Posted by: MKDirector Mar 16 2006, 03:37 PM

I am overwhelmed by all the school stuff! I was wondering what type of systems some of you use to keep their work together. Right now each boy has a HUGE binder with tabs of all their subjects. I am wondering though if having a separte notebook for each subject would be better. Plus we have some spiral notebooks. I am thinking we should use all loose leaf paper and then things could really be put together better.

Also, do you keep just one reading log or do you have reading logs for each subject?

Posted by: wings Mar 16 2006, 04:03 PM

We use crates, spirals and pocket notebooks, also one or two three ring binders. Every child has a crate and in that crate goes his school items. Then they each have a pocket pouch with pencils, erasers, and so forth. I keep the hard back and reference books on the shelf and each shelf has a topic. The main topic shelves are History, Science, Language Arts, and Mom's. Then we have misc, a couple of paperback shelves and a couple of shelves for over size books.

I like the 70 page spirals for my lot, they are filled before they become trashy looking. On the front I write the subject, date started and date finished. Oh, and each child has a color Sarah is red, Laura is blue, Esther is green, Yosi is Yellow and Yochi is to be Orange. This way just by colors in the crate or of the item I know who it belongs to. I match all the spirals, pocket folders, pouches, and anything else even calculators, rulers, and protractors. They don't switch colors once they are assigned, Sarah has used red since she was in the 3rd grade when Laura was given blue in 1st. That was 7 years ago.

With five at the table every bit helps.

Ber

Posted by: hs4hmom Mar 16 2006, 04:17 PM

Okay, well I always like to have people feel comfortable and happy in my home, so I tell them that my house is the way it is so that they will feel good about their own less than stellar housekeeping.






Seriously, we do all of the above and I try really really hard not to keep something when I don't need it any longer. EAsier said than done.

Posted by: cornerstone Mar 16 2006, 04:43 PM

I use Duotangs of different colours for each subject. Since I photocopy a lot of stuff we just have to three hole punch the pages and put them in the Duotang. I have a binder for math.

On the back of my pantry door are plastic hanging letter holders that I got at a business store. They are pretty flat to the door so they don't interfere with contents in the pantry. The top holder is for things to be marked. I can just grad what I need to view when its time for me to sit down and look. Each holder has one or two subjects in it. The lower ones for the junor children and the upper ones for senior children.
The best part is at days end its all away, neat and clean and I can regain my kitchen table.

marlyn

Posted by: Melanie Mar 16 2006, 05:21 PM

My kids each have a binder for each school subject. And they each have just one reading log, and those are filed in their portfolios that we have to maintain for the state.

Posted by: Blaise Mar 16 2006, 05:36 PM

I was trying to have my kids keep one notebook for each subject and have them keep them on their desks in bins. That hasn't worked yet. I really should go get some crates. I think that would work better.

Posted by: CelticMuse Mar 16 2006, 06:21 PM

We put everything that is not in a bound workbook (math, phonics, spelling) in page protectors in a 3 ring binder. Each year gets a shelf or more on our bookshelves. I try to keep them separate as it is easier for me. But I do have two shelves with readers on them. I am however looking for something for the teachers manuals so that I can keep them separate they take up alot of room on the bookshelf. I also think it would be nice if all of my books were in one place. We have a pencil case for stuff like that but it is too full and I need a better idea there. Will be thinking on it. I put our science experiment supplies in a plastic tote. that is working out nicely so far.

Posted by: mtbriere Mar 16 2006, 06:27 PM

I do pretty much the same as Ber. Except I didn't color code the same way. Last year when we were starting out I tried color coding by subject. Yuck, didn't like it. I may try to switch to color coding by child next year. We have a storage room that we have made into a school room. There is an old kitchen table for the kids to work at & a desk organizer on it for pencils, pens, etc. We have a shelving unit that runs the span of the room in which I use as well. Each child has a crate turned on its side to house their books etc.

Each child has a history/geography binder that houses their timelines, projects, daily questions, etc. They each have a binder for language arts, in Jacob's binder he also has a spiral notebook for spelling & another for composition. Each child has a binder for science and a spiral for math. There is more, but you get the drift.

I have a portfolio with documents, reports, and lesson plans for each child for each year.

The shelving space is divided into sections, reference, the kids' crates, supplies (we have containers of markers, glue, colored pencils, crayons, paper, art stuff, music stuff, etc.), non current texts/curriculum, free reading, and teaching helps.

I also have a small desk with a 2 drawer file where I keep all of my current teacher's editions and my supplies. I also have 4 stacking letter trays for pocket folders. Each child has a pocket folder for daily handouts, completed assignments (unless in there notebooks), graded assignments that need reviewed, and reviewed assignments that have been corrected and need to be recorded and stored. Other than that I have small stackable containers on my desk holding sharpies, highlighters, dry erase markers & erasers.

I have a small rolling table that stands fairly tall to hold all of our lab supplies. Very useful for my 9th grader in biology.

I think that's about it. I just get this all set up & then we move to an apartment.

Posted by: quiltinmommy Mar 16 2006, 08:02 PM

I'm tired and have not read all the responses so this may be a repeat.

One thing we do for math and spelling or other things that get written on notebook paper is we have a one spiral notebook for each subject. My kids work in the notebook BUT we don't tear out the pages. When they fill it up we get a new one. This keeps all the work together, in order and easy to keep track of.
I have binders for loose pages, they file every Friday. I put completed workbooks into a box... all of my kids have a box full of work. I don't know why I keep it.... I never kept stuff when they went to school.... I guess I want proof we did something....in case anyone wonders!

Posted by: Shari Mar 16 2006, 09:55 PM

My dd uses a drawer in our breakfront, she uses a drawer for her school things,then the other drawers are used for art supplies,computer supplies,top drawer is other desk supplies. It also has side cabinets,the right side has board games,the left side has my tools.

I like alot of everyones ideas

Posted by: MKDirector Mar 17 2006, 12:35 AM

Lots of good ideas ladies! Thanks!

I already have a rubbermaid bin for each of the boys and one for myself. We are currently doing school all over the downstairs and I really want to get us upstairs in the gameroom. I want it to be a "classroom" of sorts but everyone is objecting because it is the "game room"- well the game room never gets used. The pool table that hubby and the boys HAD TO HAVE hasn't been touched in eons so I figured it is the perfect room. We actually started school there and ended up downstairs- so we already have a giant whiteboard up there. Now, if I can get all our materials and paper etc etc up there, I will be one happy teacher. I would like to set up book shelves- I love the idea of labeling the shelves by subject.

Umm, one stupid question......what is a breakfront??

Posted by: MomofBunbun Mar 17 2006, 07:51 AM

There are some great ideas here. Thanks! I am organizationally challenged. I was doing so well at the beginning of the school year but I've been letting the stuff pile up for months now.

Posted by: Sharilyn Mar 17 2006, 12:48 PM

This changes for us each year it seems. I finally feel this year we are more organized than in the past. My children are old enough now to tell me how they want it. I was organizing their stuff by subject and well, it seems that doesn't work best for them. Their lesson plans were by subject but now it's weekly with all subjects on the same page. We finally went out and bought them a bookcase just for their books. I have 3 children and this bookcase has 4 shelves. 1 shelf for each child and the top shelf holds little wooden bins where they keep their pencils, pens, markers, ruler, etc... It's working great so far! After that they have most of their books with a notebook or folder/paper/binder. I let them keep it the way they want as long as they keep what I think they need (ie enough paper, organized, etc..) I finally took over the bottom shelf of the main big bookcase and all my teacher manuals are there. I have a gathering basket (about 15x10) in the living room where they are to put any books, papers that need to be graded. We have several bookcases in and around the house but the main bookcase are the books we actively use this year. That includes readers, resources, etc.. I have it organized by subject - science is one shelf, history another, geography, art and dictionaries another, etc....

Posted by: Donna Mar 17 2006, 01:25 PM

Honestly, what I did varied a bit from year to year. I never had more than one binder. For a few years in a row, I had tabs for the subjects and these were grouped for each child. I only have two children though, so that wasn't too much. There was still an element of imperfection in this system. To help the system along, assign each child a color. Use the pastel printer paper to print papers for that child.. in other words, if one child is yellow, print all of his assignments on yellow paper. Just use yellow tabs to divide his things by subject .. yellow everywhere for this child! Put a yellow sticker on the spine of his books/notebooks too if you want to go that far.

Posted by: shelbygt Mar 17 2006, 01:45 PM

There are some great ideas for keeping everything organized! I really like the crate idea. Right DS stuff is all over the house, would be nice to have it all in one place during the week.

I do have folders for each subject and the weekly assignments go in the folders. they are the two pocket kind.... so one side is to be completed and the other side is to be graded (I got this idea off of someone on here). I do have a closet (I bought it at lowes, it has double doors.... one side has a bar to hang stuff from and the other side has shelves and there is a shelf that runs across the top.) on the top shelf I have binders for each subject and then one large binder for his portfolio, also on this shelf are his boardgames. On the hanging side, I have some evan moor units, and on the floor of that side are things like posterboard, rolled up project paper. on the side that has the shelves I have all of the work books and text books. it is NOT organized. I have tried to organize it several times but everything I try fails. I may try some of the suggestions on here.

Posted by: mommyoftwo Mar 17 2006, 05:54 PM

This was a friend of mines idea but I thought it was brilliant. I scan my kids work that I want to keep and put it on a disk, there for I don't end up with a million boxes of stuff. Some stuff I keep in original form but most gets scanned. Each child has his own disk.

Jennifer

Posted by: cctabb Mar 17 2006, 07:34 PM

That is a great idea. I don't know where I'd find the time though. But one day it may all come down to that.

Posted by: Teresab Mar 17 2006, 08:56 PM

OOOHH. I love that scanning idea, Thanks! I have bookcases galore in our schoolroom, and I have all of the books separated by subject and grade. There are also shelves for their colors, games, all of that. We are not as organized as all of you. I have started a binder on each child, I do like that. SO, we have been filing things on Fridays. We have a 5x7 table that dh built for me to use for scrapbooking, but I use it for school instead.
The girls all have a plastic bin they keep their stuff in on top of the table. Mine is just stacked in the middle of the table. I keep all my original copies of lesson plans, attendance, grades, all that in a binder I made for me on school.(Got this idea from Gayle Graham's book "How To Homeschool) I have a 4 drawer filing cabinet that I keep flashcards, charts,extra spirals, pens, that kind of thing in. My dh made me a poster keeper, that I use for all of my bullitin board stuff and big maps. Then I have a 5x8 white board in that room. We got lucky when we bought this house in that it has a room the size of a double garage that we use for the school room. We have a separate area in the same room that we use for art day.

Posted by: ucfgizmo Mar 17 2006, 09:37 PM

We have one of those boxes from Office Max which you can put hanging folders in. I have folders for each subject. Whenever I print something off the internet I file it that night. Plus I have one notebook for the kitchen table that has print outs and assignments I want to cover for that week.

She has all the fiction books on a huge bookshelf in her room. I have all the rest of the books in our office/library. Her math workbook, Phonics Pathways and First Lang Lessons seem to reside on the kitchen table at all times... its just easier to reach when I need them.

I have two reading logs. One is part of my lesson plan book and that includes all books she and I read; the other is a list of books she reads to me, and those are little sheets which get added to a little 3 ring. Each has ten spots for her to add stamps for each book she reads. Once she reads 10 books she earns a reward.

Her finished work goes in a boot box in order that she completes it. Newest stuff on top.

Hope you find a system that works for you!

Posted by: shelbygt Mar 17 2006, 10:54 PM

We were at home depot and I found a plastic crate for 2.50 . I let DS pick out the color he liked best, he choose blue. We are going to try putting all work for the week in the crate, hopefully this will work becaue right now it is all over the house.

Posted by: JessicaN Mar 17 2006, 11:18 PM

Did they have yellow? I'll have to go look tomorrow, Justin has loved yellow since before he could talk, lol.

Posted by: shelbygt Mar 17 2006, 11:22 PM

The one we went to only had blue, green and clear. I dont know if there was a yellow one. Good luck

Posted by: Teresab Mar 18 2006, 01:43 PM

Val
It works for us to keep them in one of those. I clean theirs out every Friday. I just noticed your signature. I love your school name, and the message it sends. Great job on that!

Posted by: Teresab Mar 8 2006, 10:43 AM

And do you stick to it? I have the book "Managers of their Homes". It sounds great. My biggest deal is that I am not disciplined enough to STICK to a schedule, EVERY day. Do you have a certain time you all get up, get schooling and all that? We get up between 7-8, start school at 9-10. Not much of a schedule, huh? I really need to do better on this. How do you all handle this?

Posted by: mimzie Mar 8 2006, 11:38 AM

That's more of a schedule than we have!! LOL We wake up at some point, depending on what time we went to bed and do school at some point during the day. Could be early, could be after the sun goes down. Once all 4 kids are doing school I hope to have a better schedule but right now I have 1 doing school and 3 not so makes it pretty hard to get the one working!

Posted by: Hindsfeet Mar 8 2006, 12:00 PM

Yes, I use a schedule and I have MOTH... I also highly recommend A Mother's Rule of Life by Holly Pierlot. It's written by a Catholic woman and I'm Protestant, but it really spoke to my heart! And it helped me prioritize a lot. I also like Kym Wright's "Women: Living Life on Purpose" which helped me a lot in creating chore charts, etc. http://living-life-on-purpose.com/

MOTH is great, but at first glance it's rigid (it's not intended to be rigid though) and the other two books I found to be more inspiring & encouraging without the rigidity.

Posted by: Blaise Mar 8 2006, 01:32 PM

No schedule here. As long as their school is done before any activities we have that day, I don't mind when they start. I should really be more organized, but I am working on it using the 70 day change your life challenge.

I've also been more on a schedule this week than ever because I've been babysitting, and had to be up before 8am... and stay up.

Posted by: Appliejuice Mar 8 2006, 03:48 PM

I don't have one either, but I really do need to get one. The only schedules that we do have are for outside activities and dinners. I have used Donna's http://household.donnayoung.org/fullsize/timers/index.htm, but have never been able to stick with it. It looks so good on paper, I have no idea why I can't stick with it.

Posted by: Hindsfeet Mar 8 2006, 03:54 PM

Michelle, I would guess that you're making a schedule that doesn't fit your family. If you have one that fits your family/lifestyle, it's a cinch to stick to it... otherwise it's near impossible.

Posted by: TiffinKY Mar 8 2006, 05:14 PM

I have a generalized plan for the day, but I don't like rigid schedules. They suffocate me.

Posted by: chocolatechic Mar 8 2006, 05:28 PM

I have a schedule.......we thrive on schedule.....

Posted by: Sherinova Mar 8 2006, 05:41 PM

This is more like me. I even rebel against my own generalized plans, let alone a written schedule. I'm sure there's a specific diagnosis for this behavior of mine....rebelling against oneself.......sad but true.

Posted by: Donna Mar 8 2006, 06:26 PM

I've tried it all-- been strictly organized, flexibly organized, barely organized and I have lived on the edge.. (living on the edge is my current state ) It is clear to me that I get more done when I know what I am supposed to be doing. Also getting things done takes away the muddled feeling one gets when they are overwhelmed from living on the edge. (Currently muddled, I am, and tired of it) This week I have been poking at getting back into my flexibly organized schedule. The flexible one is where I have a group of chores and duties to do in a large block of time. It worked for me. I got off it last year because I am shell-shocked from my son moving out last year. I'm no longer lying prone on the floor of life, I'm sitting up now and hope to be standing soon.

Posted by: Melanie Mar 8 2006, 06:34 PM

I have a general schedule. We do the same three things every day - breakfast, chores, school. We don't have schedules within that schedule, though.

Posted by: Again Mar 8 2006, 06:37 PM

I crave a schedule!! But can't seem to find one that fits..........we are living the closest to a working schedule as we ever have right now.

What I found has been working for us is to start our schooling in the afternoon.........after lunch. We are all more ready to just sit and do our thing then. The kids have the morning to go out and play in the yard or for us to visit the Grands....and then still do school in the afternoon. Mark doesn't come home until 6:00pm or so..........and that gives us plenty of time to do our work. This schedule will probably change as the kids get older.......but for Kindy and 2nd it is working just fine!

.......and we all sleep in!

Posted by: Teresab Mar 8 2006, 06:47 PM

Donna,
That sounds like me to a tee. The moving out of my oldest has put me in a new realm....
It has been very hard to deal with. But getting back on topic........I need a schedule. As someone said, if I make one that fits MY life, it SHOULD work? Sounds good. I'll be back later.

Posted by: school2 Mar 9 2006, 07:55 AM

Posted by: school2 Mar 9 2006, 08:11 AM

I'm just counting on God to give me the grace to deal with my oldest leaving home when it happens. It makes me crazy to think about it right now. So far he gives me the grace when I need it but not before

I need grace today Why is the schedule you plan in August looks so easy and in March it's next to impossible?
Spring Break could not have come at a better time I need to do some serious revamping Here we go homeschool moms here we go!

Posted by: mtbriere Mar 9 2006, 08:12 AM

We fluctuate all over the spectrum. I have a schedule for each child & myself and review/revise it each semester. Sometimes we stick to it, sometimes we don't. My oldest dd & I are the most likely to stick to it. My younger 2 are the most likely to not. Dh refuses to be on a schedule, so I have to take that into consideration when making mine. He seems to think that I am "telling him what to do", even if he has asked me to give him an agenda.

I really need to get back to my routines...

Posted by: CelticMuse Mar 9 2006, 08:32 AM

schedule? what is that again? Actually all joking aside I have a lose flexible schedule during the school year and a more rigid one in the summer. Because in the summer we do swim lessons and have extra kids. I do however need to get back into my routine that I lost 3 years ago when I had to go to work. I was using a combo of MOTH and Flylady and the house was always clean, school was done and we were doing great but I've never been able to get it back. Maybe in a few weeks when the baby is not quite so demanding.

Posted by: siscaboo1512 Mar 9 2006, 09:00 AM

We have a schedule and have been sticking to it because of adding another person. I think that I thrive on schedules because when I am not on my schedule things just don't go right and the kids act crazy like they don't know what is going on.

Here is a look at our day. Most of the time it is followed. But, like Social studies we have been cuting that out alot lately.




Schedule


1. 8:00

Posted by: quiltinmommy Mar 9 2006, 09:36 AM

I'm so proud of you Donna!

I think flexibly organized describes me. We do have a plan, but it's nto rigid and can take "some" unexpected changes.... "some" being the key word....it might stress me with too much!

Posted by: hs4hmom Mar 9 2006, 10:22 AM

We don't have a schedule so much as a routine. We do things in a certain order. When they are started is not as important. However, with chores (caring for animals is one of them), things start first thing in the morning.
It works for us most of the time and allows for those days when life has gone a little haywire.

I used to try to schedule, but we are not disciplined enough and since we have a business here at home, it also interferes quite often.

Posted by: cornerstone Mar 9 2006, 01:21 PM

Okay I will be different.
I'm an organize freak.
Actually I have to be. We run a dairy and sheep farm as well as homeschooling.
Cows have to be milked at a certain time twice a day, so I can't sleep in, even if I wanted too.
I am a morning person, so we do the bulk of our schooling in the AM. The afternoon is for fun and housework.
I too use flylady and once a month cooking. I find having my meals planned at the beginning of the month a relief on a rather busy schedule. Every day has something in it that is different both in schooling and extra activities. The kids know the hummm of the days. It only changes during haying season.

marlyn

Posted by: Teresab Mar 9 2006, 01:31 PM

I would love to have a dairy. SO what method of oamc do you use? I have Dinner's in the Freezer, and Once a Month Cooking. I do enjoy having the meals in the freezer, dh says they just don't taste the same..... Maybe I freeze tham wrong?

Posted by: Nana Apr 3 2006, 11:28 AM

I have made some decisions finally... (all subject to change at a moments notice)

Kindergarten
Math - Saxon K
Handwriting - Worksheets from Online and some basic books we got at Sams
Reading/Phonics - Starfall.com, Bob Books other online phonics and workbook pages
Social Studies - will be learning about community and other simple things If I find a GOOD kindergarten text I will get it but....
Science - have NO idea yet

3rd Grade
Math - Saxon 3
Spelling - Zaner-Bloser 3
Handwriting - Zaner-Bloser 3
Reading - Abeka Readers 3
Social Studies - Abeka 3 (maybe) or Bob Jones
Science - have NO idea yet

4th Grade
Math - Saxon 3
Spelling - Zaner-Bloser 4
Handwriting - Zaner-Bloser 4
Reading - Abeka Readers 4
Social Studies - Abeka 4 (maybe) or Bob Jones
Science - have NO idea yet


I forgot

Language Arts
K - just phonices and reading readiness stuff
3rd - Have NO Idea yet
4th - Have NO Idea yet

Nana

Posted by: wings Apr 3 2006, 11:48 AM

Looks like you are doing great! I totally understand the 'subject to change' line.

Ber

Posted by: tabv Apr 3 2006, 12:31 PM

Looks good!

Lately I've just made sure we have stuff for language arts and math, and use the library for the rest... but doesn't it look good to have it all laid out like that?

Posted by: Blaise Apr 3 2006, 12:40 PM

Looks good to me.


We don't use an official Science curriculum. Everything is just kinda hands on. We have lots of books with science experiments and the kids read stories that incorporate Science into them, like Arthur Scott Bailey's Sleepy Time Tales

Posted by: Beth S...in AK Apr 3 2006, 01:11 PM

Looks like a great plan, Cheryl!

Have you looked at Considering God's Creation for science? We did that with all the Dc 2 years ago and they enjoyed it.

Posted by: Nana Apr 3 2006, 01:21 PM

have a web site for it?

Posted by: Beth S...in AK Apr 3 2006, 01:36 PM

Here is the website, but I recommend getting it used if you can find it.
http://www.eagleswingsed.com/products/cgc.html

Posted by: chocolatelover Mar 15 2006, 11:02 PM

Last year you had a "School Calendar for the year of ____2005 Through ____2006"
You could pick the month that you wanted to start in (2 month choice) and end in.

Do you have one for this year or where can I find the one from last year??

I have dug for it and can't find it.


Thank you.

Posted by: Donna Mar 15 2006, 11:08 PM

Do you mean one of these?
Homeschool Calendars

Months available are June, July, and August and I try to keep a couple of years online at a time.

Posted by: chocolatelover Mar 15 2006, 11:16 PM

Yes Those are them.....


You are so wonderful..
I am so glad to have you to help me.

You really take all of the hard work out of homeschooling.....
Well if I could get you to teach and squat this "I don't want to" out You would be amazing...

I guess I can't want you to do everything.


Thank you again


I love all of your charts and helps....All I use. Thank you.

And all the way to 2008
That is so wonderful...

Thank you.

Posted by: Donna Mar 15 2006, 11:19 PM

You're welcome and thanks!

Posted by: chocolatelover Mar 15 2006, 11:23 PM

No......
Thank you.


I really don't think I could homeschool if I didn't have all of the help you offer.

Posted by: school2 Mar 15 2006, 11:41 PM

I agree. I can't imagine doing this without Donna. I read DY site for 2 years before I had the courage to homeschool. Your forms really make it look doable and take some of the mystery out of where and how to start. Thank You

Posted by: Donna Mar 15 2006, 11:55 PM

You're welcome Lisa!