How I Organize My Father's World Kindergarten (God's Creation From A to Z)

We've been using My Father's World God's Creation From A to Z with Titus, my just-turned-five-year-old! (His birthday was July 30.) We are on Week 15 this week. We started this when he was 4 1/2 years old. He has really done well with it! He is starting to blend words and can read lots of CVC words. He is recognizing words he knows and will point them out. He tries to sound out everything! We really love My Father's World.

I've seen many blog posts that have very elaborate filing systems for organizing the papers and such for this curriculum. I don't have the time or space for that! With five kids and five sets of curriculum, I need to streamline as much as possible. I want to share my very simple and easy way of organizing My Father's World God's Creation From A to Z.

I found the best plastic container at Walmart! It has a lift-out tray perfect for holding the small things needed daily and pretty deep storage area. It was about $8! I even went and bought another one (and I'm sure I'll buy more and more, haha) for my own "teacher" supplies.

In the tray, I have the following items:

• the picture card envelopes (each week, they have picture cards to cut out and store in the envelopes - they are used several times weekly)
• the small alphabet flashcards (I keep the letters we have learned and are learning in the envelope - I use them for daily review and games)
• short vowel cards (also in an envelope - they are used weekly to reinforce the short vowel sounds)
• pencils, markers, crayons, scissors, glue stick, pencil sharpener (we use these daily)
• a small clock with moveable hands (learning to tell time, it's nice to have on hand)

Under the tray in the storage area, I keep:

• the teacher's guide
• a red folder that holds his worksheets for the week, his blend ladder chart, calendar and number chart
• his math workbook (there is very little math in MFW, so I do supplement with a kindergarten math workbook)
• handwriting tablet (I use a yellow marker to write letters and he traces them - there is only one day of handwriting in MFW, so I do like him to practice often)
• extra flashcards (in a zipper bag, I keep the flashcards we haven't learned yet)
• alphabet flashcards (we use these almost daily, but they won't fit in the tray - I keep them in a zipper bag)
• bingo cards (in a zipper bag)
• words to remember cards (again, in a zipper bag - the ones we haven't learned yet)
• badge patterns
• worksheets (I keep the ones we haven't used yet paper-clipped by week in the bottom of the storage container - I can easily grab next week's worksheets and slip them into his folder on Sunday)

There are a few things that won't fit into the tub - Cuisenaire rods, textured letter puzzles, and other manipulatives. I keep them close by on a bookshelf. I actually keep the puzzle right on top of the storage container because we use it all the time.

He also has a binder that holds his completed work. I have dividers for each week, and I label them by letter and theme (for example C- Cow or W- Water). Each week, we have to make a badge that will help us remember the Bible lessons and letter/theme. I glue these to the front of each divider. Everything he completes goes behind the correct divider. He loves looking through his binder! I usually hole-punch the worksheets at the beginning of the week to make a quick transfer each day.

If you'll look at my Teacher's Guide, you can see that I write tons of stuff inside! I like to add in some fun hands-on math activities as well as crafts and extra worksheets for each theme. I don't have to do this, but Titus is always asking for more school, so I try to find some simple and fun things he can do. I simply write them in pencil on the schedule. I try to include the books we read each week to go along with the theme, but sometimes I forget. It will be a great record of his Kindergarten year!

I also keep small Post-It flags on the current week and on the reading lesson instructions (which are in the back of the teacher's guide). It makes it easier to flip to the right pages!

We are really happy with My Father's World! Titus has learned so much and I have had so much fun teaching it!

Middle School Checklists {Junior High Junction}

With two kids now in middle school - one in 8th grade, and the other in 6th grade - I have decided to do a few things differently. Having a schedule for them to follow each day is one thing I have implemented this school year. They each have a 3-prong folder with 36 weekly schedules inside.

By schedule, I don't mean a strict, to-the-minute itinerary each day. I have created each of them a weekly checklist to use. This weekly checklist includes each subject they must complete each day, along with a checklist for things like personal hygiene, quiet time, and chores. {I find my middle school age kids need reminders to put on deodorant and brush their teeth without being embarrassed when I mention it.}

 

On their weekly schedule, I have included the following subjects:

• Math
• Language Arts
• History
• Science
• Writing
• Reading
• Spanish
• Typing

They don't do every subject every day - for example, science is 3 times a week - but they just put an X in the box if they don't have to complete it that day. A check goes in the box when they do complete it.

I have also included the following under the category of habits:

• Quiet Time
• Memory
• Personal Care
• Clean Room
• Chores

Also on the checklist is a reading log with room for the book title, number of pages and date completed. I have this because my kids read so many books that I can't keep track of them all! This way, at the end of the year, I can compile a list of every book they read in a year.

There  is also space for their memory verse, which we are using from Foundations 2: Christ our Messiah Bible curriculum. Having them write their memory verse on this page insures that when they see the Memory row to check off, they will study their verse for a few minutes. It makes it easier than hunting for an index card or searching in the Bible. Plus, I want us all to memorize the verse in the New Living Translation {my absolute favorite Bible translation} so we can play games and help each other memorize it.

Having the kids use this Weekly Checklist has been so helpful. There is no more "What do I do next?" or "I forgot to do Spanish today!" Until they have checked off every item from that list, they can't watch TV or go outside or do anything.

This gives me plenty of time to work with my little ones, who really need my focus this year. {This is why I have moved my two older children to independent school work instead of the family learning we have done in the past.}

How do you make sure your middle-schooler gets all of his work completed each day?

An InLinkz Link-up

Homeschool Organization {the extras}

My husband works in the pipeline industry. His job requires us to travel several times a year. He works jobs all over the country that last anywhere from a month to a year! The average time-span we spend on one job is about five months. The kids and I travel with him, which is part of the reason we chose to start homeschooling eight years ago! We have a travel trailer, but with the kids getting older {and more in number}, we are renting a furnished home right now.

We make our permanent home in Louisiana, where most of my homeschool supplies are. {We are limited in what we can bring. It has to fit in my husbands truck and my Yukon XL.} So, I've had to purchase a lot of things this year that we normally have on hand. {And don't ask me how we are going to get it all home...I don't know!!} Anyways...

I have already organized our books for Little Hearts for His Glory and Bigger Hearts for His Glory. However, there are always tons of extra supplies when you are homeschooling! I went out today and bought most of the supplies we will need for the next several weeks, as well as the supplies Mikaela will need for her science experiments.

I bought a plastic tub to keep under my bed for art supplies and science experiment supplies.

Some of the items I have in here are: tennis balls, Ping-Pong balls, masking tape, paint and brushes, clothespins, measuring tape, stickers, flashlights, glue, craft sticks, magnifying glass, scotch tape, and tweezers. {Fellow HOD'ers probably know why most of the odd items are in here!}

 

I have two zipper pouches for myself. One contains extra pencils, pens, erasers, a stapler and staples.

 

This one contains our dry-erase markers.

 

 

 In this basket, I have a few math manipulatives. We have a ton of stuff at home, but I had to purchase these here.

 

I have some transportation counters and linking cubes {both Learning Resource}.

 

I also have some math dice, regular game dice, and 30 dinosaur counters. I picked these up at the Dollar Tree! I have ordered some fraction dice and plastic coins that will go in here also.

 

Mikaela is 12, in 7th grade, and she is using Christian Light for Bible, Language Arts and Social Studies. In this basket, we have her concordance, her answer keys and teachers guide for math {Key to Fractions}, language arts and Bible. I also keep my zipper pouches in here for easy access.

 

 

 She colored a horse for her notebook cover.

 

In her binder, she has a Language Arts reference chart, a ruler, her zipper pouch, maps she will need for Social Studies, and two notebooks. One notebook is for spelling and copywork; the other is for Social Studies.

 

I ordered Mikaela "Science in the Ancient World". {The CLE science was so dry and boring. Not a spot of color, not one picture. We are sending it back.}

 

 

 

I purchased some fabric squares today. I have a project for Mikaela: hand-sew a few beanbags for Silas and Titus's HOD games.

So...that's my organization so far! It is always fun to get ready to start homeschooling. The kids get so excited and are ready to start today! We are still waiting on Mikaela's science book. We may start next week, but my target date is August 3.

Homeschooling with Heart of Dakota {getting prepared for Little Hearts for His Glory}

Little Hearts for His Glory {ages 5-7}

 

All of the books Silas will need are kept in this basket. I am super excited to read the Thornton Burgess books to him this year!

 

This is his binder.

{He decided to use colored pencils to color his cover sheet, and I discovered he has much better coloring skills with the colored pencils than he does with crayons. I am going to buy him his own box to keep in his backpack.}

 

I decided to make him some science notebooking worksheets for his binder. He loves "worksheets" and I think they will solidify what he is learning, as well as keep him busy!

 

I also created a handwriting page {with a small section at the bottom to color}. I simplified the verses to what I am going to have him memorize. We have tried memorizing scripture before, and smaller selections work better for him. I did increase the verses with each unit, because I know his skill level will develop.

 

Again, I created these worksheets to coordinate with the reading activity once a week. It is totally not necessary, as everything we need is in the guide. I just thought he would enjoy these.

 

In his backpack {which is a small one}, he has his art supply box, pencil pouch and a box of crayons {in a plastic container}.

 

I am also going to work with him on speech therapy. He has some speech problems, and when we were home, he was going to a speech therapist once a week. There was no improvement while we were attending. However, I started researching speech therapy methods and working with him, and he has made tremendous improvement. We are going to continue with this.

 

I created these binder spine labels with the child's name, school year, grade and program. This will be helpful for storage purposes.

 

I am so excited to begin!

 

Homeschooling with Heart of Dakota {getting prepared for Bigger Hearts for His Glory}

So, we are to begin our homeschooling journey once more after a year in the public school system. I homeschooled my five children starting with my oldest, Mikaela, when she was in Kindergarten. She is now starting 7th grade! {She is the only one not using Heart of Dakota.}

My oldest son, Eli, is 10 and starting the 5th grade. I am combining him with his sister, Mercie, who is 7 and starting 2nd grade. They will be using Bigger Hearts for His Glory, with the science portion of the extension pack for Eli.

Silas is 5 and starting Kindergarten with Little Hearts for His Glory. The youngest, Titus, is 3. We will start Little Hands to Heaven with him, using it about twice a week. I want it to last two years.

This is our first year that we will be using Heart of Dakota. I am so excited! I have done almost all of the prep work and organization for the entire year, and I wanted to share it in case anyone else was new to this!

Bigger Hearts for His Glory {ages 7-9, extions for 10-11}

 I bought my teacher's guide used from Ebay. It was already in this binder, with the pages in sheet protectors. I love how easy it is to use! I love the individual boxes on each page that tell us what to do. I love the activities, the notebooking, the experiments, the literature...I could go on and on.

 These are the books from the Bigger... package. I put them all in a plastic tub for easy access.
{Everything else goes in their backpacks, which I will explain below.}

 

Here are their binders. I printed out each of them a notebook cover to color. They thought that was great fun, and I thought it added a personal touch to each binder.

 Each of their binders has dividers labeled "HISTORY", "SCIENCE", "POETRY", "VOCABULARY", AND "EXPERIMENTS".

 Behind their "HISTORY" divider, I have printed out a timeline and notebook sheets {from the HOD yahoo group}.

 Behind "SCIENCE", I printed out notebook sheets, also from the HOD yahoo group.

 

 Behind "VOCABULARY", I printed out a page with space for all three vocabulary words for Eli. I made Mercie a page with space for one vocabulary word. I am going to let her choose the word.

 Behind "EXPERIMENTS", I made a sheet with space for the question, guess, procedure, and conclusion.

 Since Eli is on the oldest end of the age recommendations, I printed out a list of 300 spelling words for 5th graders. If I use 10 a week, that will give us 30 weeks of spelling words. {www.spelling-words-well.com}

They each have their own box of art supplies {scissors, colored pencils, markers, pencil sharpener, glue stick, watercolor tin}. I keep all other art supplies in a box in my closet. These are the things they will use daily or weekly, and I find it helps for each child to have their own box in their backpack. They each also have a pencil bag with pencils, erasers, and high-lighters. This cuts back on looking for pencils each day.

In their backpacks, they each have their binder, Rod and Staff textbook and a notebook to be used with R&S, Singapore math workbooks, art box, pencil pouch, index card ring for memory verses, and whatever book they are reading. Eli also has his Exploring Planet Earth book, and Mercie has two decks of playing cards {for the math activities}.

The backpacks make it easy for all of us. When it's time for school, they grab their backpacks are ready to go. It makes clean up easy, cuts back on lost books or notebooks, and keeps their stuff organized. Backpacks are only to be used during school time, and are kept in my room.

{I'm sorry some of the pictures are sideways...I can't figure out how to turn them.}