Natural Candy Store Giveaway

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Our Daily Routine

We are about five weeks into our 2012/2013 school year and are still trying to establish a routine. Mostly because for the last three weeks we have always added something else to our schedule.  The first week included our first co-op meeting. The second week included our first day at CC and the third included the first Cub Scout meeting.

Adding one thing a week may not sound like much, but I have "issues" with change... but that's a whole 'nother post in itself. :)

So before I get to our homeschooling routine, here's a list of what we do outside of the home on a regular basis:

• weekly CC classes
• every other week co-op classes
• two boys in Cub Scouts
• Bible classes
• counseling sessions 1-2 times/month (another post)
• 1-3 field trips/month
• of course errands and grocery day, too... gotta feed these boys!
• adding soon: swim lessons
• starting in October: Nicely Bright classes 1-2/month

Now for our at-home daily routine... which we are still working the kinks out of, mind you. :)

5:45am make Jeff bfast
6:20am boys start waking up

7:30am boys eat bfast
            chores/get dressed
            exercise
            table work (Bible, grammar, spelling, reading lessons, minute math, etc)

10:30am I start making lunch while they finish up
11:00 - 12:15 Lunch Break

12:15pm CC Memory Work / Notebooking
               Math - Witt and Nathan

1:30pm Witt and Nathan rest/nap time
             Will gets 30 mins computer game time

2:00pm Nathan 30 mins computer game time
             Math - Will

2:45pm Witt 30 mins computer game time


4:00pm Afternoon chores (run through the morning chores again)
4:30pm Start making supper

8:00-8:30pm Bedtime


The times are NOT set in stone.  We still have flexibility for things that take more or less time, but it's a pretty good rough estimate. 

How do you help your day run smoothly?

Minute Math

Although my boys are VERY good at math, the timed practice pages kinda throw them for a loop (especially Will).

We started out just timing how long it took to finish the practice page and graphed the time.  The idea being that if we used the time would go down and we could see that graphically as positive reinforcement.  

Well, let me just say that didn't work. Sometime it would take 2 minutes, other days it could take 7 or more!

Then I saw this video and it just clicked! Minute Math!

Decrease the number of practice problems and give them 1 minute to finish. If they don't finish in a minute, they redo the same set the next day.  Easy Peasy! :)

You can print a copy of her Multiplication board at Teaching Resources.

I took it a little further so I could include all three of my boys who are on different math levels.  I created 5  pages in Excel that were similar to hers for the abacus, Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division. Then I just slide the printed sheet into a page protector and the boys use dry erase markers. 

Here's our take on Minute Math:

... Set timer for 1 Minute...

Finishing up Minute Math:

I've got to say that this has made a HUGE difference in our math practice. Since they know it's only 1 MINUTE long, there is no more whining and moaning before we get started!  (although there is some afterwards as shown in the video. LOL!)



We use RightStart Math, which utilizes the AL abacus.  The example abacus page (shown below) requires you to color in the abacus "beads" with a dry erase marker. To reduce counting and encourage visualizing groups, use one color for the first 5 beads and then change to a second color for the second five (see my video for example).




Those are the math drills that work for us!





This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday

TRUE STORY

Preface: I like to get the mail. It's my 1 minute of peace & quiet in the day filled with sunshine, a breeze if I'm lucky, and hopefully some goodies in the mailbox. Jeff learned early on that I like to open my own mail... especially boxes with my name on it!  Strange, maybe, but true. :)

Last month, the boys and I spent the day with our homeschool co-op. Jeff was already home when we returned.  I unloaded the backpacks from the truck and sent the boys inside.  Then I went to check the mailbox... NOTHING. :(

So I go inside the house and head for the refuge of my bedroom (after being cooped up in a vehicle with all three boys).

Guess what I found.  Just guess. I dare you.

A Young Living BOX addressed to ME on my dresser. OPENED!!!!

Gasp.

Couldn't believe it.

Jeff opened my box! That dirty scoundrel! ;)

So I head back to the kitchen to find my beloved and tell him that he should be spanked. oh yes, I did.

He looks confused and asks, "Why?"

I act terribly disappointed and try not to laugh, "Because you OPENED my Young Living BOX and rifled through it!!"

His answer???

Oh, it's a good one.

So good I had to write a whole post about it. :)

Here goes:

"I NEEDED some Peace & Calming 

and 

I knew it was SOMEWHERE in that box!" 

LOL!  He was willing to face the wrath of his wife over some Peace & Calming Essential Oils.

Yes. It's that good, folks!  :)


If ordering, please use my Referral Number: 1296503
Young Living's Peace & Calming Essential Oil

New Tiger in the House!