Thinking outside the Box (or chart)

We've had a much needed lazy day at home today - we had tea late yesterday after our day out, and  Mummy ended up having to go out before they went to bed, to have a go at Zumba (for those who read my entry the other day on "support systems" - it was my chance to have some Mummy-only-time), so of course, the boys were all excited to have Daddy putting them to bed, and what with one thing and another, they ended up going to bed very late. (DS2 was the only one asleep when I got back from Zumba at 9pm)  So - lazy day needed today!
Yesterday we had a new book arrive while we were out that caused much excitement: Backyard Science (to build on the enthusiasm generated by the TV Programme of the same name, as mentioned in "Playing, creating and relaxing")  DS1 was very keen to get stuck in to creating a weather station that he could report back from, and got straight to work on the computer, first creating a Weather Report chart (to fill in once we have the equipment up and running)...

Meanwhile, DS2 & 3 were playing happily in their rooms, building some lovely creations with their Kid Knex  (they even thought about how to display it so Mummy could take a photo)...

All of this I was really happy with, not least because none of it had been instigated by me - their own interests are already coming to the fore - yay!  However, it kind of rendered useless the star chart created last week: I had no spaces allowed for Science, IT, D&T etc - all of which are valuable and important subjects.  They do generally enjoy the chart, and it's proved so far to be a good way to get them thinking of anything other than TV, Wii or nintendo dsi which seem to be their default desired activities after breakfast.  But what do I do with it now?  Maybe I could just have 5 generic 'learning' boxes (I still want 5 for household stuff in case they have a 'non-academic' kind of day - I want them to know that practical jobs such as those around the house are also really valuable).  And for the 'learning' boxes, they could maybe have a longer list of things to choose from...?  The problem is, I'm now struggling with segregating subjects in that way - I was initially hoping that they would get a bit of Maths & English done most days, hence having them on the star chart - but the truth is, you can't separate the subjects like that - eg DS1 got some Maths & English in while doing his Science project (drawing up a chart, spelling & comprehending the new words, he'll be learning to use a protractor for making the wind machine, etc etc).   And as for the whole idea of presenting it all as 'work' to be crossed off a list anyway - is that really what I want to communicate?  I've made no decision yet - these are just questions going round my mind while we explore Home Education as it best works for us...
Anyway today, contrary to expectations, turned out to be a non star chart day - for DS1 at least: he was concerned that we was running out of time to get his other stars, so I reassured him that as he was doing a big project, he didn't have to do the star chart.  DS 2 & 3 got bored of KidKnex after a while, and carried on getting their stars - so perhaps for now we'll keep it in reserve for days when any of their inspiration is low.  After all, it has been very helpful so far, but watching DS1 find something he's interested in and then equipping him to explore that interest as far as he can take it (to the point where he just forgets about games consoles) - well, to me, that's everything I hoped Home Ed would be :)