I have been a flake writing & linking up to the weekly wrap up. So I am going to start sharing “The Daily Basket” with you!
The daily basket is a basket full of little odd projects for when I hear, “can we play wii” or more famously, “I’m bored”. That translates to nails on a chalkboard for me. During the weekend I grab a few things here and there and label them with sticky notes. (5yr old needs direction).
The basket comes in handy when I’m working longer with one child, getting ready for the next lesson, taking a call, or when they start needing direction before disobedience strikes.
Since I’m on a stop lecturing kick, I direct them to the Daily Basket. I have been trying to come up with a few projects the boys can work on together, separate, just for fun, but still educational and challenging. I do not refill the basket until it’s empty (that way they can’t pick one thing and then whine they have nothing to do).
The Daily Basket 4th Week of February
- Water Colors – Houses of Parliment by Monet
- We Choose Virtues – Attentive verses
- Ancient Greece – Read how Athena was born
- Wildflowers Field Guide – questions
- Create Moai out of play doh (Easter Island Heads)
- Lego Challenge – Brazil (from our Little Passports)
This has been a tough week for us since hubs came home from China horribly sick. Keeping boys quiet is a challenge, and much easier with projects in the daily basket!
Do you create down time activities?
That is a super great idea! Love the Lego challenge! I always tell my girls if they are bored — they get chores! I think your idea would be a much bigger hit here!
girl, we were so bored they finished ALL their chores! I like that they’re still learning while being creative!
We have the same kind of basket. (great minds..) Right now, I have brain teaser books, magnifying glasses, a skeleton puzzle, a brain puzzle, clay, paper, colored pencils and a couple random books in the basket. The contents rotate every week or so. I loved your sticky notes and themed ideas. Going to try that!
of course you have one – I expect a full science lab full of fun experiments at your place, along with some dry ice!!
Great idea! I don’t have a Down Time Box, but I might just pull one together. The kiddos have been watching WAY too much TV lately!
mine were playing too much wii!! It has helped out a lot!
I love this, trying to figure out how to introduce it with my kids since they are older(14 and 12). Would break up the day some though and get us out of our typical routine if I had them choose something not when they were bored but as a small “break” from our regular school work
For my 10yr old – I add some additions to his work / reading. (Like he is reading Sea of Monsters now, so he’s also learning about Greek Mythology, geography, etc.)
What an awesome idea! I’m not sure I intentionally create things for down time anymore. I’m thinking now, however, that I should. Normally, during down time, my oldest is reading a book and my youngest is playing LEGOS, but I think some different activities would be great.
Thanks for the inspiration!
REALLY?! I thought for sure you had some Lego challenges going on between lessons!! Thanks for stopping by!