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Jumpin’ On the Workbox Bandwagon- With a Twist
By Kendra | August 19, 2009
Anything that gets me organized, motivated, and allows me to keep school running (nearly) on its own is a winner of an idea.
Sue Patrick’s workbox system sounded like a good fit for our family, except I wasn’t sure how in the world I would get so many boxes in our schoolroom (plus, my frugal side didn’t like shelling out so many clams to invest in them, either).
After reading through several great blogs which described how workboxes were being used in other people’s homes, I landed on the idea of making work files for two of our children- the 3rd grader and the k/1st grader. While I am planted in the school room in the afternoons, available to any one who needs my help, these two girls can be working through their files systematically.
Here’s what we did:
I numbered 4 sets of file folders, 1 through 12. Each set holds the work to be done for each day, and I figured I’d just organize them for four days and keep Fridays for any make-up we need to do. There are 12 folders for each day because that number gives me a lot of options.
Each folder contains a designated activity or paper to complete. Here in folder number one we have Rod and Staff First Grade Reading Workbook papers, one per day.
Here’s the fun part. I photocopied the boxes of several of her favorite games and then laminated them. Instead of having to put the whole game in the file or box, I just drop the card in and she goes and gets the game.
Works for outside activities, too…
…and chores…
…and snacks!
So, what goes into each folder? For our first grader:
1. Rod and Staff Worksheets
2. Rod and Staff Reading Workbook
3. game
4. penmanship
5. art or Literature Pockets
6. math
7. outside activity
8. snack
9. puzzle
10. fold laundry
11. dry erase board
12. tidy schoolroom
And for the third grader:
1. Math
2. Art
3. Pathway Readers
4. Visual Perceptual Skill Building
5. Cursive
6. outside activity
7. snack
8. Writing Tales
9.Craft
10. Copywork
11. Fold Laundry
12. tidy schoolroom
Topics: Educating at Home, Resources, School Organization | 33 Comments »
August 19th, 2009 at 3:11 am
Yeah! We are using workboxes too. Boxes for my over 4’s and trays (tot-trays) for my toddler (2yo). We tried it for a month before the summer and it worked a treat. Using a similar set up to you – for space reasons!!
August 19th, 2009 at 3:28 am
We are doing workboxes this year too! We are doing the racks but I think this is great too, especially for the larger families (we have 3) I think we are going to LOVE this system, my kids are excited just seeing me put it together. My daughter keeps asking , when are we doing school? Now that is music to my ears!
LOL
Angela
August 19th, 2009 at 4:03 am
I am excited to see how you are using this in your schooling. We are also doing the workboxes and my girls really like it.
Alicia B
August 19th, 2009 at 4:45 am
I love the idea of copying games to put in! We do workboxes as well…I really need to post about them
.
August 19th, 2009 at 5:16 am
Love the folder idea – I felt like our house would drown in boxes with our family. Can you mention where you found such cute chore graphics? I have been hunting for something sweet and have not found anything.
August 19th, 2009 at 6:04 am
I like it…. seems soo much more “do-able” than all the boxes:) And I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the idea of having pictures of chores, games and outside activites!!
Where and how do you store all the worksheets, activites and plans that you have “ready to use” for the year??? I’d love to see the organization of your system.
August 19th, 2009 at 6:29 am
First of all, I was up pretty late, and you hadn’t posted this yet. You sure do stay up late. I just listened to your workshop on Practical Classical, and you mentioned you stayed up late. Crazy! However, I totally appreciate it. Once again, you have more great ideas, plus great pictures for us visualer learners:) It is so great to be starting this journey of homeschooling and to see God using experienced women of God like you to encourage me. Your ideas are so helpful. So, if you feel tired today, just know that someone out here in CA is very appreciative:)
August 19th, 2009 at 8:32 am
I love this! I am definitely going to see what we can work up here, stealing a TON from your ideas!
August 19th, 2009 at 8:49 am
Not that late, Debra! The posts are on automatic and post sometime in the middle of the night when I’m sleeping
Where in CA are you? That’s where we are, too!
August 19th, 2009 at 8:50 am
Kelly-
Hmmmm… not sure about that yet! I do have those magazine holders- one for each child- in the office (could also be stored in the school room) and I tend to plop the books in those. We’ll see how it goes.
August 19th, 2009 at 8:51 am
Margot-
I just google
August 19th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
While we pretty much use the ACE curriculum with paces, we still us workboxes…although I call them schoolboxes. They keep their pencils, erasers, rulers, score keys, paces, extra workbooks, etc. in them. We have 4 schoolboxes that sit in an alcove in the dining room but I don’t know what I’ll do when all 7 of them need a place to store their schoolboxes!
I love the literature pockets and writing tales…may have to add that in! Thanks again for all your hard work on this blog!!
August 19th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
We are also using the workbox system and love it! I like how you set yours up.
August 19th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Kendra, I live in Valencia, CA (Near Magic Mountain and Master’s College). I can’t wait to come visit you at one of the homeschool conferences! One little question…do your kids ever play outside together during the school day? Do they mind playing by themselves? I only have a 2 1/2 year old and 16 month old for now, and they just love playing outside together. Wondering if as they get older they don’t mind playing outside together.
Thanks again
August 19th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
You are officially a homeschooling rock star.
I miss you!!
Kate
August 19th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
What you put into your boxes, I put into binders with different sections. I put in 1 week at at time. That way they can work as fast or as slow as they want, but it just has to all be completed by the end of the week! I find binders easier on my limited space.
Also, we are just starting to use Pathway Readers and workbooks this year. Does it really take a whole year to get through the readers marked for that year? I just can’t imagine that my 5th grader will take a whole year to get through her reader.
August 19th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Brandy-
I don’t use Pathway Readers beyond 3rd grade. I really want them reading “real” books at that point, and actually, this is my first third grader to use them- I usually stop at second grade but my current third grader loves them. In your case with a 5th grader, I would stop after the reader and workbook is done and assign literature, biographies, historical fiction, and/or non-fiction books on topics that interest the child.
HTH-
Kendra
August 20th, 2009 at 7:19 am
The photocopying of the front of the game?
Genius.
I’m tucking that one away for the future….
August 20th, 2009 at 7:43 am
I’m trying to understand why workboxes are better than a to-do list? Seems like workboxes would take a LOT of space, esp for large families! Do you just use the workboxes for younger students and a to-do list for older students?
August 20th, 2009 at 8:28 am
Heather-
The workfiles will free me up to not have to tell the little girls what to do each step of the way, particularly the non-reader. Just pull out the next thing and go! My older kids (11th, 9th, 7th, 5th grades) will have checklists.
August 20th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
I am a mother of a 1 and 3 year old. I am struggling of when to start and what to start with as far as my 3 year old goes. I don’t want to puch him, but he is so curious and wants to learn. Do you have any suggestions about how to start, where to start, and what to start? Anything you have would be appericated. When did you start with yours? Ohhh..sorry so many questions, I think I went overboard.
August 20th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Hi Chelsey-
I’d start with learning activities, like Lauri puzzles and peg boards, Wedgits, and fat crayons.
Have you seen the Before Five in a Row curriculum? Wonderful for the littlest learners!
August 20th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Thanks for the advice, Kendra. That did help. I mapped out the whole year and how much they needed to do each day and the readers finished way early in the year. This will get them going and then I will most definately fill in the rest of the year with what you suggest. Thanks!
I also took my “daily task” sheet for my kids and expanded it like you do to “weekly tasks.” Now they just fill in the bubble when they complete something and can see in advance what is expected of them for the week. All this advance planning is looking so much better than the Sunday night marathon. Thanks for all of these tips!
August 20th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
Yay, Brandy! I’m glad you’re finding some peace!
August 23rd, 2009 at 12:30 pm
I really like your adaptation of workboxes- I’m seriously considering trying this with my 2nd grader. She just is not getting the hang of the weekly chart I make- this has some fun activities listed on it as well as school work. I do have one question- I’m a bit embarassed to ask- I feel I should know the answer- but with the card games- who does your daughter play with? Most of the games we have of this type really require at least 1 other player and most of those players (in our house) would be doing their school work. Thanks
August 23rd, 2009 at 1:46 pm
That’s a great question, Cheryl. We’ll be using whoever is available, which sometimes will mean me and sometimes will mean she has to skip that one or wait until someone can play with her.
August 24th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
I like this idea, but our room is very small and I homeschool 4 – with 3 extras twice a week. Last year I began using clip boards with the little ones. It has worked very well for us.
The older 3 girls just have a typed paper that they mark off what they do each day.
Still, I may eventually figure out how to implement this idea after our baby is born in a few weeks.
August 25th, 2009 at 6:16 am
Wow, this is really cool.
Kendra, I just wanted to tell you how much I love your site. I can’t remember if I’ve written before, but I am the wife of a dentist, too, embarking on homeschooling our 3 little boys. I love your wisdom. Thank you for giving it!!!!
October 22nd, 2009 at 6:01 pm
I added you to the I love Workboxes list. Love the idea of adding a snack. http://bit.ly/42XO4L
Hey, I just thought, you are gogin to have to rename your blog in a few years.
Great post and photos!
October 22nd, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Thank you, Robin.
Change the name of P and P? Say it isn’t so!
March 24th, 2010 at 7:51 am
I had this page bookmarked, and last weekend I finally got to work and gathered everything I need for the rest of the school year. I have a binder for each child with twelve tabs (one per week), and I just put all the worksheets and activities behind the tab for that week.
The kids are loving it so far this week! Thanks for the ideas!
April 2nd, 2010 at 3:20 pm
How is this working now that it has been implemented for a while? Just curious. My children are about the same spread as yours, and I am planning this for the younger three (1.5 through 7), while the older three will continue to work off their lists (weekly lists with a monthly “big picture” and “looking ahead” sections for the future or longterm projects.
Thanks for sharing this.
June 2nd, 2010 at 11:40 am
[...] thought, given what I read around the blogosphere! What I’m swiping is Kendras idea over at Preschoolers and Peace. I’m sure many people do it this way, but she is the first one I saw, so I’m [...]