Peek into a 2nd Grader’s Homeschool Workbox

I cannot believe my firstborn is a 2nd Grader! Lira has been so excited about promotion and she has tackled her workboxes with abandon. Of course, I have learned two little motivational tricks to help her stay on task:

1. Put her fun workboxes last. If she isn’t finished with her work by lunch time, the fun boxes have to wait until the next day.
2. Use a timer. This is a last resort because she hates it and I really want her learning to be self-driven. However, when she has sat staring into space for an hour, it’s time to set the timer.

The majority of Lira’s workboxes are always inhabited by curriculum. For the sake of saving time and my sanity, I just tear the pages from her workbooks and put them in the boxes. Box #1 is always math because that is her favorite and it helps me get her started.

If you are looking at the picture and wondering where Box #4, #5, and #11 are, these are marked on her workcard for snack, potty break (because she has to be reminded or she will hold it forever) and computer time.

One of her favorite activities is actually file folder games. This one helps her practice basic addition and subtraction. Colorful File Folder Games, Grade 2: Skill-Building Center Activities for Language Arts and Math is such an easy resource since you just tear the games out and paste them into a folder. Love it when it is easy for me and enjoyable for her.

Language Arts journaling has become one of her favorite things too. I love the Mead Primary Journal because it allows space for her to draw a picture and write about what she illustrated. I really did not think this would be a big hit and put it into her box with a bit of apprehension but the next day, when it was not in a box, Lira asked for it. SCORE!

And, this is where I need to brag on my husband. Bill is an extremely talented musician. I have known this since before we knew one another’s names. However, I did not know what an excellent teacher he was until he started working with Lira. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that she is soaking up the lessons like a sponge and basking under the praise of her Daddy.

A couple of times each week, I put her piano books into a workbox to remind her to practice.

This week, Lira also enjoyed our apple taste test. I made it a little more interesting for her by asking her to investigate the texture, smell and taste for differences instead of just telling her to pick her favorite.

Do you have a 2nd grader? Please let me know what you are doing in the comments. I would love to know.