When school started I created a binder for Caleb and Noah. It has of all their class information, teacher contact, school contact, school calendar and I put in tabs where the papers they bring home go. In years past all the information was in a folder and their work got thrown in a box- now since the move it’s in multiple unorganized boxes. Not good! So far I’ve been pretty good about keeping up with it. I’m not keeping everything, but the papers that make the cut sometimes sit on my desk until I find the time to punch holes and put them in the binders.
My other binder came from the question, "What to do with Ian?" I'm so used to the boys going to daycare and then to Pre-K 3 and 4. They learned so much from their teachers that I just hadn't thought too much about what goes into teaching that age. Ian already seems little behind when you compare him to Noah and Caleb. I believe a lot of that is just different personalities- Ian is a little more on the silly side. Also with two such helpful big brothers, Ian hasn’t had to take on as much responsibility. That has been changing!
At first getting organized for “Mommy’s School” was done mostly by Googling. I also dug through boxes trying to find Noah and Caleb's old report cards from Pre-K 3. I needed a checklist of what he needed to know, what I needed to work with him on. I work better when I have a goal in mind. Going back to teaching; I needed some TEKS!! (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) I used Word to type up some basics that I thought he should learn. l put all these MEKS (Mommy’s Essential Knowledge and Skills- I know pretty cheesy!) into tables so as he masters the items we can put stickers by it. In the binder we keep his work, worksheets for him to do and ideas. We labeled it "Ian's Learning Binder" since it is all about what Ian Knows or Ian Can do. Ian LOVES it!!! Everyday I hear “Can I do something in my binder?” It has been a big help to motivate him. He also likes to show Daddy his work, just like the big boys do. I think that is the biggest motivator of all!
The MEKS
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| Stickers on the things he knows... Need to update this |
It’s been working well, but it’s hard not to let life get in the way. This is probably why I could never home school my kids. I get distracted way too much. Ian makes me laugh; because sometimes I will give him something to “do” that will reinforce a skill and he will ask for a worksheet instead. Again, I think it is that idea that he has something to “show”.
Ian playing find the letter
Since my introduction to Pinterest, I have found more activity type things for Ian. I have to say I have more ideas saved than I have actually put into practice. Again, I seem to let life get in the way, I’ve set a New Year’s resolution already to be better at this whole “mommy school”. I don’t like putting it off till the New Year, but I have already seen how the holiday season REALLY messes with routines. I am trying to do more daily, but I know after the holidays we have some work to do!