Learning to work independently

We are all getting bored with the usual daily routine of school and ready for something different. I want to keep school fun and interesting and not let it turn into a miserable chore. I would like her build up her confidence regarding school work. I know what she can do but she is afraid to be wrong. I'd like her to see what she can accomplish on her own without any “hand holding”. So after a little brainstorming this week we tried out an independent work project. Lili was given some ideas of projects she could do that would involve a few school subjects, that she could do mostly on her own and that were also fun and involved some playing. She decided on a project to plan a party. She first wrote out her guest list (printing and spelling) and then created invitations (art). To plan for the party she used a grocery store advertisement (made by me) to create the menu for her party and figure the cost for all of the food she would need. She then counted out that amount of real money to “buy” her groceries. This was all done with play food and the guests were myself, Gabi and a few dolls. So we were able to really have the party. Lili then set up her party and we played for awhile. She enjoyed this project and worked on writing/spelling and math/money both of which are not normally her favorites. They were also used in a real life way which seems to make things stick. I need to get creative and think of more project ideas.

In addition to this project we did do some formal work such as cursive practice but that is still her favorite so no trouble there. We also read lots of books and also played a money game that I saw in one of our Family Fun magazines. This was another fun way to practice counting money. One person choses several coins and counts up the total amount of money. They tell the other player how much money they have and how many coins they have. That player has to try and figure out what coins the first player is holding. We used paper and pencil to help figure it out. One of Lili's Christmas gifts was a chemistry set. We have starting doing some of the activities. We have tested the ph of different liquids such as salt water, baking soda in water, citric acid in water, apple juice, lemonade, milk, etc... Afterwards we kept the cups with salt water, baking soda in water and citric acid in water and let them sit out. The water has been evaporating and leaving behind fun creations. Lili has liked this part the best and show everyone who comes over. She really liked the way the salt left behind salt “crystals” and the baking soda is now a disc shaped solid piece of baking soda.

Sorry no pictures, I need to get on the ball with that. Next week we will keep the camera close by.

"The idea of learning acceptable social skills in school is as absurd to me as the idea of learning nutrition from a grocery store." ~ Lisa Russell