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Study Routines For Tweens + Portable Homework Station DIY

By: dmvollmer

My son is in 5th grade this year. Big changes at school – they no longer have the same teacher all year, more independent thinking and reasoning, and the level of homework and studying have increased. There’s a lot more need to start studying subjects every day and not just the day before the test – this is a big change and tough my son who would always prefer to procrastinate.

How to Create a Homework Caddy

Establish routine. Routine is important and something my kid can always use help with. But once a routine is established, things always run much more smoothly. After school each day he eats a light snack and drinks a glass of ice water. This helps him to be focused when he is doing his homework.

I then make sure he goes through his backpack, removing any graded paperwork that was returned, school notices, and homework for the day. We also make sure his school supplies are well stocked – in 5th grade they no longer have a dedicated desk so extra school supplies such as pencils are kept at home.

First, written homework is completed. Then he works on studying, reviewing notes from the day, and preparing for upcoming tests. The big difference as he gets older is learning the habit of studying every day even with a test may be a few days away.

Establish rules regarding electronics We have a ‘no electronics on school nights’ rule. Cell phones are allowed to make calls to family or to listen to music. The computer may be used for homework. No television shows, YouTube videos, or video games. We are already so busy during the week with homework, chores, and sports that there isn’t much time for TV watching or game playing. By having the set rule, it’s clear where time should be prioritized and there’s no rushing through homework so a show can be watched. Although electronics can be distracting, I allow my son to use technology for things like researching a class project. Each year, more and more of his assignments are online so he needs to be using his electronics to complete homework and study.

Create a Homework station Create a homework station where supplies are all in one place and easily accessible. Because homework in our household is done at the kitchen table, I needed to create something that is portable and can be stored nearby.

Homework Station Tutorial

Step 1: Stock up on school supplies. As they reach the upper grades of elementary school their needs change. Instead of daily homework worksheets, much of his time is spent studying for a test or on longer-term projects. Flashcards and notebooks are helpful for these tasks. Mechanical pencils and pens have been swapped for pencils and crayons. In addition to a ruler, he needs a protractor.

school-supplies

Step 2: Select a container – this can be a basket, metal bin, or plastic container. I used a utensil holder that I already had lying around the house (I love using these for household kits and often stock up when they go on summer clearance).  I wanted to add the word LEARN to the homework station. I used my Silhouette to cut vinyl letters, added transfer tape, and applied to the container.  The word LEARN is done in Baskerville Old Face font and cut from gray colored vinyl.

homework-station-1

dsc_0119

Step 3: Add supplies. I like to use plastic cups in the slot so smaller items don’t get lost.

how-to-create-a-homework-station-for-tweens

Step 4: Store in an accessible location near where homework is completed. My son does his homework on the kitchen table and I store supplies on a shelf of an end table that is a few feet away. No wasted time searching for school supplies and no excuses that he can’t find what he needs.

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Hi there and welcome to Sweet Shoppe Mom. My name is Dana and my son is Brendan, also known as B. Welcome to our blog where we chat about every day life with tweens and teens.

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Cherry blossoms and koi 🌸 Have you been? First Cherry blossoms and koi 🌸

Have you been? First trip to the @jfgphx for B. He’s become really interested in Japan and hoping to travel there one day so this was a great way to experience a little bit of Japan in Phoenix. Gorgeous weather for exploring the grounds. The cherry blossoms are just started to emerge.

Reduced occupency numbers, distancing and masks required 👍😷

#japenesefriendshipgarden #jfgphx #phoenix #arizona #japanesegarden #momofteens #momofteenagers #teenagersareawesome #boymom #momofboys #arizonamom #visitarizona #visitphoenix #cherryblossom #cherryblossoms #koi #koipond
So this happened earlier this week 💉🦠😷 I So this happened earlier this week 💉🦠😷 I got my first dose of the Pfizer vaccine and have round 2 already scheduled in 3 weeks. My arm was sore the next day but other than that, I felt fine.

So many emotions. Happy. Relief. Overwhelmed thinking about this past year. Amazement for the work the scientists have done to make this vaccine available. 

I was lucky to be able to get a leftover dose that would have just been tossed. I went to a drive through vaccination site and got put on their end of day waitlist. I was #3 and when they counted remaining vaccines, there were 3! 

Use vaccinefinder.com and look for the vaccine hunter Facebook groups for your area to find sites near you. Then find out if they have waitlists. Some you have to go to the site and wait each day. Others have lists and they will call you if there are extras. I’m not an expert (always visit the CDC website for the latest information) but if you have any questions I can answer based on my experience.
Let’s go @padres ⚾️❤️ Great day hangin Let’s go @padres ⚾️❤️ 

Great day hanging out with B at Spring Training. But the WIND was crazy (so thats as good of a picture we could get). 

We had lawn seats and everyone is assigned to their own numbered pod. Limited number of tickets were sold, masks required and everything was cashless. Felt like a very safe experience but a little strange with so few people. Most fans seemed to be from out of town (probably season ticket holders which explains why tickers sold out so fast). Sadly the Padres lost but we still had fun. 

#springtraining #cactusleague #padres #momofteens #momofteenagers #teenagersareawesome #boymom #baseballlife #arizona #phoenix #visitarizona #visitphoenix
Happy March 1st ☘️☘️☘️ It’s Shamrock Happy March 1st ☘️☘️☘️ It’s Shamrock Shake season.

What fun things do you do with your family for St. Patrick’s Day?

We both love chocolate mint and love that because of the green color, it’s become associated with St. Pattys Day. We will eat all the mint creations 😋 This year McDonalds has both a Shamrock Shake and the @oreo Shamrock McFlurry.

We cook an Irish meal or go out to a local Irish restaurant. And then on the 14th, Lucky Charms for breakfast and a usually a fun gift (something green of course).

#march #stpatricksday #shamrockshake #momofteens #momofteenagers
Have you ever been to a food festival? Throwback Have you ever been to a food festival?

Throwback to one year ago, when I had the opportunity to attend Disney’s media event for the Disney California adventure Food and Wine festival. 

6 years ago I attended the AZ Central Food and Wine Experience and was hooked. Spending the day outside sampling food, wine and cocktails. There may be entertainment, a stunning venue or attractions to enjoy. Most years, my weekends January through March are filled with food festivals, the best time of the year. Most are in Arizona but the last two years I headed out to southern California for @disneyland’s Food and Wine Experience. Food, wine, cocktails and Mickey 🍷

Some festivals are kid friendly and others are adults only. But we moms, need to have some things to enjoy without the kids #metime 

What food festivals have you attended? Once things open again and food festivals start again, I hope to travel to other states for festivals (plus Disney’s of course 🙂). 

#disney #foodfestival #disneyeats #disneycaliforniaadventure #visitanaheim #visitcalifornia
Missing that Disney magic. One year ago today I wa Missing that Disney magic. One year ago today I was at @disneyland. We were just starting to hear about this virus in Asia and Europe with a few cases in the US. Was thinking about our trip to Paris in a few weeks (it didn’t happen). 

Excited for the news Disney just announced about Touch of Disney next month. Excited for the vaccine rolling out worldwide. Hoping for a trip to Disney later this year. And that trip to Europe hopefully in 2022 ✈️

#disneyballoons #disney #disneyland #californiaadventure #disneycaliforniaadventure #disneymagic #themeparks #visitcalifornia #visitanaheim #touchofdisney
(Sound on) Would you rather vacation at the beach (Sound on) Would you rather vacation at the beach or the city?

Exactly one year ago today I was sitting on the sand in at Newport Beach 🌴 I was in southern CA for a blogger conference and Disneyland media event so I scheduled some extra time for a get away to the beach. The sounds, the smells, the warm sun and slight breeze...my happy place. 

I also equally love cities, especially NYC and those in Europe. I’m planning a trip for the end of the year (with hopes travel will be safer) and I’m torn between NYC and a Mexican beach resort. I love them both. 

So which would you choose? A city 🏢 or beach 🏖 getaway?

#newportbeach #visitnewportbeach #visitcalifornia #californiadreaming #californiabeaches #waves #wanderlust
What videos games are your kids playing? @rocketle What videos games are your kids playing? @rocketleague is number one in our home the past few months. Have you heard of it? Have you played) I did 🎮 It’s fun but I was really bad at it....I’ll leave the video game playing to my son and his friends. 

Rocket League is basically a soccer game with cars. You can also buy, sell and trade car parts to build your coolest car. 

Playing video games online has been the way my son has been able to hang out with his friends this past year. They chat through a Discord group and it’s so great they have an easy way to connect (A pandemic would have been so much more isolating during our childhood without the internet...call waiting and 3 way calling was just becoming a thing in the 80s 🤣).

Besides Rocket League, my son still plays @fortnite and @minecraft. 

#momofteens #teenlife #gamer #teenagersareawesome #arizonamom #boymom #momofteenagers #thisis15
Did I commit a crime? With B at home for #virtual Did I commit a crime?

With B at home for #virtuallearning and me #workingfromhome we’ve been making an effort to find ways to get out of the house while being safe with regards to the pandemic and supporting local businesses. The past few years local businesses have popped up that we haven’t yet tried so I made a list. B has been wanting to try @urbanbobateahouse at @shopsatnorterra so we took an after school break for some #bobatea 

Now here’s question for you. I removed the boba tea cover from my drink and B was horrified 🤣 I don’t think it was a big deal. BUT apparently in the eyes of teens I committed a crime (he even backed up his claim by snapchatting his friends for confirmation). Let me know in the comments whose side you’re on

#momofteens #boymom #teenagersareawesome #momofteenagers #midlifemom
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