Finding a System That Works For Us

It seems like I'm constantly rearranging, restructuring, and changing things with the girls schooling to try and find something that fits all of their personalities well enough. Last year I tried at least 5 different ways of doing our school work, some of which included

~pulling books out each time we needed them (something was always "forgotten")

~giving each girl a special spot for their work (the world practically ended when someone couldn't get to their special spot quickly enough - huge pain for me)

~work boxes (I even talked The Boy into buying these special drawers for it, because I was sure it would work, ummm huge fail! I never managed to get their work in the drawers daily, and putting a weeks worth in each drawer was stressful for the girls)

Then I decided that I would make packets like I had in school. My godfather is a teacher, and he makes packets for the kids to work out of. They have a set number to days to complete each packet, and they know as soon as they are done with packet A, they can move right on to packet B. Yay for being ahead!

During the back to school sales when 3 prong folders are a penny each I stocked up, and ended up with only 3 left. Our school periods are broken down into learning periods, which run anywhere from 15-20 days. Each learning period gets it's own folder. I just write on the front of each folder the students name, and the learning period it's for. One key thing is that I choose to have all of their folders match for each learning period, so learning period one they're all red, learning period two everyone gets yellow, and so on. This makes it so that I can glance at what they are doing, and be able to tell immediately if they are ahead, behind or right on track.

Inside the folders they have a cover sheet that has all of their assignments for the entire learning period. After that we have reading logs, I like to keep these up front since we use them so often. Next we divide their work into a daily amount, and each day gets a check list as it's first page. The girls really like being able to have a visual of crossing their work off as they accomplish it. I like that there's no forgetting the easily missed things such as physical education or art. We always do those things, but we often forget to track it.

We made a few changes to our curriculum to meet the needs of some of my eager beavers who need a little more work, and this made the folders too small for our needs. Of course I don't realize this until I buy thirty or so of them. I jump on Amazon.com and start looking for ways that I can bind the work together. I remembered having a binding machine at my Godfather's school, but I wasn't sure we'd even be able to find one in our price range. A few searches later and I round up the Fellow Star Binding Machine. IT IS AWESOME!

A dear homeschooling friend who is also in the same boat as I am, with too many, too small folders, and I agree to split the cost of purchasing the binding machine. (insert happy dance!!) For just about $45 I'm able to get the machine, and the coils. Then I used the front and back of the folders (cutting out the middle piece with the prongs) for the covers. Score for using what we've got on hand! I'm in love! IN LOVE!!

It's fantastic, but it does take some time to get your system down. The good thing is that I have plenty of practice with 3 students. :)

A moment captured, a memory made.

A - Z blogging challenge - K

K is for...

Kids!

We are a house full of kids, and at times it's crazy, insane, absolutely wild here. Seriously this morning alone I had to remind Spunky Girl that it's not okay to walk outside naked. That most people don't wear pajamas all day and please don't stand on the counter.

Nanners is learning to cook. Pancakes seemed to be quite easy to start with and she has just about mastered it. This morning she melted a whole in the only measuring cup that we have left. I suppose it's not really a learning experience unless something starts on fire, lol.

Baby Big Girl thought that cupcakes would be the perfect breakfast. 8 of them to be exact. While I personally agree with her (and secretly stuffed 2 in my mouth when she wasn't looking) the Mommy in me had to tell those big hazel eyes that she couldn't have them. Don't worry though she was quickly distracted by the pretty new shirt Mommy bought her.

Did I mention that all this happened before 9am? No freaking wonder I'm exhausted by bed time!

A - Z blogging challenge - J

J is for...

Just mind your own business!

Sometimes in life you might come across some good hearted, even annoying soul that insist to you that they know just exactly how to raise your children. Yep, you read that right, your children. Now when these types of things happened five or ten years ago, I promptly went into hyper-defensive mode loudly declaring that I knew what was best for my child and I wouldn't take other people's advice into consideration, especially that of someone who clearly was just trying to make my life hard. Fast forward a few kids, and many days, I'm now more likely to respectfully remind you that they are my children, and after a discussion with their Dad I may or may not take what you are advising into consideration. Here's when things get ugly though. DON'T EVER assume that it's okay to snatch a toy from my child. DON'T EVER assume that I don't see what your doing. DON'T EVER assume that your opinion will even be tolerated, let alone respectfully so after I witness you snatching the toy from my child's tiny little hand, and then topping it off with a heaping spoonful of "SHHHHHHHHH, BE Quiet!". Now I understand that you're older. I understand that you obviously have the opinion that children should be seen and not heard. Here are a few things I need you to understand: I am their mother. You are not their mother, grandmother, friend or anything of that matter. It's not okay to correct my child when their Dad and I are clearly sitting within arms reach. It's not okay to EVER snatch something from the tiny hand of my child. And for the record I would like you to

JUST MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!