Throughout our first year of homeschooling I was told that I’d look back and realize how completely awful I was at it. OK, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but I definitely look back and wonder how someone like myself, so full of neatness and organizational abilities, let it get so bad. Sure, we had fun and Babydoll learned tons of stuff, but it wasn’t a smooth process by any stretch of the imagination. To help with this, I decided to implement the workbox system going forward.
This is what our new system looks like. We have 12 workboxes, four bins for supplies, and a bookcase with curriculum materials.
When Babydoll begins her day, she’ll get her blank schedule strip…
…and look for box number one {or whichever box happens to be first for the day}. I wanted to have a fairly open system, so she’ll always work in numerical order, but box number one may have a subject in it that we don’t use everyday, so there will not be two numbers on the front. She knows to look for the boxes with two numbers: one to place on her schedule strip and one that labels the box. So, if box number three is the first box {in numerical order} to have two numbers on the front, that’s the one she starts with for the day.
She can take one box out at a time and work on it. It if has a “Mom” circle, she needs to do the lesson with me; if it doesn’t, she can work on that box by herself. This is a better example of what I was describing above. Box number one only has one number sticker, so she knows she won’t use that box for the day. She’d start with box number two, which has two number stickers on it.
Once she is done with the box, she’ll take off the number on the left and place it on her schedule strip.
Now, she can look at her schedule strip and see which box she has done, and she can look at her boxes and see which ones still need to be done.
After each box is completed, she’ll place her work in the “inbox”, where it will sit for me to check.
If she needs help with something and I’m unavailable, she can place a “Help” sticker on her work.
Even though Babydoll still needs me for quite a few lessons, this system also serves as a great way to keep me organized. I’ll plan out about two weeks in advance and make a note of all books, worksheets, etc., we need and place the work in her boxes each night. Bottom line is this: she’s looking forward to starting school and I’m thrilled about our new setup!
The workbox system was developed by Sue Patrick and the schedule strips and stickers I used were developed by Cassie Jones. You can see her workbox setup at Spell Outloud.
About Tiffany Manley
Tiffany is the sparkly mastermind behind Sweet Phenomena. She hangs on Google+, Twitter, & Pinterest.
Hi found you on work boxes. I am your newest follower:) Great blog! I think our daughter might be around the same age.I just started blogging too.
http://lifesadventures-amb.blogspot.com/
Hope you check it out.
Anna-Marie
Hi Anna-Marie! Thanks for stopping by and for the compliment! My daughter will be eight next month; such a fun age!
Those are the coolest workboxes! I wish I would have bought a bigger workbox system. I wasn't sure how it would work for us, but my daughter loves the organization of it. Following from Melissa's hop!
Tiffany – WOW, that is so awesome. Love the colors and the orgnaizatioj of it all. Thanks so much for linking up to my blog for the Show off Your Homeschool. I am a new follower now and hope to "see" you again!
Melissa
http://just-starting-out.blogspot.com/
That looks so organized, wow! I'm visiting from the homeschool room linky party.
Very nice! I'm sure she loves working in such a cute, organized space!!
I just love your workboxes. Everything looks so neat and organized.
@melismama
Thanks for the comment and for stopping by! I love the idea for your link-up; it's such a great idea!
@Jennifer
Thanks so much Jennifer!
@iliveinanantbed
The space has really helped us this year; I love it! Thanks for stopping by!
@Sarah
Thanks Sarah, and thanks for stopping by!
@Sarah
Thanks Sarah, and thanks for stopping by!
@melismama
Thanks for the comment and for stopping by! I love the idea for your link-up; it's such a great idea!
That looks so organized, wow! I'm visiting from the homeschool room linky party.
I just love your workboxes. Everything looks so neat and organized.
How adorable! Love it! So happy you linked up with me!
…d
Please tell me that your school room isnt always that clean hehe! I am starting our workbox system soon. I love our trofast systems and am debating on purchasing one for the school room.
Ha, no it is not! It’s my daughter’s bedroom, so it usually doesn’t look like that.
Love the Trofast for the school stuff.
Love this! I’ve been looking at workbox ideas, and I have to admit this one stood out because our schoolroom color theme will be green and pink…
Thanks! We still love our system!
Wow, how awesome! That room is great!
Have a great weekend!
Michele
Thanks so much!
Thanks for posting this! I need more ideas about workboxes, I think this will help me get my mind around how to organize better. I’m visiting from the crew and read your ways to fail at planning – now I’m off to read about the time4learning review!
Thanks so much for stopping by!!
We did workboxes when reviewing Sue Patrick’s ebook on the TOS Crew 2 years ago. It worked wonders for me, but I keep hesitating get it started here. Wish I had such a nice set up for it…
I can’t believe I ever homeschooled without it… I am fortunate to have the space I do, but sometimes I think about giving up the guest bedroom for a full-on school room.
Your workbox system looks phenominal!!!
Thanks Vickie!
Very nice workbox system setup. We’ve used several different systems over the years. Currently, we’re not using the workbox system, but many of the ideas behind it are still in use.
Thanks! We’re still working it out for us, but overall I like the idea behind it.
Your workbox area is very nice.
Thank you Lisa; we enjoy it!
We love our workboxes too. Ours are not so professional looking and cost me nothing. We use a combo of cardboard boxes and what plastic boxes we had on hand. We make do with what we have. When we need a new box I have a few saved up in the basement. I am glad the system is working for you. Great first post!
Thanks for stopping by Debbie! That’s what I love about the system, you can adapt it for your family!
If our homeschool stuff didn’t need to go in my daughter’s room, we probably would have done something less the way it is, but I figured I’d give her something that matched.
LOVE this workbox system! Very cheery looking, and must be a real motivator. Well done!
Thank you!!! We love it!
Very Cute!