Comments

Posted by Anonymous

I love this idea! Too bad I didn't hear about it sooner. As soon as we finish rearranging rooms, I'll hop to it. I need some organization to my days!
In Him,
E
www.nogreatergift.blogspot.com

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Posted by HarvestChristian

They look super! :) Can't wait to get my book.

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Posted by Sheri

That's neat. I seriously don't think I could handle having boxes and bins sitting around, but I still think it's a neat idea!

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Posted by Anonymous

That's a great idea! I used to do that in my classroom, but I should use it with Jacob now. He'd love getting to see it like that!

Melissa C

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Posted by healthyhomeschool

Leslie, that looks really cool. I remember Sue. I really wanted to be there that day, but had other obligations. Maybe I can check your system out for the next mtg! I'm planning to there with BOOKS. :)

Lynn

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Posted by amibrain

Thanks for sharing this. I bought the book, and I can't wait to read it and set up shop! I know this is going to help fix a few problems we've had around here. :-) Ami

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Posted by LeslieN

I'm so glad this has been helpful! She does have a lot of great ideas.

Lynn - I'd love to share my system with you at the next mom's meeting. I'm so glad you are coming!

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Posted by Anonymous

What are the ages you suggest using these boxes for?

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Posted by LeslieN

In her book, Sue suggests using these for ages 18 months and up. I have not yet added my youngest child to the box system yet though. I want to do it more for *me* so that I'm doing intentional things with her and covering her therapy needs.

For us, it is working very well for ages 4 through 16.

Hope this helps. :-)

Leslie

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Posted by Shannon

Wow - I love this idea! I had heard of workboxes mentioned on a couple of blogs but just hadn't taken the time to investigate. Now I'm off to Sue's website to learn how to do this.
Thanks for sharing!
Blessings,
Shannon at Song of my Heart

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Posted by Anonymous

Leslie,

Would it be okay to use your picture in a webinar I'm doing on organization? I plan on mentioning Sue's system and linking to her website. I'll give you credit for the picture. Here's the link to the webinar: www.tinyurl.com/c2aybm. It's full right now but if you get on the waitlist, you'll be notified if a space opens up as well as an email with a link to the recorded session after the fact. Both the live and recorded events are free.

On a similiar note -- I noticed a call on Sue's website asking for pictures from users. You may want to pass yours along.

Blessings,
Maureen Wittmann

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Posted by LeslieN

Hi Maureen,

It would be fine for you to use the pictures and I appreciate both your asking and giving credit.

Thanks for the info to your webinar. I'll go check that out. I hope it goes well!

Blessings,
Leslie

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Posted by Anonymous

For those of you who use this system and have purchased the book, are the cards and extras fairly easy to make on your own. I'd love to purchase the starter kit and the book, but I'm on a very tight budget, and can barely afford the book. I really love this idea and think it could work for us, so I want to purchase her book, and try to make our own pieces to make it functional.

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Posted by LeslieN

Yes, you can definitely make these on your own! Once you purchase the book, you will receive a code to access the forms on Sue's site. You can then just print and laminate (if you want) yourself.

I bought the started kit for 2 children just to started. Sue was at my house with them and I wanted to start the next day! lol I have made the rest of them for my other children using the forms on her website.

The book really has all you need. I hope this helps and feel free to ask questions any time and I'm happy to help.

Blessings
Leslie

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Posted by Anonymous

How much time does it take you to "reorganize" the boxes each night? That is what seems daunting to me... having to think through each night where to put stuff away and what new things to put in the boxes. With 4 children, it could be chaos.

Thanks!

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Posted by LeslieN

Time - Initially, it took me quite awhile (at least an hour) to fill boxes for the 5 of my children that are using it.

Since I've started, I've done a better job of organizing some of my resources and figuring out the types of things I want to do each week. Some of my subjects I try to plan out for the week. I put papers in the files on my table for each day of the week for our notebooks. This helps cut down on filling time a lot!

Now, I'm probably spending about 30 minutes. It is time well spent though because it means I'm planning and gathering all of the supplies we need for science experiments, art projects, notebooking and more. In the past that would have been time wasted or more often a project that would just go undone.

I hope this helps.

Blessings
Leslie

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Posted by gail walker

i was reading online about workboxes and came to your blog almost right away. how fun is that? i was just telling my sister about you this week and how you bless us every sale and how much i look up to you. hope you are well!

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Posted by Anonymous

I've read about this system. Your photos are most helpful to date. Now, I'm curious, as to what you would put in the box when you have multiple children using the same resource tool (book, foreign language cd)? What happens when a child gets to a box that needs mom's help, and mom is helping another child? Or, you plan for a group activities Art Lessons, and the one or two children aren't caught up to that box number?

What size shelfing and boxes do you show in your photos? Can this be found at Walmart?

Thanks for responding! :)

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Posted by LeslieN

Hi Gail! What fun to see you here! Things are a bit chaotic and challenging right now, but hopefully will settle down again before too much longer.

As for the questions, I'll do my best to answer them. Please feel free to ask any more questions that this brings up. I’m glad the photos are helpful to you. I know that I’m visual and really appreciate photos too.

When I have multiple children using the same thing I’ve done a couple of different things. If it is something that they will be doing together (for example a science experiment) then I will split up the components and put some in each child’s box. If they need the same tool/book/etc., then I will put a note in the child’s box that is using it later to get it from the other child’s finished box. (Or I’ll just move it to their box when the first child is finished with it.) I usually start with it in the youngest child’s box.

If I’m busy with one child and another needs my help I will either ask them to wait, have a sibling help or have them skip that box and more on to the next box. You could also set up a “wait center” with something fun for them to do while they are waiting for you. Could be a manipulative, a fun toy or something they would enjoy for a short time and yet could stop it too.

When we get to a group activity, I will ask the other children to just stop where they are and join me for the group activity. They can pick back up when we are finished. This hasn’t been a problem for us. I usually try to do most of these at the beginning and end of the school day when possible.

Here are the details on the shelves and boxes that I am using. I bought mine at Target.

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LeslieNelsen/667541/

I hope this is helpful!

Blessings
Leslie

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Posted by Ginger

Do you have the same subjects in the same boxes each day? For instance, is Math always in box #1?

Thanks,
Ginger

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Posted by LeslieN

Ginger - I have not done it that way but it would certainly work. For us, we have therapies 4 days a week and they are at different times. So depending on when I'm available, I try to do the with mom boxes during that slot and the independent boxes during therapy.

Now that I think about it, with my oldest two, who work mostly independently, their stuff does tend to stay in the same boxes. My daughter helps reload hers each night and just follows the same pattern.

So, I guess we do a little of both. Hope this helps.

Blessings,
Leslie

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Posted by Anonymous

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. The answers are helpful, and give me the motivation to purchase the system for 4 children, on-the-road to independent learning.

Happy new school year!

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