Education Links

WORKBOX SYSTEM

• http://www.workboxsystem.com/
• http://rockingbfarm.blogspot.com/search/label/Workbox (Large Family Workbox System, Modified)
• http://www.squidoo.com/workboxes
• http://ideas4theworkbox.blogspot.com/search/label/workbox%20Ideas
• http://heartofwisdom.com/blog/workbox-organizing-and-planning/
• http://heartofthematteronline.com/thinking-inside-the-box
• http://noplacelikehome-lynn.blogspot.com/2009/06/photos-of-workbox-system-and-chore.html
• http://docs.google.com/view?docID=dwstdgn_447mphsmf8&revision=_latest

ACTIVITIES (WORKBOX FILLERS)

• http://www.activitymom.blogspot.com/
• http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/preschool_activities.htm

LAPBOOKS

• http://www.homeschoolshare.com/Lapbooks_at_HSS.php
• http://www.homeschoolshare.com/index_lapbooks_master_list.php
• http://www.homeschoolhelperonline.com/lapbooks.htm

PRINTABLES SITES

• http://www.childcareland.com/free.html (some free)
• http://www.homeschoolshare.com/workbox.php
• http://www.first-school.ws/preschool/printable-activities/index.htm
• http://abcteach.com/ (some free)
• http://www.guesthollow.com/homeschool/printables/printables.html
• http://www.coloring-book.info/coloring/
• http://www.homeeducationresources.com/FREE1.htm
• http://heartofwisdom.com/blog/category/free-printables/
• http://www.teachnology.com/printables/
• http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/
• http://www.tlsbooks.com/
• http://www.printactivities.com/
• http://www.kbteachers.com/

BIBLE

• http://simplycharlottemason.com/timesavers/memorysys/
• http://gardenofpraise.com/bibleles.htm
• http://www.faithfirst.com/html/catechist/downloads/downloads.html

LANGUAGE ARTS

• http://www.progressivephonics.com/
• http://www.literactive.com/Home/index.asp
• http://www.handwritingworksheets.com/
• http://www.sfreading.com/resources/ghb.html
• http://www.splashesfromtheriver.com/spelling/index.htm
• http://www.zaner-bloser.com/spellingconnections/practice-pages.html
• http://www.aaaspell.com/index.htm
• http://www.aaaspell.com/vocabulary.htm
• http://www.bigiqkids.com/VocabularyProgram/FreeVocabulary.html
• http://www.first-school.ws/theme/alphabetp2.htm#a
• http://www.bigiqkids.com/SpellingTest/FreeSpellingProgram.html
• http://www.grammar-monster.com/
• http://docsouth.unc.edu/imls/branson/branson.html
• http://www.dailygrammar.com/
• http://home.pct.edu/~evavra/KISS.htm
• http://www.read.gov/books/
• http://www.sylvandellpublishing.com/sitelicense.php?sc=MADSU1
• http://www.rhlschool.com/reading.htm
• http://www.nrrf.org/readtest.html
• http://www.englishmaven.org/
• http://www.grammaropolis.com/

MATHEMATICS

• http://pgcounty.scottforesman.com/
• http://www.themathpage.com/
• http://www.purplemath.com/
• http://www.aaamath.com/aaamath.htm
• http://www.cimt.plymouth.ac.uk/projects/mepres/primary/default.htm
• http://www.bigmathtime.com/
• http://www.thefreemathtutor.com/
• http://www.math-aids.com/
• http://www.harcourtschool.com/menus/math_advantage.html
• http://www.free-ed.net/free-ed/math/prealg01/default.asp?iNum=0

SCIENCE

• http://pgcounty.scottforesman.com/
• http://www.guesthollow.com/homeschool/science/otters_science/otters_science_main.html
• http://www.eequalsmcq.com/homeschoolers.htm
• http://www.eequalsmcq.com/ClassicScienceLife.htm
• http://www.msnucleus.org/
• http://www.nps.gov/learn/curriculum.htm
• http://www.learner.org/resources/series209.html#program_descriptions
• http://science.education.nih.gov/customers.nsf/WebPages/CSHome

HISTORY/GEOGRAPHY

• http://www.guesthollow.com/homeschool/history/americanhistoryindex.html
• http://www.gutenberg.org/files/12228/12228-h/12228-h.htm
• http://www.prontolessons.com/lessons.html
• http://www.bigiqkids.com/StatesProgram/FreeUSstatesProgram.html
• http://www.americanheritage.org/k-12_lessons.html
• http://www.learner.org/biographyofamerica/

COMPLETE PROGRAMS

• http://www.amblesideonline.org/
• http://www.oldfashionededucation.com/
• http://www.hippocampus.org/
• http://www.theheadoftheclass.com/
• http://www.puritans.net/curriculum/
• http://www.baltimorecp.org/lessons/draft_lessons.html

GRADE LEVEL SKILLS

• http://www.internet4classrooms.com/grade_level_help.htm

PRESCHOOL

• http://www.starfall.com/
• http://www.letteroftheweek.com/
• http://earlychildhood.msstate.edu/usingtheguidelines/index.htm
• http://ourpreschoolhomeschool.blogspot.com/
• http://www.yourchildlearns.com/dirll.htm
• http://www.yourchildlearns.com/bridge-to-reading.html

FOREIGN LANGUAGE

• http://www.frenchassistant.com/
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/
• http://www.livemocha.com/
• http://www.learnlatinonlinefree.com/
• http://www.hebrew4christians.net/Grammar/grammar.html
• http://www.word2word.com/course.html

UNIT STUDY

• http://www.homeschoolshare.com/levels.php

HOME ECONOMICS

• http://www.futurechristianhomemakers.com/FCHLessonsIndex.html

COMPUTER/TYPING

• http://www.learnerstv.com/course.php?cat=Computers
• http://www.typingweb.com/
• http://www.goodtyping.com/

ART

• http://www.tuxpaint.org/
• http://www.drawspace.com/

TEST PREP

• https://www.march2success.com/index.cfm
• http://www.testprepreview.com/

PLANNERS

• http://dynamic2moms.webs.com/curriculumplanner.htm
• http://www.homeschoolskedtrack.com/HomeSchool/displayLogin.do
• http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/gettingorganized/planner.php

TUTOR

• http://www.mindsprinting.com/mindsprinting/ ($)

TEACHER RESOURCES

• http://www.dryerase.com/
• http://www.printablepaper.net/
• http://academicearth.org/
• http://www.coreknowledge.org/lesson-plans
• http://www.cosmolearning.com/education/
• http://donnayoung.org/index.htm
• http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/
• http://www.everyday-education.com/gpacalc/index.shtml
• http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/9-12.html

Italian Zucchini Casserole

ITALIAN ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE

• 3 medium zucchinis, peeled, sliced, and chopped
• 3 Tablespoons of oil, divided
• 1 medium onion
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 4 cups tomato, diced
• 1 Tablespoon basil
• 1 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups dry instant stuffing mix or bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan
• 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella

Cook zucchini in 2 Tablespoons oil until tender. Drain and set aside. In the same skillet, sauté onions and garlic in 1 Tablespoon oil. Add tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in zucchini. Place in greased 13 x 9 baking dish. Top with stuffing or bread crumbs, sprinkle with parmesan, cover, and bake at 350* for 20 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with mozzarella, and bake an additional 10 minutes, until the
cheese is golden brown.

CUCUMBER SALAD

CUCUMBER SALAD

• 1 medium cucumber, chopped
• 1 can of corn, drained
• 2 cups tomato, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar or vinaigrette
• 1 Tablespoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon cilantro
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Mix together. Toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes,
before serving.

Modified Workboxes, A Sample Day

12 is Sue Patrick's number. 12 workboxes to break up the work into smaller, easily managed chunks. I think of each workbox/file folder as about 15-20 minutes worth of work...maybe less for younger children. The original workboxes are plastic shoe-box size tubs. We chose a hanging file folder tub and 12 hanging file folders, as we have limited space and that would be ALOT of little tubs to deal with otherwise!! ;) We use Tapestry of Grace, along with a multitude of other curriculum.

Ok, so let give you a sample day (not a real day for us...I don't have a lesson planner in front of me) for a high schooler:
Workbox/File 1:Geography Map (Pledges and Geography with MOM), 15 minutes
Workbox/File 2:Cozy Grammar DVD Lesson and Worksheet, 20 minutes
Workbox/File 3:Apologia Science book, read pages 25-32, 25 minutes
Workbox/File 4:Apologia Science lab (items in ziploc bag), 20 minutes
Workbox/File 5:VideoText Algebra DVD lesson, 15 minutes
Workbox/File 6:VideoText Algebra Worksheet, 15 minutes
Workbox/File 7:Vocabulary Worksheet, 10 minutes
Workbox/File 8:Spelling with Mom (Sequential Spelling), 10 minutes
Workbox/File 9:The Story of Painting, read pages 25-32, 25 minutes
Workbox/File 10:Gift of Music, read chapter 2, 25 minutes
Workbox/File 11:TOG Student Activity Page-Fine Arts section, 20 minutes
Workbox/File 12:SOS Alabama History, 25 minutes

Not all subjects are covered everyday. And, this is a heavier load than my younger kids have to deal with. No history was covered...just a light geography lesson that day. No writing projects were done. Some subjects (like Fine Arts) are only once a week for the kids...just different days. The workboxes/file folders are labeled with numbers only...no subjects, as day to day that changes.

Here is what a sample Kindergarten day might look like for us:
Workbox/File 1:Geography Map (Pledges and Geography with MOM)
Workbox/File 2:Map Puzzle
Workbox/File 3:Apologia Science book, read pages 25-26
Workbox/File 4:Science worksheet
Workbox/File 5:Developmental Mathematics lesson and worksheet with Mom
Workbox/File 6:Mathematics File Folder Game or Mathematics Flip Book
Workbox/File 7:Phonics Video
Workbox/File 8:Handwriting Workbook (HWT)
Workbox/File 9:ABC Puzzle or www.starfall.com
Workbox/File 10:History-Who Built the Pyramids? Pgs 24-26
Workbox/File 11:Fine Arts-Old Testament Days Pg 32-34
Workbox/File 12:Family Project-Make Egyptian jewelry (items in ziploc bag)

We have a chart on our workboxes. The chart includes all the workbox/file folder numbers, and it also has blank spaces to put tags for other items, such as time on the trampoline, a snack, time on the wii or Nintendo DS, a nature walk...the possibilities are endless!

My preschooler does school work with her siblings...she has since about the age of 2, and she has her very own workbox with 12 hanging folders. Our toddler also has a workbox that has 12 toys in it...we rotate out special school toys that keep him busy. No file folders for him.

If a certain item is used by multiple children (such as a video, dvd, book), then we have a box it goes in, and in that workbox/file folder, we have a photocopy of that item and the kids know where to go to get the item. We are not heavily into worksheets, as we like literature based curriculum.

I am not big into the posters that Sue Patrick likes. I don't have the time or room for something like that. We do file folder games and flip books instead. They take up less room! ;) When it comes to any curriculum, modify it or leave things out, to fit your needs!

I hope this all makes sense and helps you out! :) If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Mexican Salad--Vegetarian...or Not!

Mexican Salad
A great recipe to use your fresh garden produce!

• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 large red bell pepper, seeded & chopped
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed & drained
• 1 (15 oz) can whole-kernel corn, drained
• 4 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 2 large green bell peppers, seeded & chopped
• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons canola oil
• 8 cups shredded lettuce
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 bag of tortilla chips
• Optional: 1 pound lean ground beef, browned

Combine first 7 ingredients in a large bowl. Combine vinegar and next 3 ingredients in a small bowl; pour over corn mixture, and toss to coat. Cover and chill at least 1 hour.

To serve, spoon vegetable mixture over lettuce, and top with cheese and browned beef (optional). Place tortilla chips around salad. Serves: 8.

Christmas 2009

Children: Hunter-15, Payton Nicole-13, Courtney-12, Logan-9, Noah-7, Emma-5, Katie Beth-3, and Titus-15 months. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Boyd Family Traditions

We have many traditions that we enjoy during December. These pictures are from our December 19th trip to Huntsville. We loaded up our children, plus Sam, and went to the Huntsville Botanical Garden for the Galaxy of Lights. We then went to Horseshoe Trail and visited with Santa, the Grinch, a skinny Polar Bear, live reindeer, and more! We finish our night off with a visit to Krispy Kreme for warm doughnuts and hot chocolate. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Homeschool Photos 2009-Oldest 4

Hunter-age 15, 9th grade

Payton-age 13, 8th grade

Courtney-age 12, 7th grade

Logan-age 9, 4th grade

Homeschool Photos 2009-Youngest 4

Noah-age 7, 2nd grade

Emma-age 5, Kindergarten

Katelyn-age 3, PK3

Titus-age 1, Nursery

Grocery Savings at Publix This Morning

Another great day at Publix! I saved ALOT of money this morning! Here is what I bought:

• Kellogg's Cereals were BOGO, so you get 2 for $3.99. I bought 9 Rice Krispies and 16 Froot Loops. I had 25-$1 off 1 online Target coupons. Those were stacked with: 9-$1 off 1 Rice Krispies or Crispix manufacturers coupon and 8-$1 off 2 Froot Loops/Apple Jacks/Corn Pops manufacturers coupon. Those coupons were from the 11/8 Red Plum newspaper circular . So, I got the 9 boxes of Rice Krispies free and the 16 boxes of Froot Loops for 49-50 cents each.
• The Rice Krispie boxes had coupons on them for free marshmallows, if you buy 2 boxes of Rice Krispies. I got 5 bags of Jet-Puffed mini-marshmallows free.
• I bought two 2-liters of coke, they were 2 for $3.
• I bought a Publix Milk for $2.59, and had a $1 off a dairy item from Publix Baby Club.
• I bought a pack of Publix Jumbo Meat Franks and had the 1 cent coupon, as this was the mystery item. I got it for a penny!

So, here is the math:

• $0 + $7.92 + $0 + $3 + $1.59 + $0.01 = $12.52 OUT OF POCKET (plus tax)

So, here is the savings:

• Store Coupons: $27.98
• Vendor Coupons: $24.70
• Advertised Savings: $49.75
• Advantage Buy Savings: $1.50
• TOTAL SAVED: $103.93

I paid $12.52, plus tax for $116.45 worth of groceries! Now that is SAVINGS!!! Start here: http://southernsavers.com/

Grocery Savings at Publix Today

In this economy, every little bit helps! I saved a BUNCH of money at Publix today! I will be going back tomorrow for some things, since they will restock tonight. The best deals at Publix are the BOGO (buy one get one free) items, and coupled with coupons, you can really save some cash!!! Here is what I bought:

• Kellogg's Cereals were BOGO, so you get 2 for $3.99. I bought 3 Apple Jacks, as that was all they had. I had 3-$1 off 1 online Target coupons and 1-$1.50 off 3 manufacturers coupon from the 11/8 Red Plum newspaper circular. So, I got 3 boxes of cereal for $1.49.

• Betty Crocker SuperMoist Cake Mix was BOGO, so you get 2 for $1.71. I bought 4, for a total of $3.42.

• Betty Crocker Frosting was BOGO, so you get 2 for $1.71. I had 2-50 cents off 1 coupons (which were doubled) from the 11/15 Smart Source insert in the newspaper. So, I got 4 for free...actually, with an overage of 15 cents each.

• Juicy Juice was BOGO, so you get 2 for $3.65. I had a $1 off 2 internet coupon from the Juicy Juice website. So, I got 2 bottles for $2.65.

• Yoplait Yo-Plus and Yo-Plus Light 4 packs were BOGO, so you get 2 for $2.50. I had $1 off 1 coupons from the 11/8 Smart Source insert in the newspaper. We bought 15 packs at 25 cents each. For a total of $3.75.

• I also bought two 2 liters of Coke at 2 for $3, and a bag of suckers for $1.89.

So, here is the math:

$1.49 + $3.42 + $2.65 + $3.75 + $3 + $1.89 = $15.20 - $0.60 = $14.60 OUT OF POCKET

• Savings: Vendor Coupons: $20.50, Store Coupons: $5.00, Advertised Special Savings: $35.68. TOTAL SAVINGS: $61.18

So, I bought $75.78 worth of groceries for $14.60, plus tax!!!! Here is a link to help you get started: http://southernsavers.com/

Happy 9th Birthday Logan!!!

Logan, I can't believe you are now 9 years old!!! You are growing up so fast!!!! Slow was never your speed! Today was a good day, despite the rain. We hung out and watched movies, then went on your shopping trip with your birthday money. You bought a dinosaur robot, 2 XBOX 360 games, a Hot Wheels Battle Force 5 vehicle and action figure, and 2 dinosaur playsets for your birthday cake. Plus a some special snacks and a milkshake. We made you a "jurassic" cake, with a volcano. Very cool!! We love you!!!

Morning at the Boyd House

7 of the 8 Boyd children on a chilly morning in October.

Happy 15th Birthday Hunter!

Happy 15th Birthday Hunter!!!! You got money for your birthday (no big surprise there) and you used it towards buying the XBox 360, a couple of games, and a year of XBox Live. Soon you will take the written test for your Driver's Permit. We love you Tiger!!!!!!

Happy 1st Birthday Titus!

Happy 1st Birthday Ty!!!!! You handsome little man!!!!! Today it rained, so we spent the day snuggled up together, watching movies, and playing with your new ball. You also got a couple of neat little cars, an electronic book, and some new clothes for winter. We love you sweet fella!!!!!

Happy 12th Birthday Courtney

Happy Birthday Sweetpea!!! Today you turned 12. We went to get you a manicure and pedicure today...lucky girl!!!! You also bought a video game, got your ears pierced, and spent a small fortune at Claire's Boutique! We love you!!!!!!!!!!

Workbox Student Chart & Tags, and Center Tags

I still have to cut out the tags and laminate them, but you get the picture! Each student has a "Workbox Student Chart" and I place different tags on each of the empty boxes. The tags give them different activities to do, such as: Trampoline, Pick-up Yard, Nature Walk, Science Center, etc. We won't be doing student strips...this would be our equivalent. If you would like these MS Word files, please let me know! Happy Homeschooling!

Workbox Weekly Planner Page

I made these on Excel. I use these as our lesson planner. One weekend box, mostly for any weekend reading, not really for the workbox. Then 5 daily boxes, each with 12 lines. I list what we be in each "workbox" on the lines, and then every evening I load each "workbox". I have one of these pages for each student, each week. I put them in a binder, and write their grades straight onto these pages. Such a time saver! If you would like a copy of this form, please let me know! Happy Homeschooling!!

Homeschool Centers

Since starting on the Sue Patrick's Workbox System adventure, I also decided to get more organized and to set up "centers". I don't have the room to set up table centers, but I do have room to set up a center on 1 counter in our kitchen and another at a small table in the family room. I decided to rework 2 messy school shelves (1 shown above), and make them "center" centers! I used cheap washtubs from the dollar store ($1 each for all my storage needs!) and set up tubs. Just pull the tub of choice and set it up in an available spot. The 2 thin turquoise tubs hold file folder games and ringbooks. I am not finished yet, but here is the list of things in them or going to be in them. Yes, that is a MOTH schedule on the bulletin board. Happy Homeschooling!

Math Center
· Magnetic numbers and math symbols
· Math puzzles
· Clocks
· Rulers
· Compass and protractor
· Measuring spoons and cups
· Thermometer
· Flashcards
· Ringbooks
· Grid paper
· Hundreds chart
· Scale
· Weights
· Counters
· Geoboard and rubberbands
· Pattern blocks
· Tangrams
· Dice
· Calculator

Science Center
· Science puzzles
· Hourglass
· Microscope and slides
· Small pitcher
· Plastic bottles
· Magnets
· Magnifying glass
· Prism
· Measuring cups and spoons
· Beakers and flasks
· Scale
· Hotplate
· Droppers
· Tweezers
· Bug jar
· Aquarium
· Thermometer
· Seeds
· Soil
· Sand and Gravel
· One Small Square books by Donald Silver
· Periodic Table Guide
· Book-Food and Nutrition for Every Kid
· Book-DK Ultimate Visual Dictionary of Science
· Related books/video/resources

History Center
· Maps
· Globe
· U.S. Presidents flashcards
· Timeline
· Paper dolls
· The Constitution of the U.S. pocket guide
· A Child’s History of the World
· God and Government-Vol. 1, 2, & 3
· The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia
· The Timetables of History
· World map puzzle
· U.S. map puzzle
· Travel brochures
· Related books/videos/resources

Phonics Center
· Magnetic Letters
· HWT Stamp and See Screen
· HWT Alphabet Dough Cards and Tray
· HWT Dough
· HWT Wood pieces for capital letters
· HWT Capital letter cards
· HWT Foam mat
· HWT Small chalkboard and chalk
· Build a Word Wooden Puzzles
· Lap Computers
· Leapfrog items
· Wipe-off books
· Ringbooks
· Flashcards

Reading Center
· CD/Tape Player and headphones
· Books on Tape/CD
· Lantern
· Leapfrog items
· Books
· Magazines
· Newspapers
· Comic books
· Victory Drill Book
· Graded readers

Language Arts Center
· Dictionary
· Thesaurus
· Notebook paper
· Pencils/pens
· Envelopes
· Crossword books
· Word search books
· Tapestry of Grace Writing Aids
· Rummy Roots Vocabulary Cards
· Madlibs

Creativity Center
· Homemade dough
· Construction paper
· White paper
· Yarn
· Watercolors
· Chalk
· Paperdolls
· Art kits
· Glue
· Glitter
· Scissors
· Stencils
· Tempera paint
· Pipe cleaners
· Tissue paper
· Beads
· Colored noodles/rice
· Whiteboards and markers
· Coloring books
· Crayons
· Colored pencils
· Art aprons

Construction Center
· Legos
· Duplos
· Wood blocks
· Tree blocks
· K’Nex
· Lincoln Logs
· Tinker Toys
· Wooden trains
· Matchbox cars
· Small people
· Small animals
· Lacing activities

Puzzle Center
· Puzzles-all shapes and sizes!

Katelyn's 3rd Birthday

Happy Birthday, Katie Beth, our Katie-Bug! We hope you had a great time at Chuck E. Cheese! Mommy and Daddy love you, sweet girl!!!!