I was in Office Max with a friend when we happened upon a Post It Note system

that I got REALLY excited about – Until I saw the price tag of almost $18.00.  So – I took the idea – and then went to BiMart and purchased a couple of poster boards and some post it notes pads.  I sat with a friend and drew a HUGE map of what I wanted to do.  My need was to have a place where the boys could look to see upcoming events, events in the day and week, and be prepared for them. Instead of hiding activities and then surprising them on the way, I’d like them to know, and be prepared, and be able to handle the anticipation of a fun event.  But my poster was enormous – and overwhelming. So  day one I just wrote out their to dos on the post its and adhered them to the desk. It worked. But I liked the chart idea. 

So today, I started a search on Post It Note Calendars and found quite a few. What started to intrigue me was the various words of the sections and color code names. I don’t like to “do school” or have it as a category. I don’t like the idea of chores being a struggle, and only the fellowship being free time or play time as the only fun. I don’t like to think of spending 20 minutes studying for a test, when we could  spend 20 minutes practicing a skill to demonstrate or display.  So on a 3×5 I started to write my categories – Responsibilities, Service, Learning, Fellowship, Assembling. I also like the definition of Chore – and will use that word – it does not seem to have the connotation of being bad – but necessary.  We have used the Service Opportunities Chart from Doorposts.We colored in their pictures, Laminated it, and then cut them in little squares. We have used these squares on all sorts of boards. My thought is that they have things to do everyday, but these service opportunities can help the family, take from my burden of work, and be worthy of payment or credit or some sort. So – We will have a  vocabulary lesson on the following words at our house, and these words will form the basis of our scope and sequence for 3rd and 6th grade. I feel the urgency in Middle School to have things that they boys are resonsible for, accountable for, and able to do on their own, creating a lifestyle of priority setting, time structure, and the freedom that comes from working on your expectations – knowing that every minute of the day is valuable. 🙂 Happy Definition Reading.  These came from the 1828 Websters Dictionary.

CHORE, n. In America, this word denotes small work of a domestic kind, as distinguished from the principal work of the day. It is generally used in the plural, chores, which includes the daily or occasional business of feeding cattle and other animals, preparing fuel, sweeping the house, cleaning furniture.

RESPONS’IBLE, a. [from L. responsus, respondeo.] 1. Liable to account; accountable; answerable; as for a trust reposed,

SERV’ICE, n. [From L. servitium.] 1. In a general sense, labor of body or of body and mind, performed at the command of a superior, or the pursuance of duty, or for the benefit of another. Service is voluntary or involuntary. Voluntary service is that of hired servants, or of contract, or of persons who spontaneously perform something for another’s benefit. Involuntary service is that of slaves, who work by compulsion.

LEARNING, ppr. lern’ing. Gaining knowledge by instruction or reading, by study, by experience or observation; acquiring skill by practice.
LEARNING, n. lern’ing.  1. The knowledge of principles or facts received by instruction or study; acquired knowledge or ideas in any branch of science or literature; erudition; literature; science. The Scaligers were men of great learning. [This is the proper sense of the word.] 2. Knowledge acquired by experience, experiment or observation. 3. Skill in anything good or bad.

FEL’LOWSHIP, n.1. Companionship; society; consort; mutual association of persons on equal and friendly terms; familiar intercourse. Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. Eph. 5. Men are made for society and mutual fellowshi

IN’TERCOURSE, n. [L. intercursus, intercurro; inter and curro, to run.] Literally, a running or passing between. Hence, 1 . Communication; commerce; connection by reciprocal dealings between persons or nations, either in common affairs and civilities, in trade, or correspondence by letters. We have an intercourse with neighbors and friends in mutual visits and in social concerns; nations and individuals have intercourse with foreign nations or individuals by an interchange of commodities, by purchase and sale, by treaties, contracts, &c. 2. Silent communication or exchange. This sweet intercourse Of looks and smiles.

CLASS, n. 2. A number of students in a college or school, of the same standing, or pursuing the same studies. In colleges, the students entering or becoming members the same year, and pursuing the same studies. In academies and schools, the pupils who learn the same lesson, and recite together. In some cases, students of different standings, pursuing the same studies and reciting together, or attending the same professor, or the same course of lectures.

SCOPE, n. [L. scopus; Gr. from to see or view; Heb. to see, to behold] The primary sense is to stretch or extend, to reach; properly, the whole extent, space or reach, hence the whole space viewed, and hence the limit or ultimate end.] 1. Space; room; amplitude of intellectual view; as a free scope for inquiry; full scope for the fancy or imagination; ample scope for genius. 2. The limit of intellectual view; the end or thing to which the mind directs its view; that which is purposed to be reached or accomplished; hence, ultimate design, aim or purpose; intention; drift. It expresses both the purpose and thing purposed. Your scope is as mine own, so to enforce and qualify the laws, as to your soul seems good. The scope of all their pleading against man’s authority, is to overthrow such laws and constitutions of the church – 3. Liberty; freedom from restraint; room to move in.