Homeschool Workboxes

Things are a little out of whack this week. I will post our Whole30 update tomorrow but I thought I would share this with you today!

During the school year last year I was really struggling with finding a balance between working with both boys simultaneously on joint work, working with each of them individually, and their independent work. A few google searches later I found a potential solution:

  Workboxes! 

Workboxes are actual boxes that their work goes in. I put one assignment or activity in each box. The after we finish our family lessons (mostly our My Father's World curriculum) both boys start on their boxes. They start at box one and work until they have completed all ten boxes. Intermixed within the math assignments and writing journals in the boxes are short little brain breaks and quick, fun, education activities. I make sure that they have any and all supplies that they will need for the day in their supply boxes. Workboxes really set our days up for success. 

 Workboxes also allowed me to better use my time. I would typically put all the little one's "Work with Mom" activities or assignments in the first few boxes. My older one can do most of his book work independently but if there was something he needed my help with I put it towards the last few boxes. This allowed both boys to be productive, to not have to wait on me to do their work, and to give me a breather. 

The tough part of all of this was figuring out what to put in their boxes. 

It took me forever to come up with this list, and so I thought that I would share it with you.  The first few things on the list are the basics, these went into a box everyday or almost everyday.

* Math Lesson

* Grammar Lesson for Ezra

* Explode the Code for Elisha

* Scripture Practice and Memorization

* Spelling Practice

* Book for Reading Time

That was about half the boxes. I knew I didn't want our school day to take forever, and I knew that I wanted to make the workboxes fun and exciting. So the other half of the boxes were filled with the following things: 

• 15 jumping jacks.
• 30 minutes computer time. (Educational games only!)
• Color this. (There are some amazing adult coloring pages for free on the internet, they are really calming for the boys, probably because they are detailed and require focus, without being stressful.)
• Do 10 minutes of stretches.
• Do a maze.
• Explore these books. (I usually gave them several books on topics we were studying with this card.)
• Have a thumb war with someone.
• Illustrate something from our history or bible lesson today.
• Lay down on the couch and practice being still and quiet like a ninja for three minutes.
• Listen to this music and draw what the music makes you feel.
• Listen to this worship music and just soak in the presence of the Lord. Listen for what He may be trying to say to you.
• Logic Puzzles
• Magnetic Robots.
• Make a Monster.
• Pick a few Karate cards and practice your ninja moves.
• Pick out a story and read it to Granny. (We happen to have a Granny that lives with us, if not, you can substitute for a little sibling, or even a stuffed animal.)
• Play fetch with the dogs for 15 minutes.
• Play goldfish with Dad.
• Play Math Detective.
• Play Tenzi.
• Practice saying the books of the Bible using your Bible. Then listen to the Books of Bible song on the iPad.
• Practice your typing skills.
• Ride your scooter outside for ten minutes.
• Spend some time outside and draw or write something in your nature journal.
• Take a ten minute break.
• Tanagrams.
• Use this clay to create something.
• Use this recipe and make something with Mom.
• Walk on the treadmill for twenty minutes.
• Watch one education video on Netflix. (Like Magic School Bus)
• Water the plants.
• Work with flashcards.
• Write a letter to someone.
• Write a poem.

Let me know if there is anything you have thought of that I missed. I am always looking for more great homeschool ideas!