Homeschool Organization - Work Boxes

Hi Readers,

I haven't done a post on homeschooling yet, but since its a big part of our family, I thought I would share an organizational trick we use that can be very helpful in focusing children and moving beyond the "are we done yet?" part of homeschooling.

NOTE: EVERYTHING IN BOLD IS A LINK.  I'M HAVING TECHNICAL ISSUES GETTING THE LINKS TO CHANGE COLOR.  JUST HOVER OVER WITH YOUR MOUSE TO FOLLOW LINK.

I got this idea from an amazing blogger,  Confessions of A Homeschooler .  If you are a homeschooler, or are considering taking the plunge, this is your new "go to" website.  She has curriculum, ideas, encouragement.  And if you are seriously thinking about homeschooling, and need help in making the decision, her 10 Day Enrichment Study was incredibly helpful in aiding my decision to provide a Christian homeschool for our family (It took me around a year to make this decision).

Now onto the workboxes, you will see printable materials in these pictures.  These are from Confessions of a Homeschooler and here is the link .  I believe the original idea is from the Sue Patrick Workbox System.  

Confessions of a Homeschooler uses clear craft organizers found at craft stores like Joann Fabrics.  I bought my metal versions at IKEA (they come in white, red, and gray?).  One of my best friends found wood ones at a liquidation store.  Basically you just need something with at least 6 drawers.

How it works:

Each drawer has 1 task in it, and all the things needed to complete that task. For example, if you wanted to give your kiddo a math worksheet, you could put the worksheet, pencil, and ruler all in that drawer.  Get the idea......

Each Drawer has a number velcroed to it.  When the child completes that drawer, they take off the number from the front of the workbox and place it on a grid on the top of the workbox.  Each grid square has velcro for them to attach it to.

Here's the cool part.  They can see on the grid, how many spaces they need to go (or workbox trays to complete) until break time, snack, computer time, you name it.  It gives them a visual reference of how far they need to go until they are done.

As referenced above, all the printable items (numbers, grid, computer time square, etc...) are from Confessions of a Homeschooler. click here for printables and explanation post.

Once I printed out the supplies, I had the items laminated and then attached velcro tabs to the back of the numbers and work box (your local printing store can laminate items rather inexpensively).  Kids need to be able to pull these off easily with out damaging them.

Now, assemble everything and you are ready to go.  Our workboxes are on wheels and rest under the desk in my office.  If you have young kids and don't want them wheeling these things all over the place, I would recommend taking the wheels off.  If you keep the wheels on, you could wheel the boxes into the kitchen while you cook and your kiddo can do school at the kitchen counter.

I hope this encourages you homeschoolers, and those considering this type of schooling.  I can tell you at this point, that the hardest point for me, so far, was making the decision!

Many blessings to you - Home Centered Girl