As the remodeling and reorganizing starts to wind down, I have to go and discover a new system for homeschooling that requires another method of organizing and implementing our studies! Actually, it doesn’t change what we do a lot, except to get us more organized and provide Dana with some visual motivation.
I came across “Sue Patrick’s Workbox System” and thought it just might put the fire and fun back in our studies, so I bought the book and have been working to get it set up. My grandson is excited about it and anxious to start using it, so that is benefit number one.
The physical structure of the system involves the use of 6 to 12 numbered clear shoeboxes to be filled with the day’s curriculum, including “fun” but educational stuff and even snacks. The system is designed to encourage children to work independently as much as possible and to visually encourage and motivate them to complete the day’s activities and studies.
Many people who adopt the system say that they are able to get in all those things they had meant to do but never seemed to get around to before, and that their children are getting more work done quicker than ever with the workboxes.
Since a routine, while hard for my free-wheeling family, might be beneficial but not so easy to implement, this system looks like an easy alternative to a rigid time schedule. Dana is moving into the age when he should be ready for more structured and independent learning and with his AS, providing him with organization and structure is good. He is also a very visual and hands-on boy, so a visual and hands-on system is a natural fit.
I am including file-folder games, educational board games, kits, lapbook making, computer games, and other fun approaches suited to his learning style and learning needs, as well as books to read to him (including texts), videos, learning centers (especially science labs), and his 4-H robotics workbook and building and programming activities. Exercise is also on the schedule with timed running, Wii exercises, and swimming. I am even hoping to use it to encourage more independent reading, which he has gotten away from.
I have been trying to set up the boxes for next Monday (we homeschool year-round with breaks), since that helps me see just how ready I am to begin. It is hard because Dana comes along and begs to go ahead and do some of the things in the boxes now – like the “S’MATH” board game, or even the file-folder math game. (Dana begging to do math!!!??)
We are excited about trying the new system. Now I just need a life-time supply of velcro dots!
I will post photos of our remodeled and rearranged learning area, as soon as the rest of the boxes are emptied, papers sorted, and the hammock swing chair is hung.
Oh I love it!!
My kids love to use the Wii for exercise. I wish that I had the space to use workboxes. I just do not think that I do.
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This has taken me a LOOONG time to respond to – how are you finding the workboxes? They look fantastic! With Adam having AS, SPD, ADHD, and ABCDEFG, etc, – this looks like something that might work for us. I am sick a lot of the time lately, and I need him to become a more independent worker.
Also, how did Dana become interested in Robotics? I bought Adam something for Christmas that may get him interested, I pray.
Okay – I tried, we tried Algodoo – now, Adam LOVED it, BUT would NOT read the directions, and I just did not get it (I know, I am awful!). After the holidays, maybe I can learn a bit more about Algodoo, because it looks terrific, I just need to know WHAT part of school I am covering – I do believe it is physics, though in our state they probably do not know how to SPELL physic, lol!
Velma, thanks for all that you do to make this such a fun and interesting blog.
Maria/AKOL
Maria, robotics was recommended to me by someone who has a boy much like Dana. I showed him info about it and he begged for the Lego RCX one year, so we made the big investment and got it for him for Christmas. He went wild over it. Then we heard that the local 4-H was starting robotics projects in their program, so we bought him the RCX set, which they use. He joined 4-H and got to be in a work group with a homeschool friend and another boy who has Asperger’s. They were each in a different 4-H club, but it didn’t matter. They met once a week at the 4-H office to build and program the activities in the 4-H book. I was concerned that Dana would not be able to get through the judging, but he wanted to do it. They understood about the boy’s problems and judged them together (no parents allowed) and examined their project books. Dana got an A on his project and was very proud. He loves building, inventing, and writing programs for the robots. He will continue to work on the robotics activities next year.
For Algodoo, I reccommend that you start with the free Phun version and try the tutorials first. Then just turn him loose to explore the program. If he is a learn-by-doing guy, like Dana, he will soon be amazing you. Yes, it is physics based. Think of it as exploring science. It is very definitely an engineering type program. In many ways, it is also art, because it is creative and you can draw. Many educators are pushing the discovery method for learning, and this program encourages that.
P.S. to Maria: Think of physics in elementary school as: what sinks and what floats, learning about simple machines, including how levers and ramps work. That is the kind of physics taught in elementary school usually. it just isn’t called physics and is lumped into a general science course. Phun and Algodoo lets you work with gears, levers, ramps, etc. that are covered there, plus much more.