5th grade workboxes- Rome to Reformation

We  have been using workboxes since 2nd grade, and still love them.  Each year we adjust for our needs and growing independence, but I can't imagine going back.   This system has been about fostering independence in learning, while allowing me to work one-on-one with each child when needed.

We still use  My Father's World for 5th grade, we are on Rome to Reformation of the family cycle this year.  We use our own choices for Art, Math, Spelling, and Music (see contents of workboxes for our choices).

TOGETHER TIME

Together Time is done with ALL the kids in your house, before individual subjects begins.  It is usually done on the couch in our house.

• HISTORY- Usually reading, and maybe a project from the teacher's manual, like Roman Helmets 

• SCIENCE- Usually some reading, and maybe make a model from The Body Book: Easy-to-Make Hands-on Models That Teach



Low Res- Real Life picture of together time on the couch, no make-up!
 KEEPIN IT REAL!

I keep my manual in a bag next to the couch, along with the books for the week.  

Making clay tablets for history.  My kids like to work on the game chest in the living room, instead of dining room table.

WORKBOXES

Each child has his own 10 Drawer Cart, with a different order to each subject.  The different order allows me to work one-on-one with them for Math and Language Arts.  

The varying order also enables me to play on their strengths, and weaknesses.  I learned that I have to put art in the last workbox for one of my children, because he will get so sidetracked drawing that he will forget to do the rest of his work.  My other child seems to do better with Math earlier in the morning, so I make sure it is one of his first workboxes.

The box stays pulled out for whatever subject they are working on.
This gives me and them a visual idea of where they are in their morning.
 

BOX 1. Science

• 1st semester- The Body Book: Easy-to-Make Hands-on Models That Teach
• 2nd semester-Astronomy Notebooking Journal for Exploring Creation with Astronomy 

We usually do science during together, but use the workbox for storage of their notebooks, body models, or science worksheets.

BOX 2. Root Words
English from the Roots Up- We usually do root words during together, but use the workbox for storage of their work.

BOX 3.  History
MFW Rome to Reformation Notebook Pages.  Again, we usually do these during together time, but the workbox is where we store the, when done.

BOX 4. Math
We have used Math U See since kindergarten, and love it!

BOX 5.  Art
This can be a myriad of items: ours is usually a page from Draw and Write Through History  or a page from Minecrafters: Math Coloring Book  (Math Drills disguised as art)!

BOX 6. Spelling
We love  Spelling - By Sound and Structure - Grade 5. It is almost completely done independently throughout the week, with a test each Friday.  I also like that it makes my children practice their cursive.

BOX 7. English
 Language Lessons for Today- Grade 5, recommended by MFW.  I do this subject individually with each child, but I leave a blank notebook in this work box.

BOX 8. Writing
 Writing Strands, Level 3 & Writing Strands, Level 4. I leave a blank notebook in this work box.

BOX 9.Music/Piano 
 We have used FREE piano lessons Hoffman Academy since 2nd grade.

BOX 10. Typing
 Can not say enough good things about  www.Typing.com .  You can make your own teacher portal, and kids get their own sign ins. During typing, they have to do 3-5 screens, then they are allowed to play 10 minutes of typing games (also on the Typing.com website)

Typing time.

AGENDA

I used to put a note in each work box, but I learned it was a lot of work to write a different assignment on 10 different boxes each day. I can now put assignments on the daily agenda.  This is a lot less work for me. The work boxes are still an essential, because they dictate each child's order, and store all their books and papers. 

Our Daily Agenda

Our English, Drawing Through History, and Writing Stands Books are all stored next to agenda.

I HOPE THIS HELPS SOMEONE!  

ASK ME IN COMMENTS IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS!

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