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Becky Parker
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| Posted: June 29 2009 at 7:01am | IP Logged
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Wow, I love all these workbox posts!  Can we add one about tips to keep things organized? I struggled toward the end of last year because I felt disorganized and I didn't like the idea of putting "just anything" into a workbox, but on the hectic days, that's what I ended up doing.  This year, I'm trying to get things set up so that the items I put into the boxes are a little more relevant.
For each of my kids, I'm creating a spreadsheet with 12 (or however many workboxes they will have) columns acoss the top. Each column will be a different subject, including several for just fun items. I'm going to list all the materials I have available, hopefully in the order in which I will use them, under each heading.
(I'll number the far left column with the days of the school year.) That way, when it's time to fill boxes I'll have all the possibilities from which to choose in front of me. Of course, this is subject to change based on the needs of the child, but I'm going to try to get an idea of where they will be by looking at the math they will be doing, or the books they should be reading, etc. All these workbox posts are going to be really helpful for this. I'll try to get organized and add my additions to them!
I'm going to work on our routine a bit too. Last year, the kids all had different times and subjects for which they would meet with me. When they got to a "work with mom " workbox, they would come to me or I would come to them. This got a bit hectic with three kids needing me for different subjects at different times. I think I'm going to go back to meeting with them individually for all the subjects they need me for and the workboxes will contain only indpendent work. This will keep them focused and moving even when I am working with somebody else. They will, of course, come to me with questions, but I'm also going to encourage them to go to older siblings for help.
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Becky
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CandaceC
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| Posted: June 29 2009 at 7:46am | IP Logged
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That's a great idea, Becky!
What I have started doing is putting things that I only use in workboxes in a crate off to the side, usually away from where the kids can see it. Then, I can go through that crate when I need something to put in.
However, I do think I may need to do some sort of master list too, as there are things I forget about.
I have a question: if you have special "fun" things to put in the workboxes, do you allow your kids to play with those things at any other random play time during the day? I made the mistake of putting out one of our "fun" items and figured the more they play with it the better, well, now it's not "special" anymore and I feel kinda bad putting in in the workbox?! Am I just overanalyzing? 
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: June 29 2009 at 8:15am | IP Logged
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Since I have a schoolroom in the basement, I'm able to save things for just school time. I keep the door shut all summer and put things in there that I want to save for school. This makes the "opening of the door" (sounds rather ominous  ) when the new school year starts all the more fun. Many of the "fun" items I plan to use aren't new, but since they haven't seen them all summer they will be enthusiastic about them. My daughter was already begging to go play in the schoolroom yesterday when a friend was over. I stood my ground though! It's only June!
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Becky
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Mimip
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| Posted: June 29 2009 at 11:40am | IP Logged
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Becky and Candace,
I am thinking how I can do this logistically and am wondering how you rotate things in and out of the boxes? Do you have a spreadsheet of all the things you want to use for the year (or term) and just place a check mark or date when you put them in the crates?????
I was thinking all weekend about these workboxes and what was stressing me out was how to keep track of the whole thing and rotating to make sure we get to everything we want to all term.
TIA
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Mimi
Wife of 16 years to Tom, Mom of DD'00, DD'02, '04(in heaven) DS'05, DS'08 and DS '12
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: July 02 2009 at 8:41am | IP Logged
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mimip wrote:
Right now I am working on a spreadsheet with ideas that will go in each of the kids workboxes. I really feel like I need to get some sort of system going so that I don't get lazy and just give up
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Becky Parker wrote:
Me too Mimi! Care to share how you are setting your spreadsheet up? Right now I am setting one up for each child. Each spreadsheet has categories (enough to match the number of workboxes for that child) across the top and I've numbered it down the first column for each day of the school year. (It's LONG!) I was thinking I would plug in an item for each work box for each day of the year so that I know at an instant what I can put in the workboxes each day. It's getting a bit overwhelming though. (I tend to bite off more than I can chew in these situations!)
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Becky
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sewcrazy
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I am using a crate system to organize my workboxes. I spent last week setting it up. I have made good progress on the first quarter.. I have a hanging folder for each week with a manilla folder in it for each day.
I made a master assignment list for the quarter for my binder and then weekly ones to put in each hanging folder. Then I made up assignment cards to go into each folder. Each flder also holds all the worksheets and printables for the day and any books that we are using from our home library. I dismantled the few workbooks I use, so I can put just the assigned sheet into the workbox. I have a list of crafts for the week with supplies needed for each craft. I also have a library list.
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LeeAnn
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Mimip
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| Posted: July 02 2009 at 9:47am | IP Logged
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LeeAnn,
So do you set it up week by week and then do the actual putting in on the night before? That might work better for me. Do you do anything for a certain amount of time?
What I am thinking is things like Lego projects. Those will stay in the container for the week until finished with a timer for their alloted amount of time they get?
What about a book? Will it just stay in workboxes (maybe changing #) until they are done?
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Mimi
Wife of 16 years to Tom, Mom of DD'00, DD'02, '04(in heaven) DS'05, DS'08 and DS '12
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sewcrazy
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| Posted: July 02 2009 at 10:27am | IP Logged
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Yes, projects will stay in their boxes until they are done, as will books that she is assigned to read. I also have certain boxes that are "assigned" boxes.
Here is an example from my 10 year old's:
Box 1 is Laura's Math box. While the worksheets change daily, the timer for drills will live in the box, as will her counters, a pencil, eraser, and ruler.
Box 2 is Latin. Latina Christiana book and CD, and her notebook stays in the box. As will her CD's of the basic repertoire of the Mass in Latin and the Rosary in Latin. She puts one of these on when her Latin assignment is completes and leaves it on while she knits.
Box 3 is her knitting. The yarn and needles will stay in the box while not in use. This box also has a timer in it.
Box 5 is history. From Sea to Shining Sea is our spine this year and it will stay in the box. We will also be doing lapbooks, and each lapbook will stay in until it is completed.
Box 7 is Catechism so will always contain her Faith and Life book, her Bible and the CCC.
Box 9 is her nature journal, and so her journal and colored pencils will remain in that box.
Box 11 is science. We are using Exploring Creation through Astronomy this year, so the book and her notebook will remain in the box.
Box 12 is cooking. It contains a cooking book, "Tea and Cakes with the Saints", the notebook we are working on for recipes, kitchen hints, and such, her apron, and her set of measuring cups, spoons and cooking utensils. it is her job to make our tea time snack.
I have left plenty of boxes for "extras" but there is no way I could redo every box every day. Also, clutter is a huge problem in my house, and if things weren't returned to there box when done, we would have problems!
Also, I am not using shoe boxes. I have a large rolling cart with drawers. We tried the shoe boxes and it was too visually cluttered for me.
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LeeAnn
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Babs
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| Posted: July 02 2009 at 12:29pm | IP Logged
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Thank you all for sharing so much info about your workboxes, it is so helpful to hear how others use their systems.
Becky,
Do you put everything on your spreadsheet, like every math lesson. or just extras? I already use a spreadsheet set up the way you describe for all of the things we have to do and I am wondering how I could add the extras, since they would rotate? Maybe it has to be a second spreadsheet?
LeeAnn,
Thank you so much for this post! We used workboxes for the very end of the year and they really helped us. I had not considered having assigned boxes but that is just what we need. I was wondering if your daughter leaves her work in the box, how do you handle checking?
I tore our workbooks apart last year and although tearing those nice fresh books apart was painful, I was so glad. I also filed them in each weeks folder.
We are using rolling carts with drawers because I could not stand the visual clutter either. We can also just roll them to another room if we migrate (which we always do). I was wondering how many drawers you might use?
Could you give us a little bit more info on your assignment list and cards? Do you put everything on the list and card or are they just for extras? This is the part of my system which is not yet running well. I want to make sure I am using all of the resources and "fun stuff" which before workboxes was almost totally neglected.
Sorry, I am completely organizationally challenged but I am great at following direction, once I finally figure out how to make something work right! Getting there is the challenge.
God Bless,
Barb
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sewcrazy
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The main books and accessories stay in the boxes, she puts worksheet pages and her notebooks in my basket. it is easy enough to check them and return the notebooks to their drawers.
The assignment lists is everything I want to her accomplish that day, from prayers to crafts to reading to worksheets. The assignment cards are for specific daily assignments, for example, read pages 11 and 12 in Faith and Life and narrate. Or work on Grandma's scarf for 20 minutes. The cards are clipped to the appropriate drawer .
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LeeAnn
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Babs
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Lee Ann,
Thanks for explaining. That comprehensive list sounds like a great idea so things won't be forgotten, or at least you would know so you could reschedule if necessary.
When I read about the assignment cards I thought they might be more standard that would be reused, maybe for the "extra, fun" things.
Last year we did not have assigned boxes and some days we did not complete all drawers because of outside activities. So the next day I would just move the unfinished drawers up to the top and then fill the others. Can anyone explain how you do this? If you have assigned drawers do you have them complete the drawers in the same order every day? Would you always start with the same subject or just keep going where you left off?
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sewcrazy
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We do hings in the same order. It appeals to my kids to know "what comes next" and the routine of the order works for us. If we don't finish certain boxes, I simply leave the same things in the box. Then if we have left overs, we do them either in the evening or on Sat morning. So far that has only happened a couple of times. Mostly, if we have to leave during the day, I have them get back to work when we return.
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LeeAnn
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Mimip
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| Posted: July 02 2009 at 1:34pm | IP Logged
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Lee Ann,
Thank you so much, this break down is exactly what I needed to comprehend. So the boxes that don't have something specific get something different according to some type of schedule or unit based study. Great! I am using a wooden bookshelf and some sort of boxes that I am still working on. I know that the first 3 #'s will be in a 3 drawer container that I can repurpose for this.
Babs, from what I understand, the children would just do the assignment the following day and you would fill in the ones that the children did finish with new material.
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Mimi
Wife of 16 years to Tom, Mom of DD'00, DD'02, '04(in heaven) DS'05, DS'08 and DS '12
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: July 02 2009 at 2:33pm | IP Logged
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Babs wrote:
Becky,
Do you put everything on your spreadsheet, like every math lesson. or just extras? I already use a spreadsheet set up the way you describe for all of the things we have to do and I am wondering how I could add the extras, since they would rotate? Maybe it has to be a second spreadsheet?
I want to make sure I am using all of the resources and "fun stuff" which before workboxes was almost totally neglected.
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Barb,
The reason for my spreadsheet is, as you stated, I want to use all the resources which I have neglected in the past. Even with the workboxes, I often forget about the great things I have, so I thought the spreadsheet would help. BUT, my spreadsheet is getting a bit overwhelming. I'll try to explain a little better about how I plan to use it, and maybe someone will have some tips to share to simplify things.
The spreadsheet for my 3rd grader (for example) has twelve columns and enough rows for each day of the school year. I am not going to date them, but number them instead - I hate getting behind. The columns are labeled:
Meet with Mom
Religion
Math
Language Arts
Spelling
Handwriting
Phonics
latin
History / Geography
Science
Extra 1
Extra 2
My plan is to use these subjects as a guide to come up with activities for the workboxes. The Math will always have his assigned lesson for the day. The Handwriting box will either have a page from HWOT or some copywork to do. We will do Phonics during Mom time, so that column will list things I have that will be extra practice for Phonics, like sandpaper letters or our "beginning sounds chart". The "Extra" boxes are for things that are just fun. I plan to have the first three boxes always the same - Meet with Mom, Math and Phonics. The rest of them will be moved around for interest.
Does that make any sense?
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Becky
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AndieF
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| Posted: July 02 2009 at 3:54pm | IP Logged
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How would you do workboxes when you have children that are sharing some books? I will have a 2nd grader, 3rd grader, 4th grader, and a 5th grader. Each child will have their own math book, spelling book, and writing. But the 2nd/3rd grader will be sharing science books, grammar, geography, music, art, etc. The 4th/5th grader will be sharing also be sharing books, and everyone will be using Story of the World I.
My thought so far is to have a 3 drawer 12 x 12 plastic drawer thing for each person's individual, and then 2 3 drawer things for the 2nd/3rd grader and 2 3 drawer things for the 4th/5th grader, and I'll just have to have them use them in different order or something.
I don't know. I really want to use this system, but I just can't figure out how to make it work for our situation!!!! It's making my brain hurt!
Andie
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: July 02 2009 at 4:33pm | IP Logged
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Andie,
You could keep the shared books on a shelf, then do something like I do for when we have a group project or game when the children need to wait for one another. They each have a popsicle stick with their picture glued to the top (or you could just write their name on it.) Then, when child-A is waiting for the Science book he puts his popsicle stick in a ball of clay that sits near the shelf. When child-B is done with it, he checks the ball to see who needs it and gives it to that person. When a person is waiting for the book, after putting his popsicle in the clay, he goes on to the next workbox.
Or, if you're using this as a group activity, a child who is ready for the activity puts his stick in the clay and goes on to his next workbox. The other children do the same until everyone has their stick in the clay.
Sue Patrick addresses this in her book in a different way, but I tweaked it a bit for us. I'll have to read what she said about it and get back to you.
Editing to add you could also just make sure you schedule them at different times. So for Science, make sure child-A has the shared book as one of the first workboxes and child-B has it for one of the later boxes.
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Becky
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: July 02 2009 at 4:53pm | IP Logged
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Okay, while folding laundry I think I figured out my spread sheet dilemma. Thank you for your patience in letting me ramble on about this silly spreadsheet!
As usual, I tried to micro-manage things to the point that the system is so complicated I just want to chuck the whole thing . So, I simplified it by getting rid of the column of numbers but left my headings at the top. Under each heading I will list all the available workbox items that I have. I wanted to have a way to record when the child used the particular items so I decided to leave a blank row under each item listed, and I will shade it gray. In that space, I will record the date that the item was used, or I might just put tally marks for each time it is used.
Hopefully, this one will work!
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Becky
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Mimip
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| Posted: July 08 2009 at 6:38pm | IP Logged
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Just getting around to this after thinking about my situation.
Becky, that is exactly how I set up my speadsheet!! I am working on it right now but I think I need to stop for a while since I have 3 weeks left this school year so I keep trying tweek and it is not working.
I think what I am going to do is number my spreadsheet with box numbers.
For example, we always start with Math with my DD age 9. I will always put her Math card in box #1. Since we are using Teaching Textbooks, I will just put her worksheets in there everyday. In her spreadsheet, Box#1 will be Math with blank columns. Everyday that we do the Math Teaching textbooks I will write the date into the spreadsheet, thus creating a contemporaneous log (its what is required by our state).
Okay, that is really confusing but I hope it helps with some organizing. I would be more than willing to share the spreadsheet when I get it done
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Mimi
Wife of 16 years to Tom, Mom of DD'00, DD'02, '04(in heaven) DS'05, DS'08 and DS '12
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Martha in VA
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| Posted: July 10 2009 at 10:32am | IP Logged
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Just a quick tip for you workbox fans. Target has the boxes on sale 5 for $4. I was just there this morning.
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Milehimama
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Another tip:
WalMart has 5 packs of the boxes for $3.50, and heavy duty nylon binder pouches (for preschool in a bag activities) for 10 CENTS each!
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Topic: Workbox organization tips
