Posted in Lessons from Our Humble Homeschool

The new craze in the homeschool movement is Workboxes developed by Sue Patrick. Before I get into our use of them I want to highly recommend you see her site (www.workboxsystem.com) and purchase her book if you're interested. I bought the e-book which I got instantly and was able to begin setting up our workbox system right away. There's also at least one workbox yahoo group out there. I'm a member of this one (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/workbox_fun/). (I can't figure out why my hyper-links don't work???)

I came across a blog in May whose author mentioned her use of workboxes and I was intrigued. I now believe it was no accident because the workboxes have transformed our homeschool for the better. My youngers don't know "school" any other way, but my olders tell me regularly that they love the workboxes and they prefer "doing school" this way.

I've had to adapt the idea because we are short on space. With 6 blessings and another on the way, I cannot possibly have a shelving system for each child in our classroom, or even spread throughout our home. We use a file box per child with 8-12 envelopes inside each box. We call the file box their Workbox and the envelopes their Pockets. Here's what we do:

 1. I fill the boxes each night or early in the morning before lessons start. I start with their schedule grids, schedule folders, pre-made tags, and workbox pockets. I use my lesson plan lists (by subject) and their schedule grids (by child) to fill each pocket. (Sue talks about the schedule grid in the book.) In the pockets go any worksheets or paper they need. I also include workbooks, picture books, novels, file folder games, math manipulatives, special tools like post-its or permanent markers that are not readily accessible, etc. If they are doing something that I cannot put in the pocket, I will put a note like “Meet me in the kitchen for a special snack.” When we play games, I will put a piece of the game in each child's pocket (ie, a bingo card). I do not put textbooks or everyday items like pencils, crayons and glue sticks in the pockets.

This is my spread of "stuff" getting ready for a new school day. Missing here is the schedule grid and my lesson plan lists.

This is a schedule grid. Each child is assigned a different color and I use their colors for everything.

This is my box of tags which go on the pockets and on the schedule folder. These took quite a bit of time to make, so allow yourself some prep time before you begin using the system.

2. I combined a few aspects of the workbox system into one schedule folder for ease and organization. On the front cover is the child's name and their 3 "Help, Please" tags. (Sue explains these in the book. They have worked in helping my children to be selective about interrupting me with questions.) Inside the folder is their schedule on the left and a place to collect tags from their pockets or centers that have been completed. This gives them that visual inspiration to keep working because they can see how much they've done and how much they have left to do. If an assignment requires my input (like teaching a math lesson) I add a "Work with Mom" tag to the front of the pocket. They are allowed to ask any questions they need to while they're completing a Work with Mom pocket.

This is the front of a schedule folder.

This is the inside of a schedule folder. You can see the schedule on the left. I made extra tags that I leave at each center so they can add those to the "Done" side once they've completed it. They also have number tags attached to their pockets which also go on the "Done" side.

This is a pocket with a "Work with Mom" tag.

3. These workboxes are ready for the day. (This was a light day for my kindergartners. The toddler's box is filled with different toys each day.)

4. The children check-in at the start of our lessons. They like this step. It helps them get into the mindset for learning. They also like to tease each other if anyone forgets to check-out at the end of the day that they “slept in school.” We start the day in our Morning Center. We pray here, say the pledge, look at pictures of our baby’s development, do our counting and calendar activities, and read a couple stories. Even the big kids enjoy this part of the day.

 In and Out pockets and cards.

 5. Next, the children gather their workboxes and move to our work table. They love the anticipation of seeing what's on their schedule and what "surprises" are in each pocket.

6. We've had a very difficult couple of years with my husband away from home often due to military obligations and my cancer incident last year. Our homeschool became, "Just the facts Ma'am. Nothing but the facts." In other words, the fun stuff went out the window and we focused on dry basics just to get by. What I love about this system is that it has restored the "fun" in our homeschool. We incorporate lots of centers and learning activities that we just couldn't make time for before. It also allows me to teach multiple grade levels and still have time for one-on-one interaction with each of my children. It's amazing!

Luke working on a geography center.

Lucy after completing a science pocket chart.

Leif working at the center table making a book mark.

Levi at the listening center listening to a book-on-tape.

Lily at the art center.

Leah at the listening center.

10. As they complete their work, they turn in any paperwork and workbooks to the “Done Basket” on my desk. They put their empty pockets into the “White Basket” on the floor so they’re ready for me to fill again.

I LOVE this system. It works well for my organization-craving brain. There’s a place for everything so it’s easy to keep our classroom clean. Both my children and I know what is expected for the day. Teaching my kindergarten level children, including one with special needs, how to use it has been a little bit of a challenge, but that is to be expected at their ages. Lord willing, by next year they’ll do this without thinking about it! Also, filling the boxes daily is difficult. I haven’t settled into a pattern with that yet. However, I believe the Lord led me to this because I need it this year!

Blessings,