Homework Station

I love these Homework Tips that Use Positive Discipline Tools.  It is from this site.  This year I am doing homework differently.  

Here are the Homework Tips:

1. Create a Homework Station with Your Child:

I have a homework station that can be moved.  It is a wooden box that I decorated with wrapping paper & mod podge.  I asked the kids what they wanted in the homework station.  We have pencils, erasers, markers, crayons, glue, & their spelling notebooks.  When we are on the go, I have a bag that we take with other supplies.  This is so nice.  Everything we need in 1 place.  No searching for a pencil or where Noah's spelling notebook is at.  

Here is 2 pictures of our Homework Station: 

2. "Create a Homework Routine with Your Child: Use the Positive Discipline tool of routines. Have a family meeting or set up a time for a positive discussion to create a homework routine that works for you and works for your child." 

I did not copy the entire paragraph above.  After school, the older 2 does their homework if they have any.  They know where their pencils are kept.  Everything they need is in the Homework Station.  I also have a pen or 2 for me to sign things for them.  We do have a weekly family meeting.  I have left Noah be in charge of a few.  He had some issues with his sister's bad behavior reflecting on him so he wanted to get somethings off of his chest.  

3. "Ask Instead of Telling or Nagging: Once a homework routine is established, parents can ask questions such as

• “What’s next on your homework routine?”
• “What’s on your schedule for now?
• “What would help you follow through on your plan to complete your homework?”
• “What do you think is getting in the way of you staying on schedule?”

All of the questions above help children develop the skills of planning ahead, self-evaluating and following through."

I check their agenda books.  It is a calendar planner for the kids given to them by the school district.  They have to write what they have for homework.  Ashleigh's teacher makes you sign in this agenda book to make sure they did it.  Like if it was for reading.  Noah writes when he has his specials in his agenda book along with other important information like when their book fair is, etc.  Noah's class also does a monthly calendar where the kids write all the numbers, answers some questions about the month.  Like what is today?  Then, they fill in some important information like they had 4 days this month for the anti-bullying.  The kids have to wear certain things.  

4. Spend Weekly Special Time with Your Child: Sometimes children dawdle or don’t complete homework as a way of getting attention from a parent. Set up a time that happens every week where you and your child can spend one-on-one uninterrupted time together. Schedule at least 30 minutes and 45 minutes to an hour is even better. Special time can take many forms, but I encourage parents to stay away from using t.v., video games and computers during special time. Here are a few ideas to get you and your child started:

• Play a board game together
• Take a walk together
• Ride bikes together
• Bake cookies or make fruit smoothies (including cleaning up together)

We do this with each of the kids.  We learned it is very important.  We do a weekly movie night.  Each one of us gets to pick out the movie.  We are redoing this soon.  We will pick out the movies the last week of the month for the following month-4 movies.  Last week I had time alone with Noah. He wanted dinner & ice cream with me.  Next month it will be with Ashleigh.  We also have game nights, & reading nights.  I love reading nights.  It is mostly me & Noah.  Maybe Ash will join.

We love strawberry smoothies.  I make them a lot.  

Here is my recipe:

1. 3 oz of vanilla yogurt (1/2 container)
2. 3-4 cups of strawberries (I think this depends on you)
3. 3-4 cups of ice (again depends on what you want & how you like your smoothie)
4. 1 cup of milk (or 1 bottle of pedisure-strawberry flavor)

Blend them together.  Pour into glasses.  Enjoy!

Have a great week!  I have another project I did coming up soon.  It is about school lunches.  How to be better organized for the kids to take lunches to school!

Melissa