This year we have been earning stars. I have a chart on the wall where they can see our progress. We earn stars for starting on time, for A's on tests and for 100% on quizzes. Once we reach 100 we have a special prize. This past time it was to go back to Fanning Springs.
On the other side of the park is beautiful boardwalks. It led on the other side of the spring and towards the Suwanee River. So many things to see!
And then we swam! I'll be honest...it was cold outside and I was fighting having enough courage to just get in! The spring water stays a consistent 72. So, it took me a looooong time to actually get in. But, once I did it was so fun to swim around with my kiddos. We had such a good time! And we enjoyed the Florida beauty all around us.
So proud of my children and how hard they've been working!
We love state parks too. We homeschool year round to avoid that burn out, but take like 6 weeks off in the summer and do “summer school” for about an hour a day to have structure. During the summer time, we listen to read aloud for longer and work on things like painting, knitting, woodwork, etc. We don’t do tests (all of our current homeschooled kids have special needs), but mine earn points for effort and attitude. Every two weeks, they cash in those points for a certain amount of toppings on their ice cream. When they are tempted to grump, I remind them “is that really worth losing chocolate syrup?”
ReplyDeleteI’ve been enjoying the current study you’ve been posting as well. Thank you.
I love these ideas!!! I love the time in summer for the kids to do fun projects too. Sometimes during the schoolyear that kind of thing doesn't happen as much. But, there is so much learning to be done in everyday projects!
DeleteI love the idea of buying toppings. :o) How cute! And something my kiddos would really work for, too!
It's always good to have motivational activities by offering kids rewards. It sounds like your idea was perfect.
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