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August 27th, 2012 | 
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The checklist is meant to help them know what is expected of them each week. And no. We don’t always get it all done. But we try. 
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I am absolutely blown away by this! I think it’s a great idea… but I have no idea where to start. I’ll have to study this page to get more ideas. At what age do you let your kids loose with these pages to work on their own? I know that there is NO way my 6yo boy could handle this level of responsibility – I can’t even get him to do a line of handwriting on his own without continual supervision! I’d love to hear more about how you manage your homeschool – any and all details are loved and appreciated, though I know you don’t have much time for blogging!
Hi Diana! Our kids begin with their own checklist in 2nd grade. Until then I really just do a very short schoolday with them and it doesn’t need a list. One thing I have noticed is that our children really thrive with the list- it allows them to see exactly what is expected and so they know that an end is in sight each day
In first grade, I’d suggest very short lessons and lots of play time. Enjoy the time, it goes by fast! -heidi
I’ll have to give it a try! It looks rather overwhelming, but I think it would work for us. Last year we started “kindergarten,” when our son was 5yo, but it was rather a pretense so that he could move up with his AWANA class – we did some stuff, but not much (and most of it was a complete bomb due to readiness issues). So this year we are officially 1st grade, but really kindergarten. We’re doing Bible/prayer, phonics, a bit of writing, and a bit of math – not much, and it’s under an hour. I think I’m doing most of the learning, and it’s a steep learning curve!
I was privileged to hear you speak three or four times at the AFHE convention last month, and it was a tremendous blessing – you are awesome, and God is using you for awesome things!! Keep up the good work!!
And sometime when you have time (ha ha!) – please blog more about notebooking! That was such an exciting concept in your workshops!!
Blessings to you and the family!
And here is ours! Thanks again!!
Diana
http://whiningpuker.blogspot.com/2012/12/finding-what-works-checklists.html
What do you use to create your checklist for your kids? Is it a program or a word document? Thanks.
Hi Jennifer! I use a Mac, and this was done with a program called Pages. The checkboxes are just images I found online. Hope that helps!
If you want to set-up repeatable checklists and routines you can use this application:
Gtdagenda.com
You can use it to manage your goals, projects and tasks, set next actions and contexts, use checklists, and a calendar.
Syncs with Evernote and Google Calendar, and also comes with mobile version, and Android and iPhone apps.
Awesome! Thank you!
One more thing on your checklists – if you would ever like to post some more of these (different students, ages, etc.), I would LOVE to see them!! This seems like such an awesome ideas, and I am working on my ideas for the future.
Have a great week!
I have a SUPER simple version of this that both my kids use. I created something called “daily” work. Ex: read 1hr fun, read 1hr subject, devotional, math. Then I have each day with their daily +/- stuff. Ex: Monday – daily + library. Tuesday – daily + documentary on subject. You get the point. Also – since both kids use it they hold each other accountable! Bonus!
*love* this idea!
Lists have always been our best tool here at home as well.
I post ours on the refrigerator front, and side.
They check off as they go along..it helps me and it helps them to stay on target.
Thanks for showing us the actual page from one week.
It helps.
So at what age do you transfer them to this? Do you care how much they do each day? Just curious as to how this plays out in real life. Right now, I am writing out what they do on each day of the week for each subject area. I think that my 8 yr old could move into this but my husband isn’t so sure.
Thanks for the help.
I start a list with my kids in about 4th grade, depending on the child. Keep it simple—it helps.
I used a modified version with my boys. It didn’t look quite so organized because I didn’t use any text books or set curriculum until they were middle school age. The first text I used was an old pre-algebra book from the local community college.
i was printing them out, but now i get the “teacher lesson plan” books (from target for $1, have to love that dollar section!!) i cover the word teacher with a label and put the child’s name. that way it’s broken down by day and subject, but the kids know it’s ok if they don’t do it on a specific day so long as it’s done by the end of the week (and they usually finish one day before moving on to the next). it helps keep them on track, before they were doing all the “good stuff” first, then at the end of the week they had a lot of things that they didn’t want to do and would miss out on friday afternoon (whichever kids are done with their work by friday afternoon get to pick an activity from what i’m offering that week, maybe a movie, the park, going out to lunch, etc.)
Great idea!
Gotta keep it fresh. I’m all for lists, no matter how they happen!