The Monthly Chat

November, 2011

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Printable bits of wisdom, ideas, and reflections for your friends and
homeschool group, from the members of HomeschoolClassifieds.com
Opinions expressed are those of the individual authors.
©1997-2009 HomeschoolClassifieds.com, Knoxville, TN

Marriage & parenting
How to Motivate Your Children

We have a system that we are using for motivation that isn't really new. This system is something that I did years ago with my older children. We call it the ticket system.

Here is how it works. First, you must purchase a roll of tickets like are used for raffles. You can get them at the big superstore on the corner.

Next, you need to have some requirements that you are trying to enforce. Both my boys have a chore list. If the chores are done well, without complaining or dawdling or excessive reminders, they receive one ticket for that day.

Whenever I ask them to do something extra that disrupts their own time they get a ticket. It's important that they understand the ''disrupts their own time'' part. If I call them in from outside to run out the compost, or, if I interrupt their listening to Adventures in Odyssey to set the table, that is worth a ticket. But if they are just hanging around the kitchen and I say, ''Run in the laundry room and get me a jar of tomatoes,'' that is not ticket-worthy.

Other ways to earn tickets include chores that are not on their own list or for doing things without being asked. Yesterday when I got home from picking the 16 year old up from work, the 7 year old had cleaned out the plastics cupboard--without being asked. He got a ticket.

The final rule is that they get no extra tickets if they did not earn the one for their chore list.

Spending the tickets: a movie costs 25 tickets. Playing 1 1/2 hours of GameBoy costs 35 tickets. A trip alone with mom to McDonald's for an ice cream cone costs 5 tickets. A soda out of the 25 cent machine at the grocery costs 2 tickets. And, when I go to my discount grocery store for monthly shopping, 5 tickets gets them $1 worth of snack food.

I plan to continue my ticket system (if need be) as incentive for doing things like memorizing math facts, copywork, or other onerous schoolwork. What about you? How do you motivate your children to get things done?

cjalex

Homeschool helps
10 Things I've Learned in Homeschool

God’s ways are better than my ways

I can trust God for some pretty big decisions

Diligence and consistency has been developed in me

I can break down a big goal and accomplish it in little bites

I’ve learned immeasurably more about the Bible, history and science than my own educational experience

I’ve grown in character through the teaching and nurturing of my child

I’ve learned to believe beyond what I can see

I’ve learned to prioritize

I’ve learned to finish what is important and release the “fluff”

Homeschooling has knit me together with God through learning the beauty of creation, the historical person of Jesus and the history of His church on earth.

sallyc

Homeschool helps
Economic homeschooling

These tough economic times call for innovative ideas when it comes to homeschooling. Often in hard times, the first things to go are such an important part of an integral formation for our children: art, music, drama, physical education, etc. Some thoughts:
1. Ask your library if they are willing to sponsor free art sessions for homeschooled kids. Ours did!
2. Ask your local gymnastics gym to offer classes for homeschoolers at a discounted rate. Since they can run classes earlier in the day (while the rest of the kids are in school), they may be able to offer a tumbling class for a wide range of ages for a great price. Our gym offered classes for $5 for an hour class every week!
3. Find a co-op that offers music lessons in a group session that may be a better price than individual lessons. Though it means a bit of a drive, we are getting a 45 minute piano class for $5 a week!
4. Get your own drama club together and put on plays. Ask around to see if a drama instructor could give a lesson or two to a group of kids for a small fee. Everyone can pitch in to help pay for the fee. We haven't done this one yet -- but may soon look for an opportunity!

ivegot8

Other
ABQ Balloon Fiesta: Unit Study

Albuquerque hosts an International Balloon Fiesta each year beginning the first weekend in October. If you have never attended, it will be hard for you to understand this amazing, awe-inspiring treat. This would be a great trip to take for a unit study covering geography, natural geologic formations and their effect on conditions, culture, science (weather, wind-currents, hot air rises, helium rises, cloth that encloses lighter gases) and math, just to name a few!

The magnificence of the sights and experiences at this event keep local residents as well as travelers from many states and nations coming back year after year.
Check it out at http://www.balloonfiesta.com/ .

Enjoy!

dasnyder78

Homeschool helps
Use the library instead of buying books!

I have recently discovered the ''Parent and Teacher'' section in the library, and found it to be an amazing place to get many of the books I need and save the money I would have spent on purchasing the book. This is a great section for finding great science activity books, as well as books that help you select which kind of curriculum will suit your needs. I also discovered that the librarians will oftentimes give you (as a homeschool teacher) the books on ''teacher'' loan, which is a month instead of two weeks to keep the books. Then when you go to renew the books (online), you get them for another month. If your library allows renewing twice, then you've had that book for 3 full months!

Since we are on a tighter budget this year, I have found the library resources to be such a great blessing!

ivegot8