Our Homeschool Workboxes 2014

This is our new version of the our Montessori style workbox system we used in 2013. I saw this post by Shoestring Homeschool and that inspired me to make one for us. I had the crates and almost all the materials I needed, all I bought was more hanging file folders.

I got to say that this system is really helping me to get organize with our homeschool. My children seem to get very excited about doing their, work what makes everything easier because they don't feel like is me telling them "here do this work sheet," they know they have to go from one to six and they want to do it.

I used this Making Learning fun calendar pages to make the number grid. I printed 3 copies. I used one as a base and cut it and laminated it. I cut the numbers from he other one and I also laminated it.  The third copy was used to make the number strips to staple them on the file folders. I used velcro dots for the numbers. I wrote their name with dry erase markers on each workbox.

We use the workbox every other day and we go to our school house every other day. This is at least what I proposed myself this year, let see if it happens like that every week...I bet it won't. I set up the workbox on Sunday to be used on Monday. If we got to number 6 that day what is our goal then that day or next day I set it up for Wednesday...If we don't make it to 6 we finish it next day.

How it works? Once they are finished with number 1 they take it from the hanging file and place it on the number grid. When all the numbers are on the number grid they are done. That is it!

By using this system of workboxes you save a lot of space since you can stack each workbox on top of each other. I have one for each of my children. I ended using what we call the computer room as a school room. Here is where we use the curriculum I got for Umi's charter school. It is a small room so I wouldn't have space for the standard work boxes seen in another blogs.

I can't believe that a system so simple can be such a great organization tool for our homeshcool. It helps me to visualize what have to do by giving me a road map of steps to take. No matter what homeschooling philosophy you like or what ever style of homeschooling you do this system can really help you.

Do you have a system that works for you? Please share!

Here are other workbox systems:

Here is Sue Patrick's workbox system, the inventor of the workbox system.

Confessions of a Homeschooler workbox system tutorial video

Workbox Systems on Pinterest!!

Montessori Style Workbox System

 So I came up with a system using Sue Patrick's workbox system idea. It helps to make sure that every day they do an activity by themselves and also that it gives them something to do when I am busy or want a break. So the way I set it up is that they both have one daily activity. So on Monday they'll be doing at some point in the day Monday's activity. And they cannot choose another activity from a tomorrow but can choose one from yesterday, but only if they finished the today's activity. So on Wednesday they finish Wednesday activity then they can re do Tuesdays and/or Mondays.  This way I make sure they get a variety of activities. Saying that I am not totally strict. If they REALLY want another activity we can switch. It hasn't happened yet though. They always seem happy doing the activity of the day. They only get one activity per day.

I homeschool in Spanish as much as I can. So I used binder clips and tape to write the days of the week in Spanish and I placed one clip per space and one on the top ones for their names. I choose an activity that they can do on their own unless I know that that day we'll be home and we are not homeschooling.

Here is a close up of the activities we have. I print some things from Confessions of a Homeschooler and other resources that I find online. But mainly I use if for Practical Life activities, art, and math. 

What's on the trays this week:

Umi:

Monday: ice cube tray with cotton balls and a tweezer.

Tuesday: Number tracing printout from confession of a homeschooler (COAH)

Wednesday: Letter A dot-a-dot page (COAH)

Thursday: Pattern activity also form COAH

Friday: Math-U-See math

I am still working on setting up Little Princess workbox. I only have now paper cutting. She loves using scissors!

I use it for both of my children. Little Princes has her spot next to Umi's. You can see in the picture above . The rest if the spaces are for papers and dry erase boards. 

Montessori is about letting them do things by themselves by fostering their sense of independence, and self discipline. That makes children feel empowered. I think this workbox system does just that. They have activities that they can do by themselves when they want to without anybody telling them how and when. 

Do you use workbox system at home? Does it work for you?