My quest for organization and sanity in the classroom led me to a variation on Sue Patrick's workbox system. Our home office doubles as the classroom so our space is very limited. Here is our current set up.
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| The Sterilite box on top of the shelving system is my middle son's workbox. |
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| Here you can see I am using a classroom mailbox for my oldest son. |
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Each child has a number strip that lays out the days activities. Emmanuel removes his numbers and places them on the box when he has completed his assignment. This is helping him learn number order.
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| You see him removing his number card from his strip. |
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| He then places number on the box and pulls out the appropriately numbered bag. |
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| He has found the correct bag. Now he will take bag to his desk. |
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| Once he is finished he puts all contents back into the bag and places bag into his box. |
For my oldest son the process is not as exciting. His boxes are numbered and each day his boxes are pre-filled with the items we are working on for the day. His number strip is strictly his guide he does not remove his numbers. So if there are only six boxes filled he can visually see that he only needs to complete six boxes but the number strip gives him the layout for the day. This has removed the "How many more things do we have to do today question" Our general pattern right now is first we do our together work which is bible and memory work. Then we move on to the workbox. Boxes one and two are completed then we take a break. Then we do boxes three, four and five have lunch. After lunch we complete the remaining boxes. Those are generally filled with games, crafts and independent reading. When he has finished his work he puts everything in his box as well. That gives me an opportunity to review and then reload his boxes. There are some boxes that have the same thing everyday like math, reading. Other things like science, history and Spanish can vary in their sequence as these are not taught everyday.
This method is very time consuming but I have found that we are getting so much more accomplished out of our day. So I would have to say the time spent is well worth it. In addition I have found that I am using a lot of the things that I have purchased.
This
site is where I got the inspiration on how I could implement the workbox system effectively in my space.
4 comments:
Love our workboxes!! My children know whats expected of them and our responsible for getting it done. They are still young( soon to be 8 and 6) so I still spend ALOT of time helping, but it does keep our day running smooth.
Yes Yvonne, I am enjoying the workboxes. My children are not at the stage where they can do their work by themselves howeverwe are getting so much more accomplished. I am really surprised and encouraged by that.
Okay, I LOVE your system. So efficient and neat. So great that the boys are learning early! :-)
New follower here!
Tiffany,
It looks like you guys are and on your way w/school. We start in just a few weeks and I'm still trying to get everything ready.
I tried using the workbox system before and wasn't organized enough to even get organized. This year is a little different. I am going to try them w/my pre-K child and see how it goes. I believe he will enjoy it. I am still using independent binders w/my older two, but will be making some changes w/those this school year.
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