Workboxes Home School Organization System
Posted By Jacque on July 23, 2009
Maybe you have already heard of the Workbox system by Sue Patrick. I did my own version of this system somewhat about 5 years ago, using stackable file folders when my dad gave me about 25 of them. More recently, I have been using large plastic magazine boxes to put all of one child’s books and assignments into. I am sure the actual system is much more structural and organized than mine. Mainly because I am not that organized and structural… um, really. I am great at working it out, it;s usually the daily interaction that gets in the way of maintaining organization… in other words, I just did it so I wasn’t so disorganized…
I read on Sprittibee’s FaceBook page about this system at 1+1+1=1. I remember that site. And, I remember her photos of what she did with her pre-schooler, but it just looked like too much for our large family. Or maybe I didn’t think it would work as is, because I thought it was a program just for pre-schoolers. Anyway, I have revisited the idea, re-visited the blog posts like the one at 1+1+1=1, and have found out quite a bit more about it. It has inspired me to get out the stackable file folders for Rachel, and maybe Eric, and use the plastic shoebox-sized containers for the Littles.
Amanda was good enough last week to get me 20 shoebox-sized containers. In several of the posts, I read that they had gotten their plastic containers for $1 a piece at Target, and we don’t have one close, so I figured these were, at $0.97, probably the same size. They were a bit smaller. (Should have known, considering it’s WM.) But, they will be fine for some of the workboxes. I had her get only twenty, planning to use around 8-10 each for five children, but I remembered the file folders, and I believe that will work better for Rachel, who is 15.
I plan to use them with Eric, 12, Hannah, 9, Isaac, 6 this week, and Caleb, 4. I may have to have a few for Lucy, because, even at two, I know she is going to love to participate! Rachel and I will work out using the file folders and her schedule and plans together.
Here are the links I found that interested me about the Workbox System:
Most of these, if not all, have photos and descriptions of how each family uses this system. It is great to see this in action and read through posts where the blog author has shown the work done by their child or how the system is working for their family size and ages of children. Take a look at each of them!
A Comprehensive Review written by Kari for Curriculum Choice of Sue Patrick’s Workbox System©. It is basically a blogger’s who’s who of Workboxes. It has blog links, photos, discussions, memes, a chart of resources, and more.
Walking By The Way – Workboxes!
She also has a post about how she made up their Workbox Schedule that includes a link to some really cute picture tags to add to your schedule, like Outside Time, Read Aloud, Computer Time, Pick Up the Yard, Break, Eat Lunch, and others!The ChatterBee: Getting Organized with Workboxes! – be sure to read both pages of comments!
Color Me Orange: This is The Best System Ever!
She also has a link on her blog to Click to join workbox_funPB&J Homeschool: Workboxes – I Love Them!
EDITED: I have seen so many additions to the Workbox Method all over the internet: FaceBook, TheHomeschool Lounge, Twitter…. I got a pingback today, and here is an excellent and LONG list of An Amazing List Of Workbox Links… at Sunflower Schoolhouse.
I will be posting about this again, when I have my laminated tabs for each workbox and file and divide up their books a little to show you what exactly we are doing in them, a schedule for it, etc. It will be interesting to see how we can fit our day into it or how it fits into our day! I hav a feeling there will be a lot of flex time… especially for the Littles!
I hope this has inspired you to organize and use whatever means that works best for your family home school this year! Remember, we keep them home to live life with them, knowing they will learn at every moment. Education is secondary (but it sure is a lot easier to educate if you are somewhat organized!).
Blessings to you in your planning and learning this year!
If you have a blog post on Workboxes, please feel free to link it in the comments section to share with my readers!
Coming Next: 2009-10 School Year Planning
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18 Responses to “Workboxes Home School Organization System”
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Great minds think alike. I wrote about my school box system today, too. Kev would never go for the actual boxes. He hates Homeschool mess and clutter. We get by with file boxes.
Sprittibee´s last blog ..Homeschool Teacher Talk
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July 23rd, 2009 at 3:33 am
I have not decided if I am going to keep the boxes on some of the bookshelves or in the closed cabinet that has doors on it… If I do that, they will completely fill the shelves up!
We get to use the Attic Room for school this year! Remember the room we had sectioned off that you all stayed in? I will have to take some photos as soon as I empty my two long tables and actually get the room in order!
I know we are all going to have a great year this year! Be blessed! Hug your sweet kiddoes for me!
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That is a very good post Mom! Love you!
Love
Hannah
Hannah´s last blog ..From The Learning Room 2009
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Thank You so much for this post! What an excellent idea! I have my older 2 trying something new for keeping their papers together too. Perfect timing.
Melissa
Melissa´s last blog ..Contractors, Electricians, 6 kids, 2 cats and 1 dog…
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I used to do something really similar to this system when I was a preschool teacher!
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We love the workbox system!
http://delightfullearning.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20Workbox%20System
We love Tot School too!
http://delightfullearning.blogspot.com/search/label/Tot%20School
Th Preschool Corner is another good one!
http://delightfullearning.blogspot.com/search/label/Preschool
Sooooo happy to have found your blog through your daughter’s blog! Wonderful to see the mom behind the virtuous daughter! My dd is 2 and I am excited to be raising her for the Kingdom along with my 4 boys. Looking forward to reading more.
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August 3rd, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Thanks Michelle! I have been checking out your blog posts as I can. Thanks for leaving your links! I am excited about implementing this into our learning!
Nice to meet you!
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Hi Jacque
I too have been reading the different tweaks on Workboxes but have decided with my older kids that they don’t need the physical reminder, that they work well from a list (at some stage kids have to transfer to a to-do list). I do have one question though that I haven’t got around to asking anyone – so I’ll ask you. As you get this system up and running I would be interested to know how much time it takes to fill in the boxes each night? Love to hear back from you once you are up and happening.
Live life with your kids!
Belinda´s last blog ..Heart Focus Parenting
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August 3rd, 2009 at 9:09 pm
I will be happy to share that with you as soon as I get to work on them!!!
)
I plan on getting all of their schedules on here and how we work it all out!’
I also plan to make it as simple as possible. I do not plan to have them do a lot of worksheets. We’ll see how things pan out.
I do plan on having Rachel and Eric make up their own lists and work from them out of the files or a plastic expandable file folder. I think if they have a place to store their papers, ideas, etc in this type of workbox-fashion, it will be a good thing.
Hopefully soon! If we can get out of the barn!
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We’re using workboxes too – I posted about the overall system recently and some of the number tags I made for our preschooler. In the next few weeks I’ll be posting the other printables too {number strips, numbers, and soooo much more!}. We’re really enjoying them and how we modified it to fit our family – which is also coming in a post soon!
http://homeschoolcreations.blogspot.com/search/label/Workboxes
I love that the system is flexible enough to use with so many different variations!
Jolanthe Erb´s last blog ..Curriculum Clean-Out!
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August 3rd, 2009 at 9:02 pm
I will have to check those out! I just made some of my own too. It is a slow process planning this right now, with all we are doing with the goats and our new monster Great Pyrenees puppy.
Right now, if I made up workboxes, they would be all about going to the barn anyway!
Thanks for sharing your link!
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Lovely site! I found your post about workboxes while doing a search on google. I just implemented my own take on workboxes for my son. I am using drawers and visual tags for subjects. lefttotheirowndevices.blogspot.com
Michelle´s last blog ..My Take on *Those* Work-Boxes
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Great post! I, too started workboxes the last week of school last year because I just couldn’t wait. I posted today on my blog about them, too! What a wonderful idea, and it seems to work for so many different styles of homeschool moms!
Enjoying your blog, your family is beautiful!
Angela Mills´s last blog ..Workboxes!
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[...] Walking Therein [...]
I guess I missed all the Workbox chatter when I was in the hospital. Just now found tried it and LOVE it!
Click my name to see photos.
Robin @HeartofWisdom´s last blog ..Need to Get Organized? Check Out Homeschool Workboxes
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One of my convention speeches is called Organized Homeschool. I always love to hear new things people do.
Thanks for the great write up!
Alison Moore Smith´s last blog ..Best Toys: 60 Educational Family Games
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