
Once A Month Cooking Menu
Dinner
- Sesame Honey Chicken Lettuce Cups, Rice
- Lasagna
- Venison Chili & Corn Bread
- Cilantro Lime Chicken
- Loaded Potato Soup
- Chicken Enchiladas
- Sweet & Tender BBQ Ribs
- Taco Meat - Ground Turkey
- Shredded Pork Sandwiches
- Pork Roast
- Spaghetti Sauce
- Venison Stew
- Turkey Meatloaf
- Lamb Meatballs (½ Lamb, ½ Turkey) in Tomato Sauce
- Lamb gyros
Breakfast
- Egg Cups
- Banana Bread
- Zucchini Bread
- Pumpkin Bread
- Rice Pudding Cups
- Oatmeal Cups
Make-A-Mix by Karin Eliason, Nevada Harward, & Madeline Westover is a great resource. This book is packed full of mixes you make up yourself in bulk to save time, and money. From a Quick Mix that works like Jiffy Mix, to meat mixes, salad dressing mixes, and so much more you will find so many you'll love!
Jan 8, 2020
Don't stop trying new things!
This year marks my 10th year homeschooling. My oldest daughter is in 10th grade. Good thing I haven't aged at all.. har har
There have been many, many lessons I have learned during these past 10 years trying to teach my children. I just have to say, that I was NOT supposed to be the one learning here. But, as we all know about how God works with us, here I am all the richer and wiser about homeschooling. Instead of making a novel-style blog post about them all, I'm going to peel them back one at a time for you.
If a new fun idea only lasts a few days, that's okay! Don't stop trying new things. Your kids are worth the effort!! I have tried so so many different things over the years, that I can't even begin to remember them all. This process of trying has taken me farther away from my public school vision into something so different that I could never imagined it at the beginning. I'm so blessed by these past 10 years.
There are times that my kids aren't doing their school because they simply would rather play, or do just about anything else. But, I've learned that I need to step back and see that sometimes the defiance is because something just isn't working. It can be hard, but I try not to take it personally.
Each year I have it all planned out perfectly from the beginning of the year! I've spent hours and hours making everything ready so that our school year goes smoothly. Then, when something needs to be adjusted, I stand there like a sentinel refusing to budge. I'll refuse for a while because I need to make sure that it's not the sinful nature of my children that is requiring me to scrap hours worth of work, but the need of something different to reach them.
Each year, when this happens (because there's never a year without a creative adjustment) I suck up my pride, and learn that God had a creative idea waiting for me in the wings. When I stop fighting, I realize that His idea is WAAAAY better than refusing to budge. Sometimes I have to start over on a curriculum, but most of the time I just need to get creative with how I'm presenting it, or what I'm expecting of them.
Some of the things I've tried:
Changing curriculum part way through the year:
I have adjusted curriculum in the middle of the year, but by no means am I a curriculum jumper! I have friends that try one after another, after another. If that works for them, or you, then great. Sorry, but I don't buy into it. I do my research, buy what I think is best for our family. Then, allow myself a bit of freedom with deciding that it's not working after giving it a good (3-4 month) try.
During the years I have changed things up here and there. Allowing the kids the option of saying 'no' when they are seriously fighting my choice of curriculum has really helped us in the long run. For example, we had a grammar curriculum that we were using, and it caused tears. Lots of tears. Finally in my frustration I walked away, again. A couple hours later, God spoke to me. 'Give it up. Let it go. It's okay.' So after I prayed about it, I went to my daughter and asked her, 'What if we try something different?' She was so excited! She helped me pick the next one (at 8 years old, I gave her 2 new options to pick from). Giving her that control was helpful for us both.
My rule when we change is that they can NOT change again until we are done that year. The kids find that it's frustrating trying to get a new curriculum one up and running. And we have found ones that work for us, so we haven't had to do this in a couple years.
Changing the Presentation:
I'm not one to sit down with my kids for hours at a time to present them all their school material. I've tried, but the feeling is mutual. I limit my teaching time for all of our sanities. Any time I can get a video, book, quizlet, etc. to help me present the material, they are much happier. It sounds backwards, doesn't it?
"Aren't YOU supposed to be the one teaching them?" my nagging inner child asks. I am. *sticking out my tongue like a petulant child* But, my kids get tired of me talking. And frankly, I get tired of hearing myself. So, I've found you tube videos, websites, etc. to help.
Apologia has prerecorded classes that don't cost too much that we have used. Shormann Math has saved the day after RightStart was over.
Recently I have recorded myself giving my kids their history discussion and then sent them the video. Ha! Take that argumentative son. Try to argue with a recording! It works!! He can pause it, but I don't have to repeat every stinking sentence because he's too busy screwing around instead of taking notes.
When the kids were young, I've shown up as the character we're learning about. What that means is I put a piece of batting on my head like a wig and became George Washington. I donned a silly voice for a minute or two. It didn't last long, but the kids got a kick out of it.
Changing up the setting:
I routinely rearrange their school room
move their desk to a different part of the house
create a new space, or designated space for a kid or subject
purchase/make a special something (new lamp, desk chair, notebook, pillow, fun pencil, just about anything that connects to your child) for their school area
Thinking outside the box:
Figure out what YOU think school looks like, and then do the opposite. Remove the school desks, blackboard, and flag in the corner.
Cover the dining table with a sheet and do school in a spaceship
Sing songs to remember things
Draw pictures to remember things
Create fun 'subjects' that they already love to do (cooking, play-doh, legos, etc.)
Play games!! Lots of games. You can teach ANY subject using games. It doesn't even have to be 'school games'. Pull out SORRY, Querkle, or UNO.
Try the fun/interesting curriculum. Don't ever buy curriculum because 'that's how I learned it, and it makes sense to me.' You're NOT the one learning it, your kids are!! Research, and borrow/buy curriculum that makes sense in the long run. It's a marathon, not a race. Let those fun curriculums shine and learn with your kids!
Let an energetic child take 30 minute outside breaks
Bring club activities into school (4H, Cub Scouts/Boy Scouts, Civil Air Patrol, etc.)
What creative things have you used in your school?
-Rebecca
There have been many, many lessons I have learned during these past 10 years trying to teach my children. I just have to say, that I was NOT supposed to be the one learning here. But, as we all know about how God works with us, here I am all the richer and wiser about homeschooling. Instead of making a novel-style blog post about them all, I'm going to peel them back one at a time for you.
So my first lesson I'll share with you: Don't stop trying new things!
If a new fun idea only lasts a few days, that's okay! Don't stop trying new things. Your kids are worth the effort!! I have tried so so many different things over the years, that I can't even begin to remember them all. This process of trying has taken me farther away from my public school vision into something so different that I could never imagined it at the beginning. I'm so blessed by these past 10 years.
There are times that my kids aren't doing their school because they simply would rather play, or do just about anything else. But, I've learned that I need to step back and see that sometimes the defiance is because something just isn't working. It can be hard, but I try not to take it personally.
Each year I have it all planned out perfectly from the beginning of the year! I've spent hours and hours making everything ready so that our school year goes smoothly. Then, when something needs to be adjusted, I stand there like a sentinel refusing to budge. I'll refuse for a while because I need to make sure that it's not the sinful nature of my children that is requiring me to scrap hours worth of work, but the need of something different to reach them.
Each year, when this happens (because there's never a year without a creative adjustment) I suck up my pride, and learn that God had a creative idea waiting for me in the wings. When I stop fighting, I realize that His idea is WAAAAY better than refusing to budge. Sometimes I have to start over on a curriculum, but most of the time I just need to get creative with how I'm presenting it, or what I'm expecting of them.
Some of the things I've tried:
Changing curriculum part way through the year:
I have adjusted curriculum in the middle of the year, but by no means am I a curriculum jumper! I have friends that try one after another, after another. If that works for them, or you, then great. Sorry, but I don't buy into it. I do my research, buy what I think is best for our family. Then, allow myself a bit of freedom with deciding that it's not working after giving it a good (3-4 month) try.
During the years I have changed things up here and there. Allowing the kids the option of saying 'no' when they are seriously fighting my choice of curriculum has really helped us in the long run. For example, we had a grammar curriculum that we were using, and it caused tears. Lots of tears. Finally in my frustration I walked away, again. A couple hours later, God spoke to me. 'Give it up. Let it go. It's okay.' So after I prayed about it, I went to my daughter and asked her, 'What if we try something different?' She was so excited! She helped me pick the next one (at 8 years old, I gave her 2 new options to pick from). Giving her that control was helpful for us both.
My rule when we change is that they can NOT change again until we are done that year. The kids find that it's frustrating trying to get a new curriculum one up and running. And we have found ones that work for us, so we haven't had to do this in a couple years.
Changing the Presentation:
I'm not one to sit down with my kids for hours at a time to present them all their school material. I've tried, but the feeling is mutual. I limit my teaching time for all of our sanities. Any time I can get a video, book, quizlet, etc. to help me present the material, they are much happier. It sounds backwards, doesn't it?
"Aren't YOU supposed to be the one teaching them?" my nagging inner child asks. I am. *sticking out my tongue like a petulant child* But, my kids get tired of me talking. And frankly, I get tired of hearing myself. So, I've found you tube videos, websites, etc. to help.
Apologia has prerecorded classes that don't cost too much that we have used. Shormann Math has saved the day after RightStart was over.
Recently I have recorded myself giving my kids their history discussion and then sent them the video. Ha! Take that argumentative son. Try to argue with a recording! It works!! He can pause it, but I don't have to repeat every stinking sentence because he's too busy screwing around instead of taking notes.
When the kids were young, I've shown up as the character we're learning about. What that means is I put a piece of batting on my head like a wig and became George Washington. I donned a silly voice for a minute or two. It didn't last long, but the kids got a kick out of it.
Changing up the setting:
I routinely rearrange their school room
move their desk to a different part of the house
create a new space, or designated space for a kid or subject
purchase/make a special something (new lamp, desk chair, notebook, pillow, fun pencil, just about anything that connects to your child) for their school area
Thinking outside the box:
Figure out what YOU think school looks like, and then do the opposite. Remove the school desks, blackboard, and flag in the corner.
Cover the dining table with a sheet and do school in a spaceship
Sing songs to remember things
Draw pictures to remember things
Create fun 'subjects' that they already love to do (cooking, play-doh, legos, etc.)
Play games!! Lots of games. You can teach ANY subject using games. It doesn't even have to be 'school games'. Pull out SORRY, Querkle, or UNO.
Try the fun/interesting curriculum. Don't ever buy curriculum because 'that's how I learned it, and it makes sense to me.' You're NOT the one learning it, your kids are!! Research, and borrow/buy curriculum that makes sense in the long run. It's a marathon, not a race. Let those fun curriculums shine and learn with your kids!
Let an energetic child take 30 minute outside breaks
Bring club activities into school (4H, Cub Scouts/Boy Scouts, Civil Air Patrol, etc.)
What creative things have you used in your school?
-Rebecca
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