Independent study

I came across these pictures of what worked well for us in the beginning, when I was trying to transition T1 into independent study. There were a few key components that helped keep him on task and gave him structure.

Daily List
First was his daily school work list. I made this (it's on the left of the calendar) and laminated it using contact paper from Walmart. The list read from top to bottom (Math flashcards, Calculadder, Explode the Code, Handwriting, Reading) In front of each task there was a large box. In each of the boxes I put a sticky velcro patch. Then I covered some square stickers that fit in the boxes with contact paper. I think I put them on some heavy paper first, then cut them out and covered them with contact paper. You want them to be somewhat sturdy as they get a good deal of use. Lastly, each sticker gets a sticky velcro on the back. I had 5 stickers, so I put 5 velcro tabs on the bottom of the list. This is where the stickers start out. As he finishes each daily task, he takes a sticker and crosses off the task. It's very plain to him when he is done. And he feels a sense of accomplishment.



Monthly Calendar
The second component is the monthly calendar. I make one for him with special family birthdays or garbage day, etc. I always put his full name on it so he would learn how to spell it. When he finished his daily list of things to do, then he was allowed to put a star on the day to show he was done. He always loved this part. He loved to look at what he had done, or be able to see that it was 'almost the weekend'.

This system worked so well for us, it kept him schooling right through a new baby in the house. I could just say, "Do your schoolwork" and he knew what that meant.

Little Pear: Big fun for little ones

This is a great book to use as a read aloud for a young child (4-8). I have been reading a chapter (or two) a day to T2 as part of our school time. It has sweet pictures on every spread which helps to hold interest and add fun. Little Pear is a 5 year old Chinese boy. In this book we experience everyday life in China from this little boy's perspective.

The beauty of this book is that it can hold a very young child's attention while still being interesting to an older child or even an adult. I love reading this book. And my oldest is drawn into the story as well. This could be a young child's first chapter book. It's an enjoyable practice to take time to savor a book. Not to read it all in one sitting. (We use post-it notes as bookmarks.) It's nice to sit down and say, "I wonder what will happen to Little Pear today?!"

Here is Little Pear with his friend Big Head. (love the name!)

Little Pear was written by Eleanor Frances Lattimore. She was an American citizen born and raised in Shanghai. Check it out from your local library.

Picking up peas

My daughter had been eating peas in a bowl. She was standing on a chair at the dining room table. Occasionally she would drop some and look over at me, nod and say "mess". I had to go outside for a few minutes, leaving her alone.

When I returned this is what I found on the dining room floor.

She had gotten a clean washcloth out of the drawer and cleaned up her "mess".

Organizing bookshelves

How do you organize your books?

I would really like to know.

We moved awhile back and having to unpack all of the boxes of books was a brain twister for me. I couldn't figure out where to put what. We have 4 bookcases, and I would like to get another one. There are a lot of possibilities.

When we moved, I searched the internet for a website or blog that would share how one homeschooling mom out there had masterfully organized her library. I didn't find her. I'm sure she and possibly others like her do exist but where?

Where are you?

As you can see I don't have the most tidy bookshelf but we really do love our books. My main concern was that since there are numerous bookshelves sprinkled throughout the house, I wanted to organize them so they would be useful without experiencing the 'lost book syndrome'. I will often come across a book and think, "Oh!! I forgot about that book! That would have been perfect for so and so back when we were reading such and such."



See the paper taped to the right of the bookshelf? This is the list I came up with to at least get my books out of boxes and on a shelf.


Library categories:

• Homeschool books for parents
• Parenting books
• Pregnancy
• Health
• Garden
• Bible
• Language Arts
• Copywork
• Phonics and Early Reading
• Spelling
• Vocabulary
• Writing
• Literature
• Math
• History
• Science
• Nature Study
• Music
• Art
• Christian books (biographies, etc)
• Audio
• Photo Albums
• Picture books (preschool)

Feel free to share what works for you. In fact, please do!

The big picture

My parents brought up a rocking chair from their attic. This is a sweet little wooden chair that my siblings and I rocked in as children. Now my children "rock rock" as my daughter says.

Today T1 was sitting in this chair with his sister on his lap. I overheard him say to her, "This chair has to go through at least two more generations."

When I asked him what he meant he said, "My children and my grandchildren."

I'd say he gets it.