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LLMom
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| Posted: April 06 2010 at 5:57pm | IP Logged
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I was wondering for those of you who have used workboxes this year, has it been good or did you find that you gave it up or??? Just wanting an update. We have used them all year, and I have mixed reviews. With a large family, I don't like the amount of space they take up. I love them for the young ones (except that the ones I have are ugly), but I don't really care for my modified version for my 7th and 5th grader. Just looking for ideas on how to organize our school materials for next year. I am definently just doing lists next year for my 8th and 12th grader. (although I don't know how I will store their books) I am still considering workboxes for my 6th, 4th, 2nd and K next year.
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Lisa
For veteran & former homeschool moms
homeschooling ideas
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Mimip
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| Posted: April 06 2010 at 6:13pm | IP Logged
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Lisa,
I was just thinking about posting the same thing. My 4th grader asked me to stop the workboxes in January and just do a planner for her. ( I am using one I really like that I got online through Currclick)
My 2nd grader loves hers so I'll continue to use it with her next year. I'm adding a preschooler in the mix next year and am in major need of some guidance for that.
The space is huge issue for me too. We use drawers like these but I know that is not going to work with the preschooler next year. I love the concept but I need to adjust.
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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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At_His_Feet
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| Posted: April 06 2010 at 8:23pm | IP Logged
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We tried a space saving version of workboxes, but they just didn't work for me as I am not very organised. I rarely had them ready to go when we started work. I've gone back to a simple visual timetable and I keep their books in a plastic basket which sits on the piano.
You can see what we did here.
This is the visual timetable we have gone back to.
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Tricia
Mum to 3 boys 17, 15, and 10.
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JuliaT
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| Posted: April 06 2010 at 9:07pm | IP Logged
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The workboxes worked great for us. When I became sick in the fall, though, I just didn't have the oomph needed to fill the bags (we used ziploc bags instead of boxes) every day so I let them fall by the wayside. I haven't gotten back to implementing them again and really don't have the desire to start them up again. But last week, my two youngest asked me (at separate time) when we were going to start back with workboxes because they were alot of fun. sigh So I guess we will be starting them again. 
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Julia
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: April 07 2010 at 6:38am | IP Logged
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I LOVE your visual timetable Tricia! What a neat idea!
We are back to our workboxes after taking a winter break. We started off the year with them, but it was rough going. I can't blame the workboxes. I was dealing with burn out and I don't think anything would have encouraged me to be enthusiastic at that time. We moved to our bright, sunny dining room for the winter months, then, in early March we moved back to the workboxes and they are working fine. I should say that I only use them for my K-1st grader and my 3rd grader. My dd, in 5th, doesn't use them. I don't add alot of extra, "fun" stuff in the boxes for my 3rd grader. He still likes the workboxes though because they help him to be organized.
Incidently, while I wasn't looking for an alternative to the boxes we use (just like Mimi's in her link above), I came across this chart and thought it might work for a workbox alternative if wall space is available. I have a book shelf that sticks out horizontally from a wall that I use as a divider. I'm thinking something like this chart could hang on the back of it. I would replace the kids pictures with labels for the workboxes (math, handwriting, etc.). I just don't know if I want to spend the money on it.
I also discovered that it works best for me to have some boxes be the same all the time. For example, the first box is always math. The third box is always handwriting. I only have a couple of boxes per child that I have to refill, and then I only do it weekly. It's easier for me that way, and the kids don't really mind. The only time that I might change a box daily is if there is a special feast day and I have a project for the kids to do.
For my dd, I use an assignment sheet but I think I "need" the concept of boxes because it is layed out in block form!
One more thing, (sorry this is getting so long!), but I discovered that my children do well with the individual boxes concept so that's how we do our chores now. I actually use the "chore pack" idea from the book "Manager of Their Chores". Each card has a different chore on it. For some reason, it really works for my kids ... and me!
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Becky
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mom3aut1not
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| Posted: April 07 2010 at 9:38am | IP Logged
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I am still using workboxes, and it is going well. I can't rave about them, but I do find them useful. I have done relatively little tweaking other than omitting some items.
In Christ,
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Deborah
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brabec7
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| Posted: April 12 2010 at 11:00am | IP Logged
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We started with work boxes but it never went the way I hoped. I started with daily assignments but found that a weekly organization would be better for me. I also always felt together as it were if I had things gathered for the week. The problem was I have two kids who like to get into the work boxes, room for my work boxes, and if we had to travel or something disrupted our day.....the boxes could not come with us.
So, my alternative was a zipped folder. the very nice ones that are rather big. Three-holed puched folders with tabs(find at an office store). One folder for each day of the week and one for finished work and one for corrected work. This is for older more book oriented learners In front of the folders is a weekly schedule. In each folder, one for each day of the week is their work. Everything is on one shelf and in the same spot....one folder. So when we have to go to a doctors appointment or something of that sort their folder comes with. In the folder is a pencil case with every type of writing apparatus and sharperner. There is also a folder of paper in the binder.
One shelf for folder and all books as well as a backpack for easy pack and go.
I know that the point of the question wasn't: How to travel with school in tow. But this need of ours morphed into a rather usable system that works better for us then the boxes. Of course, I am talking about the older kids.
As far as grading: I do it when I can. All papers needing input are in one spot. I take it to my bed at night and review and grade if need be. I put everything back in the corrected folder. The next morning the girls check to see what needs to be filed
into subject books or cabinet. Or they check to see what needs correction on their part.
I can't say enoguh good things about simplicity in schooling. This approach has simplified my chaos and disorganization.
I look forward to what others have come up with. I am still trying to find a workable approach for my little ones....that is portable. At the moment they have a backpack with selected learning materials that are just for when we have a hospital stay or doctor's appointment.
God Bless,
Lisa B
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Summer
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| Posted: April 13 2010 at 11:29pm | IP Logged
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We have been using workboxes for 2 years now. I use them for my 2 little girls (pre-k & 1st). While I love the concept and my girls love it in practice, I have found it hard to keep up with consistently. A new baby really put a kink in our routine this year. I could not muster up the energy in the evenings to fill them.
That said, I will continue to use them. I bought these drawers from Ikea in white. It's only six drawers but they are perfectly sized to hold books, papers, and puzzles. It really does work well...when I'm sleeping that is. 
Also, next to the drawers is a book shelf with six divided shelves. On these I place montessori-ish activities for my girls and the two year old tornado. I try to change these once a week.
I really must re-commit to this system. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can... 
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Summer
(mom to my littles  dd 11, ds 10, dd 7, dd 4.5, ds 2, & ds 7mo)
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: April 14 2010 at 5:55am | IP Logged
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Summer wrote:
It really does work well...when I'm sleeping that is.
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I think this is the beauty of the system. Not that we can sleep  , but when life throws a kink in the plan, the workboxes are a pretty normal part of the kids day. They can just keep going.
I agree that they are hard to keep filled on a daily basis, that is why I have switched to weekly. My oldest kids don't mind at all. My younger ones got used to it after a while. It's not as thrilling as something new everyday, but they are learning that they can have ongoing projects. Like, water color painting. Instead of just putting one sheet of paper and the paints in the drawer, I would put a whole stack and tell them to do one a day, creating a booklet of paintings. I just find time (well, usually I find time) on the weekends to fill the boxes for the coming week.
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Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
Academy Of The Good Shepherd
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Paula in MN
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| Posted: April 14 2010 at 6:45am | IP Logged
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We used workboxes until our Advent break, and never started again. I liked the concept, but with dd11 the same thing is accomplished with a list, and it takes up less space.
Here's what I'm doing now. There had been two threads some time ago, one on what to put in workboxes and the other on items to have on hand to homeschool through 12th grade if you did not have internet or library access.
I pulled the ideas from both threads, made my own document by subject, and have it on my desk for daily reference. It really helped us get through the February burnout this year.
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Paula
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MarianneP
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| Posted: April 14 2010 at 5:08pm | IP Logged
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We have used workboxes this year and it has helped my 9 year old son tremendously. He is now so much more independent and focused because he likes to complete his boxes. At this point, I am not filling the boxes with a lot of extra exciting and creative projects (maybe next year?), but I do fill them with the kid's regular work. I think having a physical reminder of where they are in their day's responsibilities helps my boys to stay motivated.
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Summer
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| Posted: April 14 2010 at 9:19pm | IP Logged
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As I ponder the replies to this thread and my own situation, I think I am going to make a few changes.
Most of the boxes will hold a topic of study: math, spelling. writing etc. These boxes will always hold the same subject, knowing that the children are simply to do the next assignment. I can always add a special manipulative or game.
Then one or two will be open for a fun project: art, science, video, book to read, puzzle etc. A document like Paula suggested would help to keep me on task.
I'll keep my six shelves for montessori activities and change them out on a weekly basis.
I am ready to ponder and plan for next year. Is this school year done yet?
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God Bless,
Summer
(mom to my littles dd 11, ds 10, dd 7, dd 4.5, ds 2, & ds 7mo)
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: update workbox usage
