Last week we began a modified version of the new schedule, and it was wonderful to see such a positive change in everyone. The kids' daily words of affirmation were definitely matched by their actions. Since the implementation of the full schedule the older kids have been up on time and completed all their chores before I've even come downstairs to prepare breakfast!!
For almost two weeks now, before we sit and eat breakfast, we start our morning with prayers and a reading from the gospel, followed by a brief discussion. The overall change in the atmosphere has been unbelievable! I am truly loving this new focus and energy in the house, for it has really helped the days run more smoothly.
For those that have been waiting to see our new schedule and the transformation of the dungeon, let me give you the grand tour.
The first major change we made to our schedule last week was to re-instill our read aloud times and a strict quiet time in the afternoons. This has made a tremendous difference. We also instilled our new table time and project time routines. This has worked really well with the older children, but we haven't quite worked out all the table time details with the younger kids. Right now, I am working on reorganizing our table time shelves with homemade Montessori materials. I haven't quite worked out a system for the younger children yet, but things are beginning to come together as I learn more and more everyday . I will post more on this later.
On the way down to the learning room we have a landing. It formally was a wasted space but has now been converted into the perfect 'Religious Corner'. The ledge holds all our saint, prayer and religious books. The little table is used by the children to practice their Catechesis of Good Shepherd work during the week. This peaceful cove has also worked well when little ones need to spend sometime with our Lord to readjust their spirits ;-)
At the bottom of the steps we have another landing that was previously used for our office / computer desk. Our 18mos was becoming a big problem constantly getting into all the file folders and office supplies, so we converted this space into the "Kids Corner". In the front of the picture you will see the gate my husband built to separate this space from the main learning room with all the stations. The door on the right leads to a closet that hosts the water heater. This area has now been upgraded into a wonderful closet where we keep all our computer paper, construction paper, and other office supplies.
The door to the left leads to an unfinished room that hosts all the water pipes and plumbing for the kitchen and bathrooms. This too was wasted space and was only used to store junk. Until we converted it into the "Music & Entertainment Center". We moved our old piano (in desperate need of refurbishing), music instruments, dress up costumes, entertainment center for educational videos etc into this room. We bought a piece of carpet for the cement floor, put in some florescent lights and lined the floor board walls with Borax (to keep the critters down to a minimum) and the kids are thrilled!!
After entering the gate, immediately to the left you will see our "Fine Arts Center". Here you see our 11yod studying and copying a painting made by Grandma Moses. We are currently studying this artist for art appreciation. At each learning center we have small cork boards where we keep each student's instruction cards. As you can see they're all different colors. Each student has their own color so even the little ones, that can't read yet, know at which centers they get to do projects. You will also notice that at each center we tried to have cubby holes/shelves. The bottom shelf stores their notebooks, and the top shelf will be for any library books or living books specifically related to the topic they will be studying at that center.
Next we have our 'Math & Cognitive Skills' shelves where we keep our math manipulatives, games, logical puzzles, etc. This is not really a formal learning center but serves as a corner for the kids to practice concepts that they learned in their table time lessons. I would have to say right now it is mostly used by my 4yod who is going through a stage of putting together puzzles.
Immediately to the right is our "Language & Computer Lab" center. Here we keep track of current literature studies, literary elements, grammar, written narrations, dictations, research skills, etc. I plan on implementing some Montessori concepts in the near future for the younger ones. This will also be the center where they can practice learning any foreign languages. Our next foreign language unit of study will be sign language. We have begun collecting some wonderful resources, but hands down our favorite so far has been the Signing Time DVDs. Our goal is to learn enough vocabulary words to teach our 18mos before the terrible tantrums
One of the improvements we made was to install an Internet filtering program called Safe Eyes. This particular program came highly recommended and we can't say enough with how impressed we have been so far. Having this program has allowed the older children to do on-line research without an adult having to be present, and with all the parental controls, we feel they are quite safe. The program is set up with a wide range of accountability measures so we can monitor their Internet activities at any time.
Next we set up the "Nature & Science" Center. We wanted it next to the computer lab because there always seems to be some kind of research needing to be done on-line. On the right you see our book shelves where we primarily keep reference and whole/living books on scientific and nature topics. Underneath the table, in the drawers we store Leaf and Flower Presses, Bug Magnifiers, Dissection Kits, and our Home-school Science Adventure Kits.
My intentions were to finish our Microscopic Explorations unit of study but God had other plans this early Spring ;-). At the beginning of last week the kids for some reason got on an evening routine of collecting field crickets. The next thing I knew our insect guides and Pets in Jar book was off the shelf, and we had three separate containers with 5 or 6 crickets. All the kids could talk about was crickets. I took hold of this wonderful opportunity, and after looking up some books at the library and some fun science experiments in our Creepy Crawlies book, I came up with a list of ideas for each student in our Cricket Unit Study. Later, this week I will post in our Nature & Science basket a listing of all the books we found.
Next to the Nature & Science shelves I have another bookcase with all my home-school reference books, sewing books, and craft books. This is where we set up the "Sewing & Crafts" Center. At the end of a unit of study many times we like to either create a play / puppet show, make a book, lap book, or create a non-consumable game. These make for excellent reviews and can involve all the kids. The Sewing & Crafts center will be where we store all those supplies and complete those projects. Currently, I have been busy (with my daughters' help) making several Montessori materials.
Next you see our "Reading Corner". I think this is one of my personal favorites. I wanted a 'nook' that was peaceful and comfortable. We dressed up the windows and patio doors, covered the sofa, which had been pretty badly beaten up by the cats and several years of hard use, hung a couple potted plants and some artwork, added a reading lamp and a music box for relaxing music. With a family of avid readers this corner has been well used so far :-).
Last but not least we wanted to put our "Social Studies" Center next to the Reading Corner. No explanation needed there ;-)... On the left our bookshelves which host a set of 1970 World book encyclopedias, many history and geography reference books, and many of our favorite living books from previous historical unit studies. Right now, my 10yod and my 7yos are completing a grid map and making plans to begin a play dough map of Fort McAllister for our Civil War Unit Study.
Well this concludes the tour of our new and improved learning room for Knotty Pines Academy. I hope you have enjoyed the tour. We look forward to sharing more of our learning adventures in the near future.
