Finally did some nature study-what is in the box you ask?

When we went to have my dd's wisdom teeth evaluated, we found oodles of these pods laying about under a tree that I didn't recognize.  So to keep the boy busy I had him gather some up (that translates to him not picking up the ones already on the ground-like every good boy he jumped and jumped and tried to gather from the largest tree all those pods that were way up there. Well at least he got rid of some of his ya-yas before we went into the appt.).  Later in the week, I put them in a shoebox workbox with the tree identifying book, some paper, a pencil, tweezers, a magnifier and a container.  The goal?  To open those babies up and examine the seeds, count them, average them and to just kinda explore these crazy pods.

We figure it is a Honeylocust (thornless version) since it fit the description to a T, was used as landscaping for that building and such.  He enjoyed the task.  Well, say for the beetle that popped out of a pod.  He jumped a bit since he wasn't expecting it and that little beetle took a swim into the depths of the sewer line (aka: it was flushed).  Oh and the biggest pod held 26 seeds!  We have them saved and will disperse them about hoping the birds/animals eat and distribute them later via the natural way (since they do germinate better when they go thru a critters system).  I didn't have him record or draw them this time-since we were running behind on other activities but I truly don't feel we need to journal/data entry/draw every. single. thing. we do in nature study. But I am a rebel like that.

Hopefully, we'll have a few of the Honeylocust trees in our neighborhood (in a few years) and maybe next time I will be a better NS instructor and request a notation in his nature study book-or maybe not.

Science: Apologia Land Animals Activity

We are currently studying the Apologia Land Animals of the Fifth Day as a part of our Heart of Dakota Creation to Christ study and I decided to make this activity to go along with the animals study.

Land Animals/Continents Match

*most animal images from National Geographic Stock Images

I simply made copies of each continent [from my Montessori collection of maps], added the title of it, glued them onto a reg. sized piece of card stock and then laminated them. I used a couple online sites (I think National Geographic** site has the best pics) and copy/pasted them to a MS Word document, shrunk them in size then copied them off.  Cut them out, placed a number on the back and then I will created a master list where the name of the critter matches the number and what continent(s) it can be mostly found on.  I went by the names found in the study and added a few extras when I saw that they also came from that continent.  I still have a few more to find but it is a good start.

The boy can then take this out-lay the correct critters on the correct continent and then I can check the work after.  This is the basic activity.  Some animals go on multiple continents so I need to do one of two things: make copies of those so each will have their own, or have him focus on one or two continents per time (and hopefully ones that don't have shared animals. Otherwise, I guess he can put the pic between the two continent cards).

The more difficult level of the activity (which can be done separately) is to have him put the animals under each order or species group, etc.  I simply went thru the material covered in the Apologia study to get these names. I typed/printed/glued to cardstock and laminated them in order to create this activity.  He'll have to do this several times before it become 'easy' for him but it is a way to reinforce the material (and esp. so because he is a hands-on learner).  I can also break it down into sub-groups like the study does to simplify it a tad as well.

 This is the chart found in the section on primates.  I can also have him pull all the primate pics and place them into their correct categories too.

I am only missing a few titles that I still need to type up/print/glue on and laminate.  But again-this is a good start and will keep him plenty busy.  I store these in three Ziplock bags (one big one for all of it, 2 smaller ones hold the pics and the titles).

**side note here-Nat'l Geographic allows you to upload and use pics for your personal use. Check the royalty free section of the stock photos. Therefore, I cannot share this 'work' for you to download. You'll have to go there yourself and create your own material.

World Geography Board

For those of you who are familiar with this blog-I am sure you remember the posts about the States Geo Board (pictured on the left).  If you are new, you can catch up on those posts here. Anyway, we completed the states and now I want to focus on a general study of the world continents/countries.  So I had to revamp the board to update it and this is what I came up with.  Most of the right side and left stayed the same, say for some title changes, but the middle took on some new sections.  I have not completed it as of yet, because I still need to make or order a few pieces to go along with it. This will  give you a general idea.

FYI: It is easy to create most of the titles/maps/etc. using your MS Word program to type out what titles you want, then you can use clip art (lots of good ones, including the ones I used to make the continent squares (down by the Flags of the World label). I also have some of the pages available to download, just look thru the previous posts. I will try to get the one with the little continents up soon, but until then you can use your MS Word-they should be there.

World Geography Board

almost complete

As for the compass pieces, well I purchased a year or two ago from a local Dollar Tree store.  I dunno if those are still available, so just keep your eyes open when you cruise thru the store at varying times. Obviously, you can use anything-little sticky notes, another type of bulletin board cutout, etc.-just remember to laminate them so you can use them over and over again! Usually, I will go thru all the stuff in the teacher section at the store, and if one or more of those little bulletin board packages are screaming to me "YOU could use me, I know you can!" then I get it.  I just didn't know what I wanted to do with those things when I bought it.  I tossed it into my "someday" box where they sat until recently when I had an "OH YEAH!" moment and had to dig them out.

This side has minor changes-added the white/blue strip with the compass so we can velcro on the current continent we are studying. Those are stored in the first white pouch above.  The Oceans one has the same squares I noted in other posts, I just need to find my laminated page to put in the holder below.  I want to have the boy review those too (might as well-esp. since the continents and oceans are almost always studied together). Oh, and I found a wee little magnet strip from some other craft thing-so I put it on the bigger maps holder (it had a sticky back) to hold the markers that have a magnet on them.  It is not super strong so the markers fall if it is bumped..but it looks cute :). I will find a stronger one soon and replace it when I can.  I don't have the maps with the long. and lat. noted on them-so that is on my 'to buy' list [hence the reason the pocket is empty].

No change to the right side. In fact-he'll finally have more reasons to use these since we're focusing on longitude and latitude this year.  He can reference those first, then have a general idea of where in the world he has to focus to find those coordinates that [will be] noted on the back of the compasses (which are being stored in an up-cycled holder that was the states flag stickers packaging we used last year for the states study).

The middle section got the most revamping.  I added the new Map Quest area and the holder for the compasses, along with the new strip of white to have the Flags of the World velcro'd to it.  The little white card to the left of it is of the current continent we are studying.  We'll simply switch that out as we progress thru the study.  Of course, have to have a puzzle and this one is a doozy! It is double sided, so the person building it has to figure which side is needed first-ah, love to aggravate the kiddos here with a puzzle like this! LOL  I may also get a flags of the world puzzle too-just depends on our budget this year.

Here is a closer look at the sections with descriptions on it for you.  Enjoy!

Animal Tracks in the workbox?

Yep-tracks fit alright.  So for our HOD Creation to Christ program-we are using Apologia's Creation with Zoology 3 book.  Through the course we will cover various critters and so one project was to keep an Animal Tracks book.  Well HELLO-that is right up our CM loving family.  So I grabbed one of the bound, white books I bought from Bare Books a few years ago, and I am pleased b/cuz it is proving to be a perfect fit for this project.

On top of that-I purposefully avoided using the animal section of the Considering God's Creation program we have been using on and off for the past two years just so I could save it for this study. Perfect again.  The Animal Tracks Match game came from there.  It also has notebooking pages that discuss critters and "after their own kind" and so forth-so when it matches the reading assignments, I tossed that in for interest.  So even though most of the HOD program is the boy and I on the couch with me reading to him-this is one project that can go nicely into the workbox.

 Animal Track Match-just laminated them 

(altho they suggested coloring em but eh)

 I drew the cover-he didn't care and I rather enjoyed doing it

 I also have been putting the verses in-he is certainly capable but I have better handwriting (sometimes and he wanted to focus on the drawing of the prints more)-I will have him do some,
but he prefers lines and more space...so obviously-it is up the child when it comes to this part.

He will first look at the print, draw it in pencil then use the permanent marker to fill it in.

Ultimate Blog Party welcome to my blog

Hi and welcome to my blog, glad you decided to stop by whilst on your  tour.  I am Sheri and I am a Christian, wife, mom and homeschooler. I enjoy scrapbooking, reading lots of book (paper bound more than electronic versions), photography, traveling and nature study.  I maintain 4 blogs all based around subjects that are close to my heart.  This is my blog where I discuss ideas and offer help for ways to use the workboxing system to streamline your school day.

If you are interested you can also visit my other blogs to find out more about
*Homeschooling on a Wing and a Prayer-my main blog where I discuss homeschooling, our daily life and everything in between

I try to keep it real when it comes to sharing our life (we have 4 kids, 3 of which have graduated) while offering hope, ideas and insight.  We are waiting on the Lord to show when and who we are to adopt (internationally) and hopefully soon, we'll be able to share our journey to our little one across the ocean.

Have fun on the blog tour and I hope you'll stop by again soon!  Be sure to leave a comment so I can visit your blog/website too!

Some more advice on workboxes and other homeschool topics

So my friend Heidi and her gang of professionals have started a new website loaded with articles pertaining to all things homeschooling.  One section is all about workboxing, so I thought I would share that link so you can glean even more ideas and helps to make your workboxing experience go as smoothly as possible.

You'll find you will want to spend some time there looking over and reading all these nuggets of goodness....so reserve some time!

Homeschool Mosiacs Wkbx section

Been posting on Heart of Dakota on my other blog in case you are considering it for your child

I have been mainly posting there lately...as we have been trying out a few new things, including the Heart of Dakota Creation to Christ curriculum.  For the workboxes, I still can put math, supplies for projects, HW and such in them but most of the HOD is reading and the books are big-so they have been sitting atop of my big workbox (aka: the coffee table) lately.  Since my son is not a strong reader [working on that using the Phonics Road to Spelling and Reading mixed with a couple other things] I am doing most of the reading which means less goes into the boxes right now.  I am sure I will tweak and figure out a system that best suits using a program like this (unit study/large pre-planned curriculum) with the workboxes-and I will share once I have figured out a good plan.  For now, I am winging it and most of it is just picking up the books off the table.

But if you are considering a new program for your child(ren) and are looking for one that follows Charlotte Mason methods along with using good literature-this may be what you are looking for.  They have all sorts of levels/eras they cover.  We didn't have much for the beginning of time to Christ and I was thrilled to find something that covered that time frame while still using a style we prefer.

Here are the links to read the posts I have done so far.

First HOD post
HOD and Dinosaur study
Third post covering some projects and poetry

Hope it is a blessing and helps some of you out who are considering such a curriculum.

Random workbox ideas from this week

Just a few pictures of what the boy has had so far this week.  We've started back up with science so he has been learning about fish all week....

He worked on water coloring a Renoir picture while I read him his Bible lessons.

These are just some examples of what I tossed in his boxes this week.

Workbox basics in a nutshell Part I

Well no one had any questions so I will just do an "in a nutshell" post on workboxes, just in case you are new to them, and haven't a clue as to what it is or what its purpose it or how one implements it.  If you think of something I didn't mention here-by all means ask.  If you are workboxing (especially if in another country as I would LOVE to know what type of "boxes" you use and how it is working for you) I am thinking of doing a link up so others can find you and your ideas too.  Look for that sometime soon here.

Alrighty then-the Q and A part:

What exactly is this "Workboxing" concept anyway?

Well I can tell you that is not a boxing match while at work-although some days when homeschooling your child(ren) it certainly can feel like you are in a boxing ring, with your gloves on, enduring round after round of grueling punches and hits below the belt.  But that is another post in the making. Seriously though-

Workboxing is a deliberate, organized system that provides the student with just the essential material(s) for each lesson you want them to work on that day.  It literally means their work is in a box (whether it be a drawer, a shoebox, a cardboard box, a basket, a folder and so forth).

OK, so what boxes can be used and what do you suggest?

I have used a few different systems since introducing this family to the concept.  

I used the suggested shoe rack/shoeboxes system Sue Patrick insists on in her book.  It worked just fine for my elementary-aged child and for the most part-if you have space-I do recommend it.  BUT there are some reasons for many that it will not work:

*babies and toddlers who like to dump, explore, mess up and otherwise trash shoeboxes full of such enticing goodies (oh how I love them-but sometimes they are messy little buggers aren't they?  Very curious too) .  Putting the lids on may help reduce the invasions but if they know how to pop those off-forget it.  Being strict and militant about them never touching them may work for some very obedient babies but that would probably require 24/7 observation dedication...not sure many want to live like that.  Keeping the workboxes in a room that can be locked is another idea-but not many folks have that room available.  I suggest another option if you have curious, busy babies and toddlers in your home.

*limited space.  Even tho the suggested shoe rack is about 3 ft long and about a foot and 1/2 wide-not many have that space to spare.  Especially if you have a lot of children using the system.  This can be used but you'd have to do some adjusting such as possibly having 2 kids use one shelf.  The first two shelves for one and the other two for the second child at 6 boxes each.  Or use one or two shelves [one dedicated to the younger group and the second for the upper levels] for just the combined-group activity lessons and use another individual system for the other "more specific to each child" lessons. If no space is available at all-then this obviously won't work for you.  I suggest another option then.

*hate the look of it. Yes, I have heard many claim that.  It is not exactly pretty but it is effective.  Either turn a blind eye to it or find another option that you can stand looking at.

*you live somewhere that does not have the shelving unit or shoeboxes available. Not sure where that would be since most of us can find plastic shoe boxes (although the shelf itself may be hard to come by).  I bought mine at the dollar store and when the name brand stores had sales on them.  I found the shelving unit at Target, but I know Wal-Mart and other stores will have it too. Look in the laundry and organization section of the store.  They are coated metal, have 4 shelves and are sold as "shoe racks" -but I have seen ones that are made of wood too-which is nicer looking.

IKEA Trofast shelving unit with drawers

LOVE, LOVE this one. I had to save up for them and I did not buy it until I was sure, super sure-that we would continue using this system.  I do not recommend you running out and getting this if you are new to this and have no idea if it will work for your family (unless you can use them for something else).  This is a more expensive alternative but is so much nicer-yes, much nicer!  

 the boy now uses 6 drawers of the IKEA unit

the teen uses 6 of the IKEA (and no it is not crooked-there are desks and such in the way so I had to take this on an angle  LOL)

Some reasons it may not work:

*too expensive of an option for you

*no room -again these take up precious floor space

*don't like the look

*no IKEA nearby (you can order the shelves but usually can only buy the drawers at the actual store.  That is when a special trip to a kinda local store, or having a friend get them for you is recommended. ) And yes, I understand IKEA doesn't pay taxes like our companies in the US do-but until another company makes these babies then I am supporting the purchasing of these. I will leave that conundrum up to you.

*babies or toddlers-yes, these pull out right nicely-and they do not have tops (well I didn't see that they do)

*can hold some pretty large items since the boxes are deeper.  But some large, bulky things may not fit-again the use of the holding station may cover those needs.
*if you are using the 12 box system then you would need two units per child-which can take over your house.
*may not like the color choices of the shelves or boxes
*you have to assemble these-and that is time consuming (but oh so worth it)

File folders in a binder or used with a holder

I used these with my teen when we first started out. She was too old for the shoebox/rack set up and so I bought some good quality folders that opened from the top (at Office Max I believe, but you can find them at most office supply stores) and were somewhat expandable.  I then bought a table top plastic holder for files and just put velcro on the outside for her numbers and slipped in the work for the day.  Bigger item were at the holding station or on her desk for her already.  Some use folders that are in a 3 ring binder.  The only issue with a binder is that you cannot put the bulky must haves in there-so you have to stay on top of their supplies and have them readily available.  I had some room for the smaller items in her folders because they expanded and usually didn't have too many big things to worry about. This worked fine until I was able to get the IKEA shelves.  Large books or materials would not fit in these either.  So this is definitely has its drawbacks and take into consideration the lack of holding power.  A dedicated area for the bigger goodies should be created in order for this option to work for you.

file folder idea (the pocket would hold her instructions for that lesson)

Holding Station idea

Other ideas:

*I have seen people use empty cereal boxes that are covered with contact paper and cut out on the side to gain easy access to the books/materials in them-but this takes up space, so you will need a shelving unit or book shelf that can hold the larger cereal boxes nicely.  May not hold up to constant use.

*Some use cardboard boxes they had laying around of various sizes-again, these require shelf space that can accommodate their sizes. May not hold up to constant use.

*Totes with dividers [like the hanging folder totes that are plastic and have a lid that flips up or literally a tote that you make dividers for].  These usually have lids (great if you have those babies and toddlers we love) and they can hold a lot.  You can add in bulky stuff because the depth of it will allow for some of it but it may not be able to hold all your bigger items.  Good option because these can be stacked when not in use, but they too take up floor space.

*Wall hanging unit (I have a pic of an example on the side bar of this blog) that is suppose to be used for books (in a classroom or library). You will need to spend to get a good quality one that will withstand the use of pulling out and putting material back in over and over.  Great option for floor challenged folks who have a lot of wall space.  Limited to non-bulky items and such.  Will need another area for bulky item storage.

*I am sure I missed some other clever ideas for workboxes but this gives you an idea of options.

What goes into a box? And how many boxes per child?

That is up to you and what the lesson requires [for both questions].  The most important parts can be the components needed to do something-like a pencil and ruler for their math lesson.  Isn't it strange how a whole houseful of pencils can seemingly disappear moments before you ask them to start their lesson?  Well-now they cannot pull that "I have to look for a ...." anymore, because it is already provided for them in the box with the lesson (usually older students do not need to have this done-unless they tend to fall into the category mentioned above. For example: my teen does not have to have pencils put into her boxes unless they are some specialty pencils/pens that normally she wouldn't know where to go to find them).  

I have lots of posts that show some things we have done.  But for a quick idea:  say you are covering a science lesson where they need to read a particular book so you pop that book into the box possibly with a note stating what pages to they need to read [if they can read independently]. Let's also say they need to do an experiment so you add in the supplies needed (and perhaps some instructions).  It is that simple.  

As for how many boxes, well Sue says 12 but I have yet to truly need 12 boxes.  I usually do 6 for each child and then if we have some group things I just have that stuff ready on my desk.  Rarely did I ever go past 8 or 9.  The goal (in my humble opinion) is not to cram a child with unnecessary twaddle or with "just to keep em busy" activities. We do not do every subject every day (but math and reading) so I can alternate the boxes so we don't need so many.  This is a whole 'nother post...but you should get the idea.  

What about the big, bulky things that won't fit into a folder or regular sized shoebox?

There are some easy solutions for that.  Either buy a couple larger totes (I have a post somewhere showing this) and delete 2 shoeboxes on that shelf for the day, or use another area to hold them for your student.  I have some holding station cards you can print up to help with this.  Just pop the notice into their reg. box and then they go to the holding station to get it.  Others slip the bigger books and such underneath the shoebox so it won't bend.  That can work for skinny books but the thicker ones can make it so the box will hardly pull out from the shelf (this is using the original shoebox on a shoe holding rack set up).  

How long does it take to "load" these workboxes?

Again, that is a personal thing because it will depend on a few things:

*how many children you have using them

*the supplies and necessities needed for each lesson

*how organized you are

*if you are able to work uninterrupted for enough time to actually get them loaded (this is a challenge with babies, toddlers and little ones who "need" you [oddly LOL] as you are about to do this. I highly recommend dad or another older child entertains the troops so you can have your time to do this.

*what type of curriculum you are using

*how dedicated you are to the system

*how much caffeine you have had that day

I can usually get two kids' boxes filled within 15-20 minutes (usually less but sometimes it takes longer because I have to hunt down items to add or I get distracted).  It pays to pre-plan a bit (like over a break or on the weekend) so you know what you want to do and what you need (for us, we usually need a library book or some type of item for a science experiment or a movie to go along with the lesson, so I have to do some pre-work to be ready)...but usually as of late-I am winging it.  I have been coming down in the morning and loading them b4 the kids get up.  Sometimes we just do a few things and don't use the boxes-it all depends on what we have going on here and what we need to accomplish.

For those doing one shelf with boxes for just the family group activities then separate folders for individual work, it may take longer or you may be quite speedy and take no time at all.  I can do a more detailed post down the road about how to be and stay organized if you wish.  Those with several children will have to put in more time-but honestly, it is so worth the initial outlay of time to have your day go smoothly and with less distractions from kids "disappearing to find stuff to use with the lesson" and so forth.  It does keep you organized and in better control.  The students will know right away what they have to do that day and what is needed because it is in the box waiting for them.  It is not right for everybody, but for folks like me who like to be organized, and have stuff ready to go...especially with kids who like to know what to expect-it works.  

and that concludes this post.  

Another Neil Armstrong workbox sample

These lapbook components match the chapter we're on.  I added the Klutz book for practice with tying knots (this book is a good one.  I had originally bought it for my oldest son when he was in Boy Scouts and am glad I kept it for my youngest), the map flip book was for him to write out a wee map using directions-so I grabbed the little compass and the compass rose component from the Geography Center [in right-hand corner].

About 3x per week we're doing the Neil Armstrong study.  I am following the Beyond FIAR guide and added in the Homeschool Share lapbook to round out this study. I keep the chapter book and TG on my desk-no sense in putting them in his box, since I read the book to him and obviously, the guide is for my benefit.