About Me
Hi, I'm Oriana!
A former homeschooling mom.
My children are now adults living full lives,
but I wanted to tell you how the
Inspired Homeschool Reward Chart
came to be.
Many years ago my son was the kid that when I went to pick him up from school, he was "walking the line" instead of being able to join his classmates for recess. Occasionally, Kyle would softly whistle or rocked side to side when doing his work at a private kindergarten. For this, he earned demerits, therefore, missing out on recess. Kyle was an "A" student grade-wise but never received positive praise for his good grades in the classroom. Earning demerits during this very informative year of learning, even though achieving good grades, broke down my son and I watched his happy personality fade.
So I decided to homeschool him the following year and the Lord gave me an idea, and the Inspired Homeschool Reward Chart was born! A simple and fun system to help undo a year's worth of self-worth-lowering experiences he encountered in kindergarten.
I put together the Inspired Homeschool Reward Chart which focused on weekly rewards that catered to my son's personality, gifts, and interests. The rewards were for doing his work in each homeschool subject. The rewards weren't for good grades, but just for trying, struggling through if necessary to finish the day's required subjects. Not original, I know, but what is original is the connection we built. Together with the help of the Lord, I saw his self-esteem mended and life and joy came back into my son.
The rewards weren't big, it could be he got to pick out the boardgame for family game night, a scavenger hunt at the park or around the house, $2 to spend at the Dollar Store or pick out a movie to rent from Blockbuster (I'm really dating myself now). He might even get to stay up 30 minuter past bedtime. These were the type of rewards that Kyle liked, and would work towards. If I were stumped, I would just simply brainstorm with Kyle to see what he liked. It was a special time, well spent getting to learn the likes, dislikes, and interests of my son.
The rewards built up to bigger things by the end of the homeschooling year and the last reward of the last week of school was to participate in the robotics program for children his age at our local Children's Science Museum! He could always look back and see what he had accomplished and he could always look forward to the bigger rewards if he was having a tough day or week. It was such a success to celebrate his wins every week. We even had Grandma and Nana be prepared for Friday's weekly call to celebrate my son's wins and rewards!
By the end of Kyle's 1st-grade year of homeschooling, I took him for testing for his skill level learned for 1st grade. I hoped and prayed that I didn't fail him as his teacher. Coincidently, his testing would be done at his old private school. When the results came in, I received a call from the principal of the school, he asked if when I came in to pick up the results if I speak with him. Kyle tested at a 5th-grade level for reading and for many other subjects, the principal wanted to know...How? Well I said, outside of the cherry-picking curriculum to fit Kyle, Kyle is very motivated to get his work done
and he truly works hard to accomplish it!
Looking back now I can see how awesome it was for my son to have daily, weekly, and monthly proof of his accomplishments! All while whistling like a songbird, bouncing on an exercise ball in our sweet little homeschool.