I happened to stumble on a homeschooling website which gave me some inspiration for a new way to teach, using index cards!       I don't know why, but it never occurred to me to use something so simple to drill concepts of any kind to my children.  

If you have a minute, please go to Molly's website to see what I'm talking about.


I went to the store yesterday and purchased 6 packages of index cards (they are so cheap!), and some index card boxes.      I am going to have Caleb write the Presidents' names in order on separate index cards, and we will be drilling them using the cards.    I will be using these cards to list the planets in the solar system, to list different kings in different times, to list the different continents, seas, and states of America, Bible verses,  etc!    Why pay for drill cards when you can make them yourself, so much more easily and cheaply? 

Another idea inspired by this website,  that worked wel for us- yesterday, I got the index cards out and wrote 1 idea on each card:

• Books
• Dirty Clothes
• Paper
• Junk
• Toys
• Pencils and crayons
• Blankets
• Everything else

I gave these cards to Caleb and told him that I wanted him to use these cards, and to do each chore on the list within his room. When all of the cards were finished, he would be done with his room.  He actually was VERY excited to try it this way.

It worked PERFECTLY.  I went into his room when he said he had finished it (took him only about 10 minutes), and he had actually gotten everything picked up. I was surprised.  He didn't forget this or that, as he frequently will do. These cards helped him to organize his thoughts, and do one thing at a time.   I think this will be very beneficial, as long as I can keep using the system.

If you go to the Homeschool with Index Cards website, you will see many free ideas and print-outs for your own index card system, if you're interested.  Molly has free Bible verse cards, Aesop's fables cards, Plagues of Egypt cards, etc. She has directions for how you can use your printer to print all of these on the small index cards too.