We are still using our workboxes. If you haven’t heard of Workboxes, it is a great organizational system for school work created by Sue Patrick. You can learn about them on her site.
One thing I love about the workbox system is how easy it can be adjusted to fit your individual families needs. We adapted our system last year, to fit in with our apartment living. The kids loved it so much, that I have decided to use them again this year.
Here is our basic set up: (Recourses will be added to the end of this post)
I found these three drawer boxes at Target. I loved the fact that they had them in two different colors, since I am using them for two children. I found the cubed shelving unit at Lowes. (I already had this before I got the boxes.) Each child has 9 boxes. Sue Patrick suggests 12 boxes, but 9 fit perfectly in our cubes, so that’s what we are using. Each box is labeled 1-9, and has a piece of Velcro off to the side.
Each child has a ring that I use for their schedule strips. As the children begin their boxes they remove the first number from their schedule strip, find the matching numbered box, (this is great number practice for preschoolers) place the number on the Velcro at the front of each box, and remove the work from that box. Some days we only work through our boxes, and all the kids will have on their strips are the number cards. (as shown above) Other days I will add Activity cards to their strips. (P.E., Computer, Wii, Snack, Etc.) When the kids are done with their activity cards they place them in a zip lock bag for safe keeping.
In using workboxes I have found that there are pro’s and con’s.
Pro’s
- The children’s work is presented in a fun way.
- They feel like they have clear knowledge of a starting and ending point for each subject.
- The schedule strips help keep them on target with what needs to be done.
- They feel like they have more control of their day.
- I am forced to make time to do things I wouldn’t have made time for otherwise. (Geo Safari, File Folder Games, Etc.)
- I am more organized, so I accomplish things, and have more time for things other than school.
- It keeps the kids excited to find out what is in their boxes (especially the younger children)
- They work more independently.
- I can adapt it for when we are on the go, and still stay on schedule. (will post more about this later)
- It helps keep my Pre-schooler engaged, and moving.
Con’s
- It requires daily set up
- I have to take time to plan out our week, or I am rushing to fill the boxes
- It can be pricy to set up
- Unless adapted to fit your family, it can take up a lot of room, especially if you have more than one child
It’s safe to say that we LOVE using workboxes. This is one fad I fell prey to, and I’m glad I did.
Workbox Resources:
Other workbox set up’s-
- 1+1+1=1
- A Comprehensive Review of Sue Patrick's Workboxes
- Homeschool Creations
- Confessions of a Homeschooler
- Yahoo Workbox Group
- What’s in the Box
Workbox Schedule Strips, Number Cards, and Activity cards can be found, and printed for free on each of the sites listed above. These are my favorites, but there are countless ideas of how this system can be adapted for your family, as well as free pintables'. All you have to do is type in “Homeschool workboxes” in your search engine.
