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 the Earth, its place in the universe, what its made of and the creatures that live on it are all a part of understanding our place in the world and why the planet needs protection. Nature School: Planet Earth by Lauren Giordano, Stephanie Hathaway and Laura Stroup aims to inspire kids to learn about the world and explore and observe things around them.
The book starts with a wide view of the universe and solar system and where Earth fits in it. Each chapter zooms in closer, with information about the composition of the Earth, the hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere, aka life on Earth.
The chapters include short sections, fun facts and illustrations to keep kids engaged. Each chapter also includes activities kids can do, some of which involve writing in a nature journal and others that are more hands on. For example the solar system chapter asks kids to research a planet, build a solar system model and try sun printing, among other activities.
The book covers a lot of ground quickly. For example the chapter on the composition of the Earth goes over things like the Earth’s core, different kinds of soil, tectonic plates and how mountains are formed, geological characteristics and topography, different landforms and more, in the span of just a few pages.
Students around ages 6-12 should enjoy learning all about the Earth with this fun and colorful book, exploring the activities and engaging in their own investigations in the world around them. This book could supplement homeschool science learning materials or be used in the science center or library of the classroom as a reference book. Teachers could also pull activities from the book when learning about these topics in their regular science curriculum.
In addition to this book there is a companion workbook with more than 100 different activities and includes readings, puzzles, games and touches on art, reading, geography, science and more.
About the book: 144 pages, paperback. Published 2025 by Quarry Books. Suggested retail price $19.99
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:)