Ideas for incentives to get work done more quickly

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sharonb
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Location: FL

Ideas for incentives to get work done more quickly

Post by sharonb » Wed Jun 17, 2009 10:54 am

I mentioned this in another post, but wanted to address it specifically. My dd (7 years old, just starting 2nd grade) takes FOREVER to get her math and reading done. She stops to sharpen her pencil every few minutes, and writes VERY slowly (because she wants to use her best handwriting). I think her biggest issue, however, is a huge tencency towards distraction. She has to watch every little thing that her siblings are doing. I need to get this issue resolved, because although we started our new school year a few weeks ago, we've yet to have a day where we get everything done. If we get the 3R's done, we don't get to history/science/etc. If we start with history/science/etc, we don't finish the 3R's. This is only a problem with dd. My almost-6-year-old (1st grade) gets his work done very quickly. It's funny- he's the one who always has ants in his pants, yet when it comes to schoolwork, he buckles down and gets it done.

Here's some things we have tried:
She couldn't go outside to play with her brothers until her reading lesson was done. (Not sure if she really minded that, because it's been so hot!)
She has to get her math lesson done by 1:00 or else ???? (I give her time limits, yet haven't been able to really figure out good consequences/rewards).

Anyway, any suggestions from those of you who have been there would be great. Other than the extreme dawdling, dd is a great student and does very well with school.

netpea
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Re: Ideas for incentives to get work done more quickly

Post by netpea » Wed Jun 17, 2009 5:17 pm

Oh my goodness, you are describing my oldest (9 on Friday). Most of the advice I've gotten on this issue is have a set schedule and set a timer for each subject. When the timer beeps move on. Now I have trouble sticking to this because I never liked schedules and that is part of our problem. So I'm still working on it! :roll:
Lee Ann
DD3 - LHTH
DD10 - no longer schooled at home
DS12 - no longer schooled at home

Have used LHTH, LHFHG, BLHFHG, and BHFHG
http://netpea.blogspot.com

Catherine
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Re: Ideas for incentives to get work done more quickly

Post by Catherine » Wed Jun 17, 2009 9:02 pm

If it's a distraction issue, could you put her in a quiet room/area where she could focus better? Or perhaps you can set up a little "office" for her. Stand up some folders or binders on the table to block her view of what is happening around her. We used to do this when I taught K and the kids got such a kick out of being in an "office". :) Just a thought!
~8 yr old DD
~6 yr old DD
~4 yr old DS
~2 yr old DS

mollie73
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Joined: Sun May 31, 2009 5:19 pm

Re: Ideas for incentives to get work done more quickly

Post by mollie73 » Wed Jun 17, 2009 9:38 pm

I think the timer is great, but sometimes my children don't really understand how much 5, 10, 30 minutes is. I'm thinking of getting a timer I saw that's a stop light. You can set it to turn yellow to show they are half done, or there's five minutes left, then it turns red when the time's up. It uses very large numbers that the child can see it readily. I think it's good visualization. So if you use a timer and she completes each activity or assignment before the timer runs out, maybe she could get a marble. If you have, say 50 marbles in a container and she is able to transfer all 50 to an other container, she receives a reward. Perhaps breakfast out with mom or dad; or any reward of your choosing. These types of systems help us.

Mollie

WigglesMom

Re: Ideas for incentives to get work done more quickly

Post by WigglesMom » Thu Jun 18, 2009 2:28 am

How is your day setup and is this behavior when she is wondering what the other kids are doing school wise or play wise? Are they all sitting there doing their work except dd or is dd doing her work and wondering what is going on in another room?
Since she is doing a different reading and math than her siblings, have you tried having her do it first while the younger kids play before starting their schooling or altogether schooling? I let my younger kids play while I start with my oldest on Reading and Math. An hour before the others join the table, me and her are by ourselves so she can concentrate. I actually have scheduled each individual child's reading and math where it is one on one and I can really work with them and they can focus at the task at hand.
Do you have a written schedule? I've found with my girls that they can visualize how much time is left and how much longer until lunch or recess if they have a copy of our daily schedule in their binder to reference.
Some advise-don't give an or else if there isn't a specific consequence to it. If you aren't done, no tv, video game, dessert...you supply what you think would drive the point home. I have been known to set the timer. When it goes off, we move to the next subject no matter what. I just pick up whatever was supposed to be finished and when the others have computer time, tv time, recess...whatever break is next...the unfinished item comes back out and we try again with the timer...if she doesn't finish it again, then same thing until eventually it is finished and she realizes it is pretty rotten not to get breaks. Most of the time though a little break from it and they finish the 2nd time around pretty quickly.
With my ds6, if he finishes all of his work for the day then he can play playstation for 30 minutes. Maybe there is a reward that she would help her to be willing to speed up her work. A right then reward...something that she could do or have that very day.
I hope it gets better.
Val

FiveLittlePeaches
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Re: Ideas for incentives to get work done more quickly

Post by FiveLittlePeaches » Thu Jun 18, 2009 6:19 am

We did R&S 2nd grade and HOD this year, and I'm familar with your situation and the materials. Here are my thoughts, because it might not be about "incentives", but the workload itself.

Personally, I think there is a HUGE jump from R&S 1st to R&S 2nd grade Reading. My daughter also dwadled with the R&S 2nd Reading workbook, the reason being the assignments are so L-O-N-G -- five and sometimes six pages in length! I mean, that is going to take up a considerable amount of time anyway.

My daughter was also easily distracted, or you might say frustrated. Sometimes she would just stare at the book. I figured out she hated the pages that required a lot of writing, so I finally decided let her answer the questions verbally and I would write down the answers. There were other types of exercises that she enjoyed working through independently. Just figuring out what was causing the delays helped us come to a solution. Is there possibly too much writing for your 7 year old daughter?

I am also attempting R&S 2nd grade math and Singapore, but we're doing it on alternating days. We just started Singapore 1B yesterday, but the kids loved it. Mainly, I think, because it was like a game and it didn't require a lot of writing. We'll see how it goes.

This is what I learned about R&S math especially for my family -- it needs to be done with the teacher's manuel in order to be successful. When my children finished R&S 1st grade, I knew they were ready for the 2nd grade material. Again, assuming your daughter did well in 1st grade, and learned her math facts well, is there too much writing? Or does she need more review?

One of the best aspects of homeschooling, I think, is figuring out ways to help your children learn and what works best for them. I wish you the best, and I hope you can find a workable solution.

Joy

sharonb
Posts: 459
Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 1:11 pm
Location: FL

Re: Ideas for incentives to get work done more quickly

Post by sharonb » Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:39 pm

Dd is definitely ready for the 2nd grade material. She is a great reader and knows her math facts very well. She is able to write lots and lots without getting tired too. We have a playroom/schoolroom, and we are all in there together. We have tried doing school in the kitchen before, but it was too hard to keep all the books organized and in one place. I do like having a schoolroom, so that all of my books are within reach. BUT, it's also the playroom, so there's lots going on in there! But even if everyone is quietly reading or coloring, she still wants to look around and see what they are doing. I could send her into the kitchen to work, but then I'd have to be back and forth checking on her and helping her (I do need to give her some instruction here and there, especially since we are still getting used to the new format of 2nd grade vs. 1st grade).

As for schedules, I have tried to make one. I have no idea how some of you do it. Between the nursing baby and the potty-training toddler, I have constant interruptions. That's not even counting trying to keep up with the laundry/dishes, and making sure I think about what's for supper sometime before 5 pm! (We cook 3X/day here, and most things are from scratch, so I spend a LOT of time in the kitchen). Plus this time of year people drop by with vegetables from their gardens (a HUGE blessing; dh is the pastor and the members are really taking care of us) and we spend a lot of time cleaning/cooking/freezing/canning those. I'm sure in a couple of months things will settle down, but right now I'm thinking a schedule is impossible! But we do need to do some school during the summer, because dh has Fridays off, so I'll want to be able to continue a 4-day school week.

When I have more time I'll read through your replies again plus ponder some of Carrie's suggestions on my other thread. Thanks so much!

WigglesMom

Re: Ideas for incentives to get work done more quickly

Post by WigglesMom » Thu Jun 18, 2009 1:47 pm

Having a better look into your day really helps me to picture your dd doing school. The playroom/schoolroom scenario catches my attention. If my dc where watching the others play, then we would have even more focus issues than we do right now.
I wish that we had a spare room for school. We have to use the table. Is your dd at a desk? or is it still a table type of setting? This is an idea from one of my favorite homeschooling Mom's blog that I liked and had thought about doing with my oldest. If you scroll down to a new mini-office, you will see an example of everything and a link to her printables. She gives detailed instructions on how to make one. I love her blog. Here are some pictures from her blog that show her mini-office for her daughter Sprite.
Image
Image
Here is the link to the blog page it is on. Scroll to a new mini-office and you will see it as well as the free printables link.
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Jimmie ... sm=&thisd=
I had forgotten about it and now I am wanting to go ahead and make one for my dd while it is fresh in my memory and while the bug has bitten so to speak.
Val

FiveLittlePeaches
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Re: Ideas for incentives to get work done more quickly

Post by FiveLittlePeaches » Thu Jun 18, 2009 2:28 pm

Hi Sharonb,

I just wanted to pop in and say I wasn't trying to imply your daughter wasn't ready for 2nd grade reading, or any other subject for that matter! :oops: All I meant to say was that the amount of pages in the R&S reading seems like a lot, compared to what they had the children do in first grade. In my mind, I was picturing my own daughter sitting on the sofa, staring at her workbook, not wanting to do the writing. Guess I have that image ingrained in my brain.

I wanted to be helpful but I think I upset you. :( :( I'm sorry. I hope you are able to work this out, and find the incentive you need. :D

Joy
Who can't keep her big mouth shut :roll:

Mom2Monkeys
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Re: Ideas for incentives to get work done more quickly

Post by Mom2Monkeys » Thu Jun 18, 2009 4:58 pm

I used those same "science project, tri-fold boards" for dd and sat it in front of her at the kitchen table...just a plain light blue one (a nice relaxing colors with no pictures to look at). Plus noise canceling headphones...sometimes with very quiet classical study-time music or sometimes just nothing but noise canceling silence. It helped... also tried to have her do trouble subjects like math when little ones were napping or having quiet time. Another things was to put non-greasy, non-crumby/messy snacks in a little bowl and tell her she gets to eat one for every problem she finished while she has snack during math and could eat the rest when she was completely done, as in finished, checked by me, corrected. (lite-butter popcorn, occasionally m&m's, nuts, bite sized graham cracker stix, apple chunks with a toothpick, etc.)

I would notice that as long as she noticed me walking through occasionally, like putting away dishes or laundry so as not to seem like I'm keeping an eye on her but was there, she did better.
~~Tamara~~
Enjoying HOD since 2008

DD15 long-time HODie finding her own new path
DS12 PHFHG {dysgraphia, APD, SID}
DS9 PHFHG
DS6 LHFHG
DD new nursling

sharonb
Posts: 459
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Location: FL

Re: Ideas for incentives to get work done more quickly

Post by sharonb » Thu Jun 18, 2009 6:21 pm

Joy-
You didn't upset me at all, so don't worry! But after your post I did want to clarify that it's not an issue of the work being too hard. I agree, there's a huge amount of work in R&S 2nd grade reading compared to 1st grade. So, even though she CAN handle it, she just looks at all those pages and just doesn't even want to get started. I can't believe how much work they require before she is even supposed to pick up the reader and read the story! She has only done 4 or 5 lessons so far (in 3 weeks). I told her I'm considering doing something different, and her eyes lit up.

Val-
Thanks for the info. My dd sits at a desk in our playroom/schoolroom. The desk faces a wall, so she's having to turn around to see what her siblings are up to. I'm not sure a divider would accomplish much, since she could still turn around. I guess I could change the configuration of her desk. I'll have to think about that.

FiveLittlePeaches
Posts: 284
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Re: Ideas for incentives to get work done more quickly

Post by FiveLittlePeaches » Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:04 am

Sharonb,

Thanks for responding to my post! :D

Seriously, I meant what I said when I was familar with the materials and situation you were going through. Lol! We got through R&S 2nd grade Reading workbook 4, and it was a struggle the whole time. I just couldn't believe how long the lessons were. We lost or misplaced workbook 5, and I just didn't care at that point. I sincerely wanted my daughter to have a thorough understand of the Bible, so I had good intentions. In the end I don't think she learned a thing, because it turned into a battle about getting the work done. So I sympathize with you, having gone through it myself.

I started out using the R&S preschool workbooks, and I wanted to use R&S for the long haul. I learned using textbooks and I wanted my children to do the same. I do like R&S 2nd grade phonics better than first. I really like Preparing to Build English, and I'm so glad Carrie recommends it for HOD. R&S has some great materials, but not everything works for us.

It was hard for me to belive that LHFHG would be effective as written, but I learned half way through the program that my children really learned best with this teaching style. Peach #4 will get the benefit of my trial and error.

Anyway, I hope you will keep us posted as to what you pick for your reading program. Have you considered DITHOR?

Joy

my3sons
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Location: South Dakota

Re: Ideas for incentives to get work done more quickly

Post by my3sons » Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:03 am

Hi Sharon! :D Well, I think you've gotten some great advice and help here from these wise ladies. Don't we have a great bunch of moms here? :D I was thinking through your daughter, and imagining myself in a room full of scrapbook supplies with ladies scrapbooking around me (this is like playing with toys for me :) ) and thinking how I'd feel about working on a reading assignment I was challenged by instead of scrapbooking. I would be very distracted and not very enthused about the reading challenge - so, this got me thinking 3 things.

1. I think I'd change reading programs. She could either do the Emerging Reader's Set or Level 2/3 DITHOR. I'd lean toward the Emerging Reader's Set because it's short, fun, has great books, is done orally, and builds reading comprehension.
2. I think I'd do her reading on the couch first thing in the day if possible, or otherwise, whenever it's your best teaching time (a.k.a other dc are independently, doing something :) ). Does your playroom have a gate? Could you put up a gate and let the other dc play in the playroom for 20 minutes while you read with dd on the couch (hopefully not in view of other dc)?
3. I'd have her do her math at the kitchen table and set the kitchen timer for it. This is a nice central place to do this. Then, she could do the rest of her things in the playroom/schoolroom.

We've found planned movement to be a huge factor in how successfully our day flows. Kids need to get up and move anyway, so planned movement fills that need well. This produces a much different effect than random, chaotic movement. I have grown to love thinking of my whole house as a schoolroom. This has made movement possible and positive.

I think it would also be very helpful to jot down a general schedule with approximate times. We've found this to be very helpful, and while we are not always exactly on the times listed, we always follow the order of it, and this causes everyone to know what to do next, as well as get a feel for how long they should be spending on things. It may look as simple as this:
Around 9 AM: dd Reading with mom on couch
other dc playing in playroom
baby in saucer with toys
9:20 AM: dd Math with mom in kitchen
other dc still playing in playroom
baby on mom's lap
Anyway, that's just an idea. Here is a link where lots of ladies shared their schedules. This may be helpful as well:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2093&p=16049

Keep going - you're doing a great job, and you are just starting, so give yourself some time to get into a rhythm. :D

In Christ,
Julie
Enjoyed LHTH to USII
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie

sharonb
Posts: 459
Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 1:11 pm
Location: FL

Re: Ideas for incentives to get work done more quickly

Post by sharonb » Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:15 pm

Thanks for your reply Julie. I laughed when you mentioned a baby gate. My boys would hop over it in a heartbeat... :lol: I don't think they'd need a gate to keep them in there playing though, especially if I let them play one of their computer games until I'm ready to work with them.

I am seriously considering the emerging readers set for dd. We already own a few of the books; she's actually already read some of them. Even though it would be easy for her at first, I do think she would enjoy it, and having to answer the questions in the guide would be good for her. If we end up flying through it, we can always start DITHOR whenever. I just can't see sticking with R&S reading if it's going to be a daily struggle. Maybe she can just read from the reader once in a while to get the Bible content, without having the stress of pages and pages of workbook exercises to do!

So, anyway, that's where I'm at right now. I plan to finalize decisions over the weekend, plus try to figure out some kind of loose schedule that might actually work around here!

my3sons
Posts: 10702
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2007 7:08 pm
Location: South Dakota

Re: Ideas for incentives to get work done more quickly

Post by my3sons » Sat Jun 20, 2009 9:18 am

sharonb wrote:Thanks for your reply Julie. I laughed when you mentioned a baby gate. My boys would hop over it in a heartbeat... :lol:
Ha, ha! :lol: I know what you mean! The baby gate is more for our toddler (who can also hop over it :D ), but the visual barrier (and my training) has stopped him from becoming a hurdler. :lol: I thought that may help contain your 2.5 yo. :D

It sounds like you've got some good ideas cooking. I have prayed for you as you sort through this. I do think your dd could not help but love the Emerging Readers Set - they're just loads of fun.

In Christ,
Julie
Enjoyed LHTH to USII
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie

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