It's almost summer! Around here, that means it's time to start our annual Summer Chore Challenge (I am not going to go into details of how the chore challenge works, but
if you're curious, I've written about it in previous years here and here and here).
We will officially begin this Friday, June 1. I just finished typing up the checklists and last weekend I made the tracking poster. I'm really pleased with how this year's poster turned out. The best part is that I didn't have to do any drawing! As the kids complete tasks, they can take the gumball from the lines below their gumball machine, place them in the machine, and write the completed task on the now empty line.
We are making a few minor changes/tweaks this time around. For starters, Mark opted out of participating. His summer routine just doesn't change enough to allow so much extra. I made my lists a little less ambitious/more reasonable as well. Bryce and Thane still want money as their grand prize, but for Aubree, who has been making significant money babysitting this last year, we had to come up with a more motivating prize. So, for her grand prize we have tickets to see a Lindsey Stirling concert with friends. Even better, she gets to bring along another friend of her choosing. If she doesn't reach the grand prize level, we will sell or give away the tickets. She's extremely motivated!
My genius friend, Ashley, came up with another grand prize option for her kids. Those that reach the grand prize level earn a whole week with no chores and no school work (they also homeschool). Anyone who does not reach the grand prize level has to take over those chores! My kids were intrigued with this option (and noted that avoiding having to do their sibling's chores would be extra motivation to get their tasks done), but decided that the grand prize options we had previously tried were more enticing for them.
We will still offer a family party or adventure if everyone finishes before the deadline (September 3). I like to do this so they are encouraging of each other's progress. That being said, Bryce and Thane are both eager to be the first ones done.
Nellie is still too young to participate. Next year, when she's 3, we will include her.
Before I get to the chore lists, here are few thoughts on what I've included...
- Tasks marked with an asterisk are required tasks.
- Everyone has cleaning bathrooms on their lists again this summer. They've been cleaning bathrooms all year as part of their wheel-chart chores, but as the year has progressed they've all gotten sloppier. It's time for re-training.
- TGTB = The Good and The Beautiful, a really great Language Arts curriculum. I've included links if anyone is interested in checking it out.
- My kids had input in making their lists. Aubree especially asked for more tasks that she could accomplish independently.
1. *Clean bathroom
2. *Complete through lesson 60 of TGTB Level 7
3. *Wash own laundry
4. Exercise at least 30 minutes
5. Cook 15 meals
6. Mow lawn
7. Nature journal
8. Practice violin
9. Swallow pills
10. Personal scripture study
11. Personal Progress
12. *Complete through Unit 3 of BYU Algebra
13. Floss teeth
14. Write 6 blog posts & Learn to put hair in ponytail
15. Read 8 parent choice books
1. Wash laundry
2. Mop kitchen floor
3. *Clean bathroom
4. Scripture study
5. Jogging
6. Complete TGTB level 4
7. Complete computer use course
8. Read 8 parent choice books
9. Floss teeth
10. Behavior
11. Learn to braid
12. Nature journal
13. Practice piano
14. Wrap presents
15. Keep room clean
1. Sweep kitchen
2. Memorize Articles of Faith
3. *Clean bathrooms
4. Scripture study
5. Jogging
6. Nature journal
7. Practice piano
8. Spelling practice
9. Floss teeth
10. Put away dishes
11. Eat neatly & with good manners
12. Fold load of laundry & hang up clothes
13. Peel vegetables
14. Vacuum upstairs
15. Read 8 parent choice books
1. Memorize 8 Articles of Faith
2. Make bed
3. Nature journal
4. Jogging
5. Open van sliding door
6. Flush toilet/wash hands without reminding
7. Respond to frustration with words (not screaming)
8. Put dirty clothes away without reminding
9. *Wipe-down bathroom
10. Scripture study
11. Wipe down kitchen cabinets
12. All About Spelling 1
13. Learn to ride 2-wheeler
14. Let's Play Music practice + bell composition
15. Read 8 parent choice books
Mom, age irrelevant
1. Exercise
2. Play board games with kids
3. Nature journal
4. Weekly meal plan
5. Dental work
6. Family history
7. Complete 3 read-alouds
8. Hikes with kids
9. Home projects
10. Personal scripture study
11. Blog
12. Plan co-op Communications class
13. Family Prayer
14. Floss teeth
15. Invite friends to dinner or dessert
2 comments:
Neat! Where will Aubree be blogging?
Please share your experience with BYU Algebra!
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