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About the product:  As part of the TOS Homeschool Crew  I received a complimentary copy of Sue Patrick's Workbox System User's Guide.  I was given the e-book so that I could read it and share with you my take on it.  Workboxes have been totally hot among homeschoolers lately, and I was anxious to crawl out from under my rock and figure out what all the fuss was about.  After reading the book, I decided that I would not be able to implement the system in my home at this time.  (Not that I don't find it intriguing; I'll explain more under "The Crazy Mom Take.") However, I can give you my take on the book itself.  Before doing that, however, let me give you a peek of what what's inside. 

Here is a list of the book's chapters:

• The Benefits of Homeschooling
• How We Teach and Train
• What is the Workbox System
• Who is this System For?
• How a Day Works
• Curriculum and Materials
• Breaking Down Curriculum for Success
• Life Skill Foundations
• Discipline and the Workbox System
• Problem Solving and Specializing Your Child's Education
• Family Dynamics and Homeschooling
• Tips, Tricks, and Problem Solving

Sue's system is quite simple actually.  It uses clear plastic shoe boxes organized on a rack.  The materials for each subject are placed in a shoebox and the boxes are done in order.  You can check out a video to see more about how it works here. (Just a head's up, there's no audio.  I thought I was having a problem with my volume!) The e-book explains how it all works in detail, as well as explaining why it works.

Sue developed the workbox system when her son was diagnosed with autism.  She found it helped him stay on task.  She currently uses it with both her son and her daughter.  As she tweaked it over the years, she began sharing it with others and the rest, as they say, is history.

There is a lot more to the book than just an explanation of the system.  She shares a lot of ideas for what can go in the workboxes, and gives some fun ideas for "centers" you can set up to create an interesting learning environment.  Sue shares a lot of her homeschooling philosophy too.  She even shares about how great running has been for her family!   

What are the pros of this product?  Not having used the system I can't really give you my opinion on the pros of using workboxes.  However, I can tell you that the book gives a very good detailed explanation of how the system works as well as lots of additional information.

What's not to like? Sue is very passionate about her homeschooling philosophies and her system.  For those of us who live to tweak things to fit out own needs, she might come across as rather rigid.  No big deal to me, but others might find her too unbending.  I say, if you read the book and like the basics of the system, tweak away, and I won't tell! :)

The Crazy Mom take:  Here we go again.  Crazy Mom here lamenting about my lack of organizational skills.  If I don't do things in some sort of order, I literally become disoriented.  I actually LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, the idea of the workbox system.  It is SEQUENTIAL.  I love sequential.  I thrive on sequential.  It took me over 40 years to figure it out, but, yes, I am a totally sequential kinda gal.

So why didn't I set up the system in my own house?  Lots of reasons, really, most of them personal.  We spent the first several weeks sick.  We started a new co-op.  I already had a system set up for the year.  The biggest reason, though, is that we're ten people living in less than 1000 square feet.  I would have to do a total reorganization of my house to find a place to put the workboxes, and I just didn't think I could do it in six weeks.  Plus there is just the cost of the boxes themselves.  I have seven kids that I still homeschool here.  If each kid had, say, ten workboxes, that would be seventy.  Even at $1.00 each, that's seventy bucks.  Plus, to do it right, I'd need seven racks and seven large "totes."  We're now talking some serious cash.

All that being said, I still like a lot about the system.  The sequential part, mostly!  LOL  We actually do things sequentially anyway.  I make lists and the kids must do what's on the list, and in order.  I throw stuff in the middle of the list like do ten jumping jacks, or yell "Yoda", or run around the block.  I try to mix it up and have fun.  For me it totally works, but I admit, my kids might like the boxes better.  I learn by reading, but I do have some visual kids.  

I really would love to try this.  I have been thinking that maybe I'll try it with just one of my kids next year.  It was just too much to think about at the time I got the e-book.  I'm sure I'd have to tweak it some.  I don't have a space where the kids do school.  We just use the dining room table or they sit at the couch with TV tables.  We tend to be very relaxed and informal.  I like it that way, but we could use more structure.  Sue has her kids "clocking in and out" and we have never been anything like that.  I'm not sure I'd want to be so structured, but I wouldn't mind moving in her direction a bit.

Well, here all I did was read the book and haven't even used the system, and I've just about written my own book here!  LOL  I guess I should just let you check out the website yourself so you can make up your mind.  At this point all you need to decide is whether or not you want to buy the book.  If you do buy the book and decided to set up a workbox system, I'd love to hear how it goes! 

What's the bottom line? $19.99 e-book or paperback (Also, although you don't need to buy your materials from Sue, she does make them available on her website.  She also offers consultation services.  See her site for complete details and pricing information.) 

I am going to give Sue Patrick's Workbox System User's Guide 3 out of 5 smileys!!!

Check it out!  http://www.workboxsystem.com

See what my fellow TOS Crew members have to say @

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/HomeschoolCrew/726706/

*The Smiley System: 

I can't really recommend this product.

 I doubt this product would be helpful to many people.

 This is a good product, but isn't right for everyone.

 Most homeschool moms will find this useful.

 This is great, and I would recommend it to anyone!!!

Disclaimer!!!  I reviewed this product because I am a member of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew.  I was given the product by the vendor to use and evaluate in my home so that I might share my insights with others.  Other than receiving the product, which I kinda have to to be able to assess the product, I am not compensated for my reviews in any way.  I am in no way obligated to give a positive review.  I do try to point out negatives when I see them, though I am admittedly a pretty easy going gal!  What you read are my honest assessments of the products I receive. 

As with all products, you must do the research before buying.  Please visit the the other crew members' blogs, the vendor websites, and any other review sites you might find before buying.  I can't guarantee that a product will work for you.  You must decide what will fit with your teaching style, and your child(ren)'s learning style(s).  I do not judge anything other than the educational value of the products I review.  I am not qualified to make judgements as to the safely of any product, and I make no guarantee that the products I review are safe for you, your family, or anyone else.  I am simply giving my opinion; only you know what is best for you and your family.

Don't use your blow dryer while you sleep or take a bath.  Don't read my reviews in the tub either, and please do not read them when you are asleep, though I do not guarantee that you won't fall asleep reading them!

Copyright 2009 Ramblings from the Crazy House