Once you have determined that you do need the structure for your student that Independent Work Lists provide for your school, there are many questions to answer and decisions to make. And these decisions will be different according to ages.

Here are some tips for using Independent Work Lists With Elementary Children:

1. Either make it on a chart that the child uses wipe and write markers and mount it
somewhere–or make it in Excel (or your favorite record keeping program) and place it
on a thin clip boards.

Trust me: loose papers never make it back to mom at the end of the day. (Spoken from true
experiences–plural–you would think I would have learned this the first time or two! )

2. Put things in the order of importance on the chart–in the order that you want them
done.

3. And/or put things in sections.

I used to have mine in order and sections–the first so many items needed done before the child
met with Mom or before the child had a morning snack or before lunch chores, or whatever.

Never underestimate the value of teaching children time management, prioritizing, etc. via
these daily checklists.

4. For things that you are uncertain of/change-ables, put time or generic wording, such as
“30 minutes of uninterrupted CQLA work” or “All Meaningful Composition assignments
from previous meeting with Mom,” etc.

5. Be sure to include drill work, silent reading, etc.–all the extras that you want him to do
each day.

(I even put the things that they would often do as I read aloud on this list in the section marked
“During Read-Aloud”–such as coloring in educational coloring book, penmanship page, building
something with Legos, etc.)

6. Be sure there is a time in which it is turned in each day.

If your child’s independent list is on a clip board, he can simply put the clip board on your desk
at the end of the day–all checked off and ready for the next day.

7. The Independent Work Checklist is, in part, to help keep the child moving as you are working with other kids, walking your college kids through a difficulty on the phone, or helping Grandma with something.

In other words, you want to teach your student to get up and start on the list
right away–and to go back to the list any time he is not meeting with you or doing chores, etc. (I
even put things like “Read to Jonathan for 15 minutes” and “30 minutes of morning devotional
book and journaling” on the list–everything the child does (outside of chores) was listed on this
chart.

I would love to answer questions about these daily charts. Leave your questions below—or email me, and I will get you some answers!

LINKS

For a downloadable product with a dozen charts to use with various ages, check the store here!

Video: Independent Work Lists

Audio: Independent Work Lists

Audio: Using Your Planner to Get More Done

Audio: Overcoming Parenting Obstacles

Video: Using Consequence Pies

The post How to Use Independent Work Lists for Elementary Children appeared first on Character Ink.

One of the problems that we hear about over and over again when we are out speaking is that
of students not completing everything that you want them to in any given day. AND keeping
kids on task.

Our solution: Independent Work Lists!

Independent work lists, or Daily Duties as I affectionately call them, can literally change the way
your school day goes.

The “did you do your math yet?” and the “why aren’t you practicing piano right now?” days can
be behind you if you implement and follow through with Independent Work Lists for your
children (and for you…see The Simplified Planner).

I discovered Independent Work Lists over twenty-five years ago when I had three young
students who seemed to need me all the time—along with a preschooler and a baby!

Something had to give.

I had already had success with morning routine charts and chore charts. Why couldn’t we apply
the same concept to the kids’ daily school work? A checklist that kept kids on task when I was
tied up elsewhere? Yes!

I just can’t stress enough the benefits of the Independent Work Lists–for Mom and for the
student. It takes away gray areas of parenting (something crucial that we teach in our parenting
seminars). A chart helps the child become an independent learner. It teaches many character
qualities–perseverance, prioritizing, resourcefulness, responsibility, diligence, timeliness, and
much more.

Yeah, I am pretty crazy about my twenty-five years of Independent Work Lists!

Click on the picture below to download these work lists!

General Tips

There are a lot of decisions to make in developing your children’s morning routine lists. Will it
have EVERYTHING on it or will it only have the child’s independent work on it? Will it have
chores, music practice, etc., or will it just have “school”?

What type of list will you use—a chart with pictures; a pocket approach (like for younger
children with chores); a chart on the wall; a printed sheet on a clipboard; a lesson planner (like
teachers use)? Does it matter for different ages?

In this e-book/download, I hope to answer some of these questions as well as give you sample
charts that you can print off and use with your students. But first let me answer some of those
questions based on the ages of your kids.

Here are some general tips and guidelines that I used for my kids’ Independent Work Lists
(followed later at this blog by a list of suggestions for Elementary kids and a list of suggestions for older kids).

(1) Explain to your child that this is his daily accountability list.

He is to get these things done each day.

Hint: We taught our children from their earliest recollection of school
that school is their occupation. It was what they were supposed to be about every day.

No questions asked. No exceptions (unless we parents wanted an exception for sickness
or family trips, etc.–in other words, the child doesn’t choose to do school or not do
school–ever).

(2) This is kind of another subject, but it fits here as well: A child should not go to basketball practice, Girl Scouts, youth group, or any other activity if he doesn’t do his school.

Period.

We have so many parents come up to us at conventions and say, “I just can’t get
my fifteen year old to finish his school each day, and he keeps getting further and
further behind.”

Then we ask, “Does he go to sports practice in the afternoon? Does he
go to youth group that night?’ etc. etc.

None of those things should ever happen if he
doesn’t do his school. School is non-optional.

(3) Do your part to be sure that charts are updated, printed, and ready.

I know from personal experience that if we are lax in this–they become lax real quick!

(4) Enlist your husband’s help to enforce the lists when necessary.

(5) Be sure that what you put on the list is truly independent (and this can change from
month to month as skills are increased).

(6) Use whatever method works for your family.

Some people like the list for each block of time. Some like the list for each subject area. Some people like to have kids report in
every once in a while; others do fine reporting in before “signing off” for the day.

(7) Speaking of signing off for the day from school, be sure that everything is done before
this happens.

(Do not let the child determine he’s signing off without getting signed off
by you.)

Follow us over the next week or so as I give specific tips for elementary children and specific tips for older children—and Independent Work Lists!

LINKS

For a downloadable product with a dozen charts to use with various ages, check the store here!

Video: Independent Work Lists

Audio: Independent Work Lists

Audio: Using Your Planner to Get More Done

Audio: Overcoming Parenting Obstacles

Video: Using Consequence Pies

Save

The post Introducing Independent Work Lists for Students! appeared first on Character Ink.

Find Out Your Kids’ Faves!

In my recent podcast, Ten Tips for Staying Close During Intense Training Times With Tweens and Teens, I talk about blessing and surprising your kids with little treats to bring in some fun—and make your child feel special. One way that you can keep track of each child’s favorite is to use some type of Kids’ Faves inventory/worksheet.

It just so happens that we have one for you—for free— to our newsletter subscribers. So if this sounds like something you need or want to use with your kids,scroll down to the end of this post, subscribe, download, print, and use!  (If you’re already a subscriber, go ahead and enter your email…you won’t get the newsletter twice, but you’ll still get the newsletter!)

If you don’t want to use our list, you can, of course, create your own.

Here are some tips for using such a list (from the front matter of our Kids’ Faves Worksheets):

This little tool is useful for many reasons:

(1)    It will help you with your Christmas shopping throughout the year (just pull completed sheets out if you see something on sale).
(2)    It will help you if you constantly forget (which one likes Rocky Road Ice Cream?).
(3)    It will help you plan little surprises along the way (which helps your child feel like you are thinking of him or her-because you are!).
(4)    It will help you get to know your child better.

Here are some tips for using it/implementing it: 

(1)    Have a family night in which everybody fills in all or part of it. (Since it is long, you could have them do the even questions one family night and the odd questions another family night.)

a.    Plan some things/foods, etc., that you THINK are kids’ faves … and after they turn in their sheets, tell them what you made and whose favorite you thought it was. (This is eye opening!)

b. Pass around the papers and have everybody fill them in (or half of them). We liked to do this type of thing while we listened to audio/radio dramas or fun music. Try to keep the kids from discussing as they are writing.

c. Have Mom or Dad collect them and read some answers here and there (depending on time available) and have people guess who wrote that. (This is eye opening too!)

d. Have the snacks you bought or prepared and vote on a family movie or play a family game.

(2)    Meet one on one with each child and fill it in with him or her. This helps the ones who can’t think of anything at the time since you are there to prompt them. This is especially good for younger kids or weak writers.
(3)    Make copies! Things get lost easily, and you want your kids to feel like this is important to you.
(4)    Be sure you tell them that you want to have this list to surprise them or for gift buying, etc., but tone it down a little if your kids are extremely thing-driven or have high expectations that you are ALWAYS bringing them home a Starbucks, etc. (Honestly, this works better with kids who are not over-indulged already.)
(5)    You can always get the lists out and use for dinner time discussions too. For example, “Let’s see if we can guess what Johnny’s favorite movie is,” etc. Or “I’m going to read the favorite candies lines, and we will guess whose page we think that is.” This is also a good way to help the kids focus on siblings and not just themselves.
(6)    Type this, print it, and keep each one in your purse or billfold (or scan it/take a picture of it, and store it on your phone). You want to have it at your fingertips.

Enter your email below to get the newsletter and the Kid’s Faves list for free!

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The post Product Highlight: Kid’s Faves appeared first on Character Ink.

Pin these Chores for Elementary Children on Pinterest!

Click here for colorful, printable chore lists for toddlers through tweens.

If you want more chores, efficiency, and organization help, check out the podcast episodes listed here.

The post Age Appropriate Chores for Elementary Ages appeared first on Character Ink.

Pin these Chores for Kindergarteners on Pinterest!

Click here for colorful, printable chore lists for toddlers through tweens.

If you want more chores, efficiency, and organization help, check out the podcast episodes listed here.

The post Age Appropriate Chores for Kindergarteners appeared first on Character Ink.

Pin these Chores for Preschoolers on Pinterest!

Click here for colorful, printable chore lists for toddlers through tweens.

If you want more chores, efficiency, and organization help, check out the podcast episodes listed here.

The post Age Appropriate Chores for Preschoolers appeared first on Character Ink.

General Tips

1. Decisions about what to include in list
2. Decisions about what type of chart or printable
3. Explain to child that this is his daily accountability
4. Reinforce that school is his occupation
5. Daytime is for learning and working; evenings are for family and fun
6. Expectation Explanation: nothing else until list is done
7. Keep charts updated and ready
8. Enlist husband’s help
9. Be sure it really is an independent list
10. Inspect what you expect.

Elementary (or Before!)

1. May start early
2. Chart or clip boards?
3. Wipe and write board or permanent?
4. Moveable or markable?
5. Order
   a. Of importance?
   b. Time of day?
   c. Sections/by subject?

6. Generic wording when needed (30 mins…)
7. All extra school too
8. Other things in his day (chores, music, etc.)?
9. Time to turn it in
10. How often to check on it

Junior High and High School

1. Document changes as he grows
   a. Fill in as he goes?
   b. Planner?
   c. Standard independent work list?
2. Create together?
3. Elements from earlier
   a. School is his occupation
   b. Section/order of importance
   c. Clipboards
   d. No exceptions
4. Blanks for seasonal things
5. Non dailies
6. Smaller chunks and more frequent reporting for junior high kids or less independent high schoolers
7. All things on it
8. Time slots/start time and finish time?

See E-Book “Daily Duties: Independent Check Sheets for Students” for more ideas as well as for several types of charts that you can print off and use.

Sign up for the newsletter to get this as a freebie in your inbox!

LINKS

The Simplified Planner
Age Appropriate Chore Posters
Consequence Pies e-book
Podcast: How Do I Turn My Day from Chaos to Control? From Rowdy to Routine?
Podcast: Foundations for Becoming an Efficiency Expert in Your Home
Five Homeschooling Problems and Solutions
Ten Ways to Stay Close During Intense Training Times

Click here to listen to the podcast!

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The post Podcast Notes for “Independent Work Lists for All Ages” appeared first on Character Ink.

Donna Reish, author at Character Ink Press and Raising Kids With Character, brings you answers to your Independent Work Lists questions, or Daily Duties, as Donna likes to call them. In this episode, Donna talks in general about charts for kids’ daily independent work, including what kinds of charts, what order to put tasks, how to teach children to use them, and more. Then she delves into two age groups of chart users: elementary and junior high/high school. In those parts, Donna talks about how much help/oversight/structure a younger child might need in order to get his independent list done each day and then she branches out into helping our older kids become more independent and stronger in time management. Donna briefly introduces her ebook/download, “Daily Duties: Independent Check Sheets for Students,” which can be found at the Character Ink store.

Download the podcast notes here.

Listen to previous podcasts here.

See E-Book “Daily Duties: Independent Check Sheets for Students” for more ideas as well as for several types of charts that you can print off and use.

Sign up for the newsletter to get this as a freebie in your inbox!

Save

The post Podcast: Independent Work Lists for All Ages appeared first on Character Ink.

Pin this chore list on Pinterest!

Click here to buy colorful, printable chore lists for toddlers through tweens.

If you want more chores, efficiency, and organization help, check out the podcast episodes listed here.

The post Age Appropriate Chores for Toddlers appeared first on Character Ink.

This was definitely me before I started keeping running grocery lists in the NOTES on my phone.

I don’t want fancy grocery apps. I don’t go to several stores a week, etc.I don’t want handfuls of coupons. I just want a quick list with healthy foods on it! 🙂

Here is what I do:

1) A different page in my notes for each store I go to plus Amazon. (For me, that is Sam’s, Kroger, and Amazon. Plus a page for when my husband runs into Walmart once or twice a month.)

2) The bottom of each page has the ongoing list of the things I usually get there…somewhat grouped by area (though I will admit that the notes section is not nearly as user friendly as a WORD doc!).

3) The top of the list has the current grocery list for that week (or the next week…I alternate Sam’s then Kroger’s, etc.). I have been adding to this since the last time I was at that particular store.

4) When it is time to go, I do the following:

a. I ask everybody what needs added and add those items to the top.

b. I look at the meat sales and produce sales quickly (as in while I am getting my cart in the front of the store).

c. I decide sort of what we are eating next week. (With only four of us at home, this is not a huge deal…plus, I have my freezer entrees.)

d. If there are good meat sales, I add that meat in bulk a little– plus anything else it takes to make a few freezer entrees out of that meat (to the top for today). (I.e. If ground beef is on sale, and I just used our last lasagna, I will add eight pounds of ground beef and the lasagna ingredients for four pans of lasagna.)

e. I skim the bottom of the page (where the “things I often buy at this store” list is). If I remember we are low on something, I add it to the top.

5) Then I shop!

I had much more elaborate systems (too elaborate!) when we had seven kids at home, homeschooling–all meals and snacks at home! But this works for our little family right now and for the number of hours each week I am working.

Even if this is too simple for your home, I hope that you will see that sometimes “less is more.” Sometimes we make things harder than they need to be. Sometimes it doesn’t have to as long and laborious as we think it does.

KISS—Keep It Simple, Sister! 🙂

The post Using the Notes App on Your Phone for Grocery Shopping appeared first on Character Ink.