Parents-
You child should be bringing home a letter today about Moby Math. This is a simple, yet effective tool that students will use to practice math skills while at home. Moby will replace weekly fact practice. All students need to complete a minimum of 30 minutes of Moby Math practice at home, anytime between Monday and Sunday.
Moby is a web-based tool that customizes lessons for each child, based on placement test results. (About 5 of the Upper Montessori students still need to complete their placement test. PLEASE DO NOT complete the placement test at home.)
The homework requirement will begin next week but all students who have completed a placement test are free to begin on Moby right away! I have already added MOBY Math as a link under the Homework tab on the blog page.
Please be sure to let me know if you have any questions!
--Mrs. Perrien
27 February 2013
Whitecaps Reading Club
Whitecaps Reading Club paperwork will be coming home Thursday!
Kids need to read for 450 minutes during March and in return they will earn 2 free tickets to the Whitecaps. Our Waukazoo Day at the Whitecaps will be Sunday, May 19 at 1 p.m. If kids want to go to a different game, they will need to hang on to their bookmark. Forms will come home in mid-March for those that desire a ticket to a different game. Either way, it's always fun!
26 February 2013
Kindness Challenge
Random Acts of Kindness: http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/kindness-ideas
The challenge is on, we can do this!
I have issued a challenge to the Upper Montessori girls and boys: commit a Random Act of Kindness before next Monday. Take a picture and send it in, write down what transpired...but above all, think outside yourself! We invite parents and other family members to get involved in our challenge, too!
For inspiration, I searched, "Random Acts of Kindness" on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=random+acts+of+kindness
--Mrs. Perrien
24 February 2013
Lunchbox Ideas
Parents-
If you are like me and your require that your child eat a home lunch versus hot lunch at school you might like this website:
http://keeleymcguire.blogspot.com/2013/02/lunch-made-easy-20-non-sandwich-school.html
She has lots of great ideas for customizing a home lunch and thinking beyond a sandwich, apple, and chips.
If you are like me and your require that your child eat a home lunch versus hot lunch at school you might like this website:
http://keeleymcguire.blogspot.com/2013/02/lunch-made-easy-20-non-sandwich-school.html
She has lots of great ideas for customizing a home lunch and thinking beyond a sandwich, apple, and chips.
Dates and more...
BOOK FAIR
The Upper Montessori class will be visiting the Scholastic Book Fair to PREVIEW only on March 7. They will return to PURCHASE on March 11. During preview times the students will not be allowed to write down any of the myriad of items that are "junk" items--including overpriced pens, bookmarks, gadgets, any more. They may record books that they are interested in discussing with you. (Just for your information...the gadgets, pens, and other "stuff" really are overpriced.)
The book fair is scheduled to be open during parent/teacher conferences, which will allow you to visit with your child.
CELEBRATION OF LEARNING
The Montessori of Learning is scheduled for Tuesday, March 26 from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. On this day students will simply stay at school at the end of the school day to begin their preparations. Please plan to arrive at 4 p.m. that day to visit and explore their hard work! I have two requests for that day: 1) your child might need Revolutionary Era costume pieces. Please be on the lookout for prairie-style dresses, boys blue, red, or black blazers, plain white shirts. Even if your child doesn't need these things, someone else in the classroom might. If you find something like this please send it in to school with your name pinned inside. NO ONE has a topic yet, but all students will soon. All items on loan will be returned to you later that week! My second request is that you plan to arrive at 4 p.m. Coming in early will mean that students will not be ready for you.
CONFERENCES
Parent-Teacher conferences have a new scheduling system this year. You should have received either a paper note from Mrs. Taylor detailing how to sign up and select your parent-teacher conference or an email from Mrs. Westhouse, the Waukazoo secretary. Pick-a-time is the system I use in Jenison to schedule my own children's parent-teacher conferences. I love it! I am able to schedule the time that works best for me, and receive an email copy of my schedule as well as reminder emails. It is VERY easy to set up your own account and schedule. The first time I did it this fall, it took me less than 10 minutes. Finally, please remember that your child should be included in this March conference!
TALL TALES WRITING ASSIGNMENT
We have been so busy writing opinion essays and learning about Jamestown and early America that I am embarrassed to say I did not give students their tall tales rubric. It can be accessed here. That being said, I will extend the deadline to March 4 to accommodate students who need to more time to complete this writing assignment. Parents, PLEASE print the rubric for your child if possible. Thanks so much!
Enjoy this rest of your winter break!
--Mrs. Perrien
The Upper Montessori class will be visiting the Scholastic Book Fair to PREVIEW only on March 7. They will return to PURCHASE on March 11. During preview times the students will not be allowed to write down any of the myriad of items that are "junk" items--including overpriced pens, bookmarks, gadgets, any more. They may record books that they are interested in discussing with you. (Just for your information...the gadgets, pens, and other "stuff" really are overpriced.)
The book fair is scheduled to be open during parent/teacher conferences, which will allow you to visit with your child.
CELEBRATION OF LEARNING
The Montessori of Learning is scheduled for Tuesday, March 26 from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. On this day students will simply stay at school at the end of the school day to begin their preparations. Please plan to arrive at 4 p.m. that day to visit and explore their hard work! I have two requests for that day: 1) your child might need Revolutionary Era costume pieces. Please be on the lookout for prairie-style dresses, boys blue, red, or black blazers, plain white shirts. Even if your child doesn't need these things, someone else in the classroom might. If you find something like this please send it in to school with your name pinned inside. NO ONE has a topic yet, but all students will soon. All items on loan will be returned to you later that week! My second request is that you plan to arrive at 4 p.m. Coming in early will mean that students will not be ready for you.
CONFERENCES
Parent-Teacher conferences have a new scheduling system this year. You should have received either a paper note from Mrs. Taylor detailing how to sign up and select your parent-teacher conference or an email from Mrs. Westhouse, the Waukazoo secretary. Pick-a-time is the system I use in Jenison to schedule my own children's parent-teacher conferences. I love it! I am able to schedule the time that works best for me, and receive an email copy of my schedule as well as reminder emails. It is VERY easy to set up your own account and schedule. The first time I did it this fall, it took me less than 10 minutes. Finally, please remember that your child should be included in this March conference!
TALL TALES WRITING ASSIGNMENT
We have been so busy writing opinion essays and learning about Jamestown and early America that I am embarrassed to say I did not give students their tall tales rubric. It can be accessed here. That being said, I will extend the deadline to March 4 to accommodate students who need to more time to complete this writing assignment. Parents, PLEASE print the rubric for your child if possible. Thanks so much!
Enjoy this rest of your winter break!
--Mrs. Perrien
19 February 2013
Ready to go!
Parents-
All students were given their vacation homework...just in case there is a snow day on Wednesday. I'm hoping that by sending the homework I'm jinxing the snow day! I'm not sure what the snow day calculator says, but Mrs. Perrien can't keep up with all the snow delays!
IF there is a snow day, both grades have math packets for the break. Both packets are review packets: time for 4th and graphing for 5th. (Review means that all students should be able to do the work with only minimal help, or none at all.) All students are asked to complete their regular writing homework as well as read for at least three of the five days of break. Students also have a vacation reading log to record the three days of reading. There is a $$ incentive if students read and record every day of the break!
Today we learned about Jamestown, Virginia, the first permanent English settlement in America. A few sites to explore:
All students were given their vacation homework...just in case there is a snow day on Wednesday. I'm hoping that by sending the homework I'm jinxing the snow day! I'm not sure what the snow day calculator says, but Mrs. Perrien can't keep up with all the snow delays!
IF there is a snow day, both grades have math packets for the break. Both packets are review packets: time for 4th and graphing for 5th. (Review means that all students should be able to do the work with only minimal help, or none at all.) All students are asked to complete their regular writing homework as well as read for at least three of the five days of break. Students also have a vacation reading log to record the three days of reading. There is a $$ incentive if students read and record every day of the break!
Today we learned about Jamestown, Virginia, the first permanent English settlement in America. A few sites to explore:
- http://historicjamestowne.org
- http://www.historyisfun.org/jamestown-settlement.htm
- http://www.historyglobe.com/jamestown/ (This one is neat and interactive!)
18 February 2013
Social Studies packets
Many students are bringing home their social studies packets for completion tonight. First, they are reading about "exchanges" between those in the old world and those in the new world. They need to recognize what is being exchanged between traders.
Second, they are reading at least three different quotes from Christopher Columbus. Students need to choose the quote that they would like to respond to in their research journal. Their response is based on their thinking about Columbus' statements.
Students are also reading about a slave trading post called Elmira Castle. They will need to respond to this in their research journal. They need to list the "main idea" of the passage and give three important details from the reading that support the main idea.
Finally, students are reading about the Columbian Exchange via a graphic organizer. Students need to complete the following page, a prediction sheet.
If students are working on their packet at home it is because they didn't complete their weekly workplan last week in class. All students were given workplan time today to work on their unfinished work and were then expected to move to the social studies packet. A lot of packet work tonight means a lot of unfinished workplan from last week.
Another website for information on the Columbian Exchange: http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/1866.
--Mrs. Perrien
Second, they are reading at least three different quotes from Christopher Columbus. Students need to choose the quote that they would like to respond to in their research journal. Their response is based on their thinking about Columbus' statements.
Students are also reading about a slave trading post called Elmira Castle. They will need to respond to this in their research journal. They need to list the "main idea" of the passage and give three important details from the reading that support the main idea.
Finally, students are reading about the Columbian Exchange via a graphic organizer. Students need to complete the following page, a prediction sheet.
If students are working on their packet at home it is because they didn't complete their weekly workplan last week in class. All students were given workplan time today to work on their unfinished work and were then expected to move to the social studies packet. A lot of packet work tonight means a lot of unfinished workplan from last week.
Another website for information on the Columbian Exchange: http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/1866.
--Mrs. Perrien
5th Grade Symphony Field Trip
This message is for 5th grade parents only:
The 5th graders will be attending the Grand Rapids Symphony 5th grade concert tomorrow at Central Wesleyan Church in Holland. They will be leaving Waukazoo shortly before 9 a.m. and will return before lunch. All students, regardless of whether or not they are in our orchestra program, will be in attendance.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
The 5th graders will be attending the Grand Rapids Symphony 5th grade concert tomorrow at Central Wesleyan Church in Holland. They will be leaving Waukazoo shortly before 9 a.m. and will return before lunch. All students, regardless of whether or not they are in our orchestra program, will be in attendance.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
17 February 2013
Montessori Board Meeting Presentation
Parents-
This is a last minute invite! It just occurred to me that I never shared the corrected WO school board meeting date. Due to a scheduling difficulty in January, the Montessori presentation was moved to the February WO school board meeting.
This meeting begins tomorrow night at 7 p.m. and will be held at the West Ottawa administration building. Mrs. Taylor and I will be accompanied by four past and present Montessori students. We would LOVE to have some Montessori love in the audience. Please join us if you're able!
(Again, sorry for the last minute message!)
This is a last minute invite! It just occurred to me that I never shared the corrected WO school board meeting date. Due to a scheduling difficulty in January, the Montessori presentation was moved to the February WO school board meeting.
This meeting begins tomorrow night at 7 p.m. and will be held at the West Ottawa administration building. Mrs. Taylor and I will be accompanied by four past and present Montessori students. We would LOVE to have some Montessori love in the audience. Please join us if you're able!
(Again, sorry for the last minute message!)
4th Grade: Subtraction and Subtraction with Zeros
This post is for 4th grade parents:
This past week the 4th graders completed homework that required them to both subtract by borrowing and subtract by borrowing with zeros. This was difficult for some, likely because it is a skill that was learned in 3rd grade (or sooner) and not practiced much since.
I will continue to send the students home with subtraction homework this week, as a way to keep them practicing and perfecting! Feel free to check over their work and correct as needed. You can also find additional subtraction worksheets by visiting the following link:
http://www.math-drills.com/subtraction.shtml
--Mrs. Perrien
This past week the 4th graders completed homework that required them to both subtract by borrowing and subtract by borrowing with zeros. This was difficult for some, likely because it is a skill that was learned in 3rd grade (or sooner) and not practiced much since.
I will continue to send the students home with subtraction homework this week, as a way to keep them practicing and perfecting! Feel free to check over their work and correct as needed. You can also find additional subtraction worksheets by visiting the following link:
http://www.math-drills.com/subtraction.shtml
--Mrs. Perrien
Tall Tales & Legends Homework Writing
Tall
Tales and Legends Writing Assignment
This part of the research project will be due
on March 1, 2013. Use the rubric to
guide your writing.
Student Name: Date:
Title of Tall Tale:
After
writing an original tall tale, students will provide evidence from their story
that corresponds with the elements of a tall tale. The teacher can then provide
notes and comments about the students’ writing.
Student MUST complete the evidence column before turning in the story.
|
Tall Tale Elements
|
Evidence
|
Comments
|
|
The story has many
exaggerations. (5)
|
|
|
|
The main character has a
problem to solve. (5)
|
|
|
|
The main character shows
super-human strength throughout the story. (5)
|
|
|
|
The plot of the story is
funny and impossible, with lots of action. (5)
|
|
|
|
In the end, the main
character solves a problem, overcomes an obstacle, or defeats a “bad guy.”
(5)
|
|
|
|
Student submits a “final
copy” that is on lined notebook paper (Not the writing notebook), is free of
errors (spelling, capitalization, and punctuation), and is in student’s best
handwriting.
|
|
|
Requirements:
· You must write an original tall tale.
· Story includes a cover page with the name of
the tale, your name, and the date.
· Story is at least two single-spaced pages in
length if hand-written.
· If typed, font must be Arial or Times New
Roman and no larger than size 12. Typed
stories must be 1.5 pages in length, double-spaced.
· You will need to read a portion of your tall
to the class on February 28, 2013.
This rubric is based on the “Tall Tales Checklist,” provided
with the ArtsEdge lesson, “Tall Tales Today”
(http://artsedge.org/content/2267/).
All students will receive a hard copy of the above rubric on Monday.
11 February 2013
Conferences
Parents-
If you did not receive your conference scheduling preference form on Friday you'll be receiving this Tuesday in your child's homework folder. PLEASE RETURN THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! :) Thanks!
Please read the following:
Student led conferences are a very powerful way to organize a parent/teacher conference. These conferences involve the students in the planning and execution of the conference. I have used this format for the past three years with excellent results! Students will be able to present and answer questions about their classroom work. They will also be able to discuss their performance of the Zoo Rules. Parents that were at first reluctant about this format in the past were surprised by how much more meaningful these conferences turned out to be for both parents and child. If a parent feels that an adults-only conference is needed, I am willing to set up a second phone or in-person conference to answer any questions or concerns.
I have found this format to be easy for all parties, yet the most authentic when it comes to positive changes occurring as a result of a conference. Over the next few weeks I will be working with the children to prepare for these conferences. Please be sure to pick a conference time that will work for both your schedule and your child's schedule. Next, plan on bringing your son or daughter to his or her parent/teacher conference. As previously stated, I am available for a meeting or discussion outside of the regular conference time if you feel it is needed. Thanks for your time; I am looking forward to these conferences to showcase your child’s outstanding work!
If you did not receive your conference scheduling preference form on Friday you'll be receiving this Tuesday in your child's homework folder. PLEASE RETURN THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! :) Thanks!
Please read the following:
Student led conferences are a very powerful way to organize a parent/teacher conference. These conferences involve the students in the planning and execution of the conference. I have used this format for the past three years with excellent results! Students will be able to present and answer questions about their classroom work. They will also be able to discuss their performance of the Zoo Rules. Parents that were at first reluctant about this format in the past were surprised by how much more meaningful these conferences turned out to be for both parents and child. If a parent feels that an adults-only conference is needed, I am willing to set up a second phone or in-person conference to answer any questions or concerns.
I have found this format to be easy for all parties, yet the most authentic when it comes to positive changes occurring as a result of a conference. Over the next few weeks I will be working with the children to prepare for these conferences. Please be sure to pick a conference time that will work for both your schedule and your child's schedule. Next, plan on bringing your son or daughter to his or her parent/teacher conference. As previously stated, I am available for a meeting or discussion outside of the regular conference time if you feel it is needed. Thanks for your time; I am looking forward to these conferences to showcase your child’s outstanding work!
Mrs.
Perrien
The Homework Situation
This morning my two children were very sad and a little disgusted that they had school but I didn't. However, I reassured them that since my travel to Waukazoo is on all main roads I would also be going to school!
Upon arrival I noticed that several students had turned homework folders into the homework bins.
Okay.
I gave specific instructions that I was loading all students up with weekend homework since I would be gone on Friday (and in the event of a snow day). Homework folders were not to be brought to school at all on Friday. Yet, there are approximately 7-8 folders in the bins. Even if students had brought folders to school on Friday they should have taken them back home.
For this reason students will not be excused from homework simply because their folder was turned in on Friday and forgotten. Students should have the 2.5 pages of writing completed and they should have made substantial progress on their tall tales and legends reading (or even finished). (Three tall tales and legends reading responses are also due by this Friday.) The 4th grade math homework is also due tomorrow.
Parents, please do not come in to school early on Tuesday (before school) to get the folder from the classroom and add a last minute signature. This will not help your child learn from this mistake.
Mrs. Perrien
Upon arrival I noticed that several students had turned homework folders into the homework bins.
Okay.
I gave specific instructions that I was loading all students up with weekend homework since I would be gone on Friday (and in the event of a snow day). Homework folders were not to be brought to school at all on Friday. Yet, there are approximately 7-8 folders in the bins. Even if students had brought folders to school on Friday they should have taken them back home.
For this reason students will not be excused from homework simply because their folder was turned in on Friday and forgotten. Students should have the 2.5 pages of writing completed and they should have made substantial progress on their tall tales and legends reading (or even finished). (Three tall tales and legends reading responses are also due by this Friday.) The 4th grade math homework is also due tomorrow.
Parents, please do not come in to school early on Tuesday (before school) to get the folder from the classroom and add a last minute signature. This will not help your child learn from this mistake.
Mrs. Perrien
Coin Challenge Begins!
This week is our annual coin challenge! The word on the street is that WoMo Montessori is the "grade level" to beat! I do believe we won by a hefty margin last year.
The coin challenge is once again donating all monies collected to charity. This year's charity is Blood: Water Mission. We are very careful to pick charities each year that reflect the overall mission of Waukazoo. This year we are individually working in classrooms and collectively working together as a school to "Be the One!" We want to be the one is 2013 by supporting clean & safe water efforts in Africa.
Blood: Water Mission is challenging people this 2013 to make water their only beverage for 40 days, from February 13 - March 30. You can find out more about this challenge by visiting the following link:
40 Day Challenge
The coin challenge is once again donating all monies collected to charity. This year's charity is Blood: Water Mission. We are very careful to pick charities each year that reflect the overall mission of Waukazoo. This year we are individually working in classrooms and collectively working together as a school to "Be the One!" We want to be the one is 2013 by supporting clean & safe water efforts in Africa.
Blood: Water Mission is challenging people this 2013 to make water their only beverage for 40 days, from February 13 - March 30. You can find out more about this challenge by visiting the following link:
40 Day Challenge
10 February 2013
Valentines Day Party
Our classroom will have its Valentine's Day party on Thursday afternoon, February 14 from 1:30 -2:30 p.m.
We will have sweet treats, games, and amazing fun! We'll also have a Valentines card exchange in our classroom. Students do not need to address individual cards TO people, rather, bring enough signed cards for 28 students!
06 February 2013
Book Review: The Top Ten Way to Ruin the First Day of 5th Grade
The Top Ten Ways to Ruin the First
Day of 5th grade
by Erin B.
The book, The Top Ten Ways to Ruin the
First Day of 5th grade is about a boy named Anthony, more
commonly known as Tony Baloney. He seeks attention and popularity. His number
one goal in life is to be on The Late Show. In his school he starts
doing stupid stunts to get attention and have a reason to write to David Letterman.
Just a guess, TB probably doesn’t know getting ground for a year is worse than
not being on The Late Show.
This book is an interesting book. I have a
very literary sense of humor. This book probably would appeal to someone with
more of a straight forth sense of humor. Even though it didn’t appeal to me
humor wise it had some interesting conflict. This book is written from a boys’
point of view. A lot of the actions in the book girls wouldn’t get. I also
think this book is not good for little kids. In the book some of the humor is a
little more `grown-up’ humor. I probably would recommend this book to boys who
know the difference between fiction and real life, at least a little. They
probably should know not to try these stunts themselves. So all in all I
recommend this book to boys at least nine years of age and who know the
difference between fiction and real life.
05 February 2013
Mark Your Calendars!
The Montessori Celebration of Learning
is scheduled for Tuesday, March 26 from 4-5:30!
This is an important event for all students as it is an event that is truly celebrates all the learning that students have been doing in the classroom throughout the year. For that reason, it is extremely important that your child is in attendance.
Please let me know if you have questions, otherwise be prepared to be amazed by the work your children will showcase on this date!
02 February 2013
Reading Buddies photos!
Each Upper Montessori student has a kindergarten reading buddy from Mrs. Gallagher's class. Enjoy these wonderful photos!
01 February 2013
Weekend Homework
Since all children have their homework set up for the weekend I want to remind them of the following:
- Read during your 3-day weekend
- Write your 2.5 pages (Try something different if you dare!)
- Practice your math facts! Remember that if you're stuck on a speedway level that is what you should be practicing.
- Go out and play in the snow!! Build a snowman, ski, snowboard, make a snow angel...have some fun, you do live in Michigan!
One final thought--February 1 means we have a new genre focus at school. We will be learning about tall tales and myths or legends. Get a head start on research, boys and girls, it might hh..ee..ll..pp!! :)
For a $50 bonus (or a snack coupon), name the Tall Tale depicted above. Leave your comment on this posting! In your comment, let me know if you want the snack ticket or the $50.
Another snow day?
Sigh...
I guess the snow day calculator was correct! It is snowing like mad outside my office window and we are yet again homebound. Here in Jenison we do not have school so Evelyn and Abby got an early start on house cleaning!
I sent the kids home with homework folder ready for the weekend. You'll notice when you look at the assignment sheet they are now assigned 35 minutes of reading per evening. This is the last 5 minute bump for the year! I hear such amazing stories at school about books, and characters, and facts learned. Thank you for supporting this crucial homework! I've seen a chart floating around the Internet lately that I'd like to add here. It visually points out why reading at school AND at home is so important! Take a look:
I guess the snow day calculator was correct! It is snowing like mad outside my office window and we are yet again homebound. Here in Jenison we do not have school so Evelyn and Abby got an early start on house cleaning!
I sent the kids home with homework folder ready for the weekend. You'll notice when you look at the assignment sheet they are now assigned 35 minutes of reading per evening. This is the last 5 minute bump for the year! I hear such amazing stories at school about books, and characters, and facts learned. Thank you for supporting this crucial homework! I've seen a chart floating around the Internet lately that I'd like to add here. It visually points out why reading at school AND at home is so important! Take a look:
The chart really says it all. Reading matters!
Reading at Home:
- Find a comfortable place around the house that minimized distractions. The couch, bed, floor...all possibilities.
- Find a good time: Read after the bus ride during a snack, read in the car, read before bed, read after dinner.
- Remove obstacles. Go to the bathroom BEFORE you read (Someone in our 4th grade admitted to me that she reads IN the bathroom because it's very quiet!), have water on hand, chew gum, listen to classical music to cancel other noises.
- Model reading for your own children: Read the paper while your child is reading, read your own novel, read a magazine, take turns reading with your child, ask your child to read to his/her brother or sister.
- Make reading a priority. Read BEFORE television, before Lego time, before a trip to the store.
Reading doesn't have to be expensive!
- Use the library
- Borrow and trade books (I have a GRAND plan for March regarding this idea, stay tuned!
- Become a member of http://www.paperbackswap.com/index.php. Here you can trade books with anyone in the country. It's a super easy service and one of my favorite ways to get books for next-to-nothing!
Can't decide what to read next? Try the following: http://www.whatshouldireadnext.com
My final thoughts on reading...READING MATTERS!
Girls and Boys: For a $100 bonus leave a comment (with capitalization and punctuation) detailing a f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s book or two that you'd recommend to others! Be sure to sign only your first name!
***Update 2/2--whoever posted on the Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe will need to comment again with a name to receive the bonus! --Mrs. Perrien
Girls and Boys: For a $100 bonus leave a comment (with capitalization and punctuation) detailing a f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s book or two that you'd recommend to others! Be sure to sign only your first name!
***Update 2/2--whoever posted on the Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe will need to comment again with a name to receive the bonus! --Mrs. Perrien
The House Cleaning Story
As promised, here is the story of how we came to "hire" our own kids to clean our house.
When I went back to work in 2004 my husband and I agreed that house cleaning was not going to be on our list of things to do each evening. I realize that not everyone has this option-to hire someone to clean their house, but it was something my husband and I decided to deliberately add to our household budget. Since 2004 we've had an absolutely wonderful woman cleaning every two weeks. The money spent was well worth the time earned.
However...
As my girls aged we realized they were more and more often neglecting their "in between" chores and taking less and less care of their own bedrooms. Plus, we were spending more on house cleaning than we had in the past. This spring we made the courageous decision to let our cleaning lady go and transfer cleaning responsibilities to our family. This was not easy! I knew some of it would fall back to me and I knew it would mean some things wouldn't be done in the same thorough manner. So I stalled, and stalled some more.
I did spend time in the summer teaching my girls how to perform all the typical cleaning tasks: dusting, sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, toilet cleaning, mirrors, everything. We divided up the chores and settled on payment. But, I stalled some more...
In October, I finally stopped at Kelly's house to talk things over with her. I carefully explained it had nothing to do with her, or her work. Instead, I explained the sense of entitlement that was beginning to invade my girls' thinking. When my girls are in college no one is going to clean their dorm rooms for them. When they are 23 and starting off in the world, no one is going to clean their apartment, or clean out their car! (And they are most certainly not going to live at home for an extended period of time in their 20's while Mom continues to provide all manner of services for free.) In short, taking over this task is one more way that my girls are learning about the real world. (I sincerely believe that Dr. Montessori would be applauding my decision to teach my girls in this way.)
Kelly cleaned for the last time the last week of October. Since then my girls have been responsible for weekly house cleaning. Our first big decision was THE day. We decided that the girls would clean as soon as they arrived home on Friday. There's no homework pressure, no yearbook committee meetings, and no dance classes to interfere. We next decided that the TV would remain off until the cleaning tasks were completed. (Nothing like TV to incentivize some reluctant cleaning ladies.) Finally, we decided on payment--for one it's cash, for the other it's a monthly iTunes account reload. I do not pay them what I paid Kelly, rather an amount that is appropriate for their ages and their level of experience.
The experience thus far has not been without it's problems. First, we've had to deal with what consequences exist if a job is not completed properly. The most logical consequence, and the one we use, is that if a job is not completed to my, or my husband's, satisfaction it is redone. (Remember, they have had a thorough lesson on how to clean every room.) There is no arguing. (If arguing is attempted I use two strategies--broken record and scheduling a time to complain.) The second challenge has been working around being out of town or ill on a Friday. We simply clean on the next possible day.
We've had one serious situation, too. During an argument over who got the toilet bowl cleaner next, it was spilled...all over the front of my dishwasher. Rather than being cleaned up immediately, the spill was hastily wiped up, but not thoroughly. There are now drip stains where the toilet bowl cleaner ate into the front of the stainless steel dishwasher. For the time being, these are left there as a visual reminder. (I haven't decided if I want a new front or a new dishwasher. It hasn't been operating well for a few months and a recent repair visit pointed out some damage that was done to the motor, this makes it really loud!) Either way, each girl will contribute a month's cleaning allowance when the decision is made.
All in all, the experience has been positive. Reflecting on the task, I realize that for 18 years I helped my mom clean the house whether she was, or was not, working. I didn't get an allowance either. I hope the overall task allows my girls to reflect on how they do, or do not, contribute to the household well-being. I also hope it instills in them a level of appreciate for the sometimes daunting task of keeping a clean, well-organized home. Finally, I hope they remember to appreciate all the people that do contribute to clean homes, work places, schools, shopping centers, and more!
Update 2-3-13: After reading this I realize that it sounds as if Mr. Perrien doesn't have any chores. Not true, he does! :)
When I went back to work in 2004 my husband and I agreed that house cleaning was not going to be on our list of things to do each evening. I realize that not everyone has this option-to hire someone to clean their house, but it was something my husband and I decided to deliberately add to our household budget. Since 2004 we've had an absolutely wonderful woman cleaning every two weeks. The money spent was well worth the time earned.
However...
As my girls aged we realized they were more and more often neglecting their "in between" chores and taking less and less care of their own bedrooms. Plus, we were spending more on house cleaning than we had in the past. This spring we made the courageous decision to let our cleaning lady go and transfer cleaning responsibilities to our family. This was not easy! I knew some of it would fall back to me and I knew it would mean some things wouldn't be done in the same thorough manner. So I stalled, and stalled some more.
I did spend time in the summer teaching my girls how to perform all the typical cleaning tasks: dusting, sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, toilet cleaning, mirrors, everything. We divided up the chores and settled on payment. But, I stalled some more...
In October, I finally stopped at Kelly's house to talk things over with her. I carefully explained it had nothing to do with her, or her work. Instead, I explained the sense of entitlement that was beginning to invade my girls' thinking. When my girls are in college no one is going to clean their dorm rooms for them. When they are 23 and starting off in the world, no one is going to clean their apartment, or clean out their car! (And they are most certainly not going to live at home for an extended period of time in their 20's while Mom continues to provide all manner of services for free.) In short, taking over this task is one more way that my girls are learning about the real world. (I sincerely believe that Dr. Montessori would be applauding my decision to teach my girls in this way.)
Kelly cleaned for the last time the last week of October. Since then my girls have been responsible for weekly house cleaning. Our first big decision was THE day. We decided that the girls would clean as soon as they arrived home on Friday. There's no homework pressure, no yearbook committee meetings, and no dance classes to interfere. We next decided that the TV would remain off until the cleaning tasks were completed. (Nothing like TV to incentivize some reluctant cleaning ladies.) Finally, we decided on payment--for one it's cash, for the other it's a monthly iTunes account reload. I do not pay them what I paid Kelly, rather an amount that is appropriate for their ages and their level of experience.
The experience thus far has not been without it's problems. First, we've had to deal with what consequences exist if a job is not completed properly. The most logical consequence, and the one we use, is that if a job is not completed to my, or my husband's, satisfaction it is redone. (Remember, they have had a thorough lesson on how to clean every room.) There is no arguing. (If arguing is attempted I use two strategies--broken record and scheduling a time to complain.) The second challenge has been working around being out of town or ill on a Friday. We simply clean on the next possible day.
We've had one serious situation, too. During an argument over who got the toilet bowl cleaner next, it was spilled...all over the front of my dishwasher. Rather than being cleaned up immediately, the spill was hastily wiped up, but not thoroughly. There are now drip stains where the toilet bowl cleaner ate into the front of the stainless steel dishwasher. For the time being, these are left there as a visual reminder. (I haven't decided if I want a new front or a new dishwasher. It hasn't been operating well for a few months and a recent repair visit pointed out some damage that was done to the motor, this makes it really loud!) Either way, each girl will contribute a month's cleaning allowance when the decision is made.
All in all, the experience has been positive. Reflecting on the task, I realize that for 18 years I helped my mom clean the house whether she was, or was not, working. I didn't get an allowance either. I hope the overall task allows my girls to reflect on how they do, or do not, contribute to the household well-being. I also hope it instills in them a level of appreciate for the sometimes daunting task of keeping a clean, well-organized home. Finally, I hope they remember to appreciate all the people that do contribute to clean homes, work places, schools, shopping centers, and more!
Update 2-3-13: After reading this I realize that it sounds as if Mr. Perrien doesn't have any chores. Not true, he does! :)
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