Ideas and resources
I am always looking for a great way to get my children to do their chores without me having to ‘communicate’ every step to them the entire time they are doing it. This chore chart/board looks like the perfect way to accomplish my goal, and I think even the 3 year old can understand it! Head on over to Rock it Like June Cleaver for her great post on how she made the chore chart, along with some great tips on how to have a successful chore-loving child! Could it be true?
Learning about Hanukkah is important for people of all faiths as a reminder that December isn’t just about Christmas and that their are many other important holidays that happen during this time. Hanukkah unit studies can give you ideas for incorporating the holiday into your holiday studies that happen in December, or to use at home for learning about people of different faiths.
Homeschool Superfreak has a lot of basic ideas for how to build a Hanukkah unit study, as well as FAQs about what Hanukkah is and why it is celebrated. This list is a good stargint point but doesn’t include all the details you’ll need. For example it says you can play the dreidel game but doesn’t explain how to do that or why it’s important. (If you need that information, this post from Mama Smiles is a good source.)
Teachers Pay Teachers has lots of great lesson plans and activities if you’re willing to pay a little bit to get some good content. Two I really like are this Hanukkah PowerPoint presentation from Shelia Melton, which provides a good overview of traditions, food and the history of Hanukkah; and a virtual field trip to Jerusalem from MagiCore, which includes lots of videos showing the city and activities like playing dreidel, drawing a menorah and making latkes. It’s a Google Drive folder and also includes writing activities and more for kids in second to fifth grade.
Kids Activities Blog has some simple printables with facts about Hanukkah and things kids can color in like a Star of David, sufganiyots (jelly doughnuts) and a menorah. These are great for learning the basics.
Homeschool Giveaways has a printable ebook about Hanukkah complete with questions kids can answer after they read. This would be a good one for older kids with good reading comprehension.
NurtureStore’s Hanukkah unit study includes a printable mini book, tons of crafts, as well as math and writing activities. I love the dominoes game that’s part of the unit.
And check out our previous posts for more Hanukkah crafts and learning activities!
Great chore board!! Colorful and fun. I do something similar, but a bit simpler and smaller. I have two sons. I have four library pockets on the fridge. One pair for each son. Each morning/throughout the day, I place flash cards in their library pockets of things they need to do before they go to bed. Once completed, the cards go into their “completed” pocket. It is their responsibility at the end of the day to bring me their completed cards pocket and we go check out their work together. If they don’t bring the cards to me, they don’t get credit. (Just as if an employee doesn’t punch in or out his/her time card-they may not get paid). If they whine or complain, or don’t do the chore to acceptable (not perfect) standards, they redo the chore and receive no $ for the chore. At the end of the week they get receive their “Commission.” For a job done above and beyond, they can receive a bonus (extra $). They can also earn no money and have to pay “Mom” back with extra chores or lost electronic time if they did a poor job or had a poor attitude.
Just thought I’d share as I know sharing helps others find a plan that works for them. 🙂
That’s another great idea! Thanks for sharing…perhaps that’s a good way to start out since my kids are so young:)