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Kathryn
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| Posted: Aug 07 2010 at 7:39am | IP Logged
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Last year I did individual desks but this year I want to do a school table. I was thinking about one like Jen has on her blog post: http://wildflowersandmarbles.blogspot.com/2010/06/refreshing -learning-spaces.html.
Originally I looked new and it looks to cost about $175 including shipping and I really didn't want to pay that much considering I'm not sure just exactly how it will work if I change my mind. 
I've looked at craigslist for a couple months now and no luck. Well, aside from a huge u-shaped table for a great price but wouldn't fit. I originally thought I wanted the adjustable kind since I have a 10 and 11 yr old as well as an almost 3 yr old and then before long a new baby but now I'm not so sure that's a must. The youngest now just sits in a chair on her knees to color anyway and I don't have room for 2 tables. Our schoolroom is an extra bedroom so small-ish (10x12) so I didn't want anything bigger than about 30" wide x 48" long. I then started looking for just an old dining table but no luck w/ that either esp. considering the size I need.
For now, I have my large fold-up table in here and it's reallly too big and since we started our schooling this past week, I'd like to get something sooner rather than later. I like the idea now of the table being able to fold-up for when we're "off" school since this is also our computer room/my study when I sell on ebay but I don't think those adjustable school tables fold up.
Sooo, questions: Ideas? On-line resources for locating one not so expensive? Or is that about what I would plan on paying for the size?
Thanks,
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Kathryn in TX
(dd 16, ds 15, dd 8, dd 5)
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Servant2theKing
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| Posted: Aug 07 2010 at 8:34am | IP Logged
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Instead of a school table, have you considered a kitchen or dining type table with leaves that fold down? Aussie Annie had a lovely post on a table with fold down leaves that fit beautifully in her schoolroom. You could make your chairs adjust to the ages of your children, just as you would for meals. In your situation, I would consider a smallish table with fold down leaves and leave room for a glider rocker for that newest little one! Craigslist might still be a good option. I always look in areas an hour drive or less from our home and pray to St. Anthony before looking. In our area there are also tons of garage sales right now, as people prepare for a new school year. We've seen some great furniture items at our local Salvation Army or Goodwill lately, too. Good luck with your search and have a grace-filled year of homeschooling...it's more of a blessing every year! May you also have a wonderful birth and babymoon with your newest blessing!
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wifemommy
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| Posted: Aug 07 2010 at 9:36am | IP Logged
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We bought a folding serving table at Walmart for less then $40. I think it's the size you are looking for in a table. We use 2 square table we can seperate or push together as needed. Annie
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: Aug 07 2010 at 9:59am | IP Logged
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One of our kid-work-tables is an old kitchen table that we just cut the legs a bit to make it the height I want. It doesn't "fold" like you want....but thought I'd mention it.
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Suzanne in ID
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Aug 07 2010 at 10:06am | IP Logged
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so you already have individual desks? are they the same height? could you put them together to make a "table" and see how you like it before you buy something else?
Have you checked out places like Office Depot or such for a simple folding table like for conference rooms? You might even be able to get 2 smaller tables vs 1 big table.
Camping tables? I've seen some really neat ones that not only fold the legs up but fold the top in half so a 3'x6' table (give or take I forget exact diminsions) folds into a 3x3 square that you could put away in a closet easy enough.
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All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
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mavmama
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School auctions. We have 2 school tables with the nice melamine finish (so easy to clean) that we got from a guy who buys t school auctions. $35 apiece, and they are adjustable. Check with your local schools.
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Liz
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Aug 07 2010 at 8:19pm | IP Logged
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Kathryn wrote:
| I like the idea now of the table being able to fold-up for when we're "off" school since this is also our computer room/my study when I sell on ebay but I don't think those adjustable school tables fold up. |
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They don't, Kathryn. So maybe they wouldn't really be ideal for you. I was going to suggest watching Craigslist and garage sales as well...though it sounds like you've been doing that. I just found a nice size kitchen table with 2 chairs in EXACTLY the size you describe for $25. However, that doesn't fold and move out of the way for you.
Kathryn wrote:
| Sooo, questions: Ideas? On-line resources for locating one not so expensive? Or is that about what I would plan on paying for the size? |
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You might get lucky and find a school-type table on Craigslist or at a school supply sale...so I'm wondering if you could just compromise and make do for a bit with a folding table? This one is a size that fits your space, isn't too expensive, and if you replace it, it will still be useful and easy to store...they slide right under a bed, and you can pull it out when you need extra tablespace for crafts or a holiday meal. I know these tables aren't that attractive...but maybe you could get a cheery oilcloth tablecloth for it to brighten up the space!
Another option, and we have 2 of these, are these adjustable resin tables for an individual. They're perfect for one child, fold nicely out of the way, and I like that when you unfold it to set it up, you can adjust the height of the table. I don't like that the surface is textured, but that just means that I have a child use a clipboard to write on. So...it's workable. Again, if you find a table you preferred, these are nice to have on hand! I use a big table, but sometimes have a student that wants to work in a more isolated space. These tables are easy to pull out in a jiffy. I linked you to Staples, but I found mine at Walmart and they weren't nearly that expensive! This is the right time of year to keep an eye out for tables like this - they seem to bring them out around back-to-school.
I would probably try to keep working with what I've got for awhile to really spend some time discerning if an adjustable school type table is necessary, will fit in my budget, worth saving for, something I really feel will be a helpful tool. In that time, keep watching in the paper/classifieds, on Craigslist, etc. You might find something that's really workable/preferrable that isn't what you were initially looking for at all!!!! Or...you might really spend some time considering how this could be a tool you feel it would be worthwhile to save for. A tip...many school furniture outfitters often have a table that has been returned in their clearance section...you wouldn't have the choice of finish or size, so it would take some watching, but it could be worthwhile to bookmark some vendors and check regularly. I found my small table that way. And check with local school supply stores in town! Sometimes they will special order a table like this for you and it can save you shipping/freight.
Good luck finding something workable, Kathryn!
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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Teachin'Mine2
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| Posted: Aug 09 2010 at 11:17am | IP Logged
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I can't find a link for exactly what I'm looking for, but this is one of them - only in a four pack. 
http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=1053 21
They also come in the same size, but fold in half so the legs fold up inside the two halves of the top. The one piece top would probably work better for school work. The one drawback is that the surface isn't melamine smooth, but you could easily cover it with thick clear plastic, or use a blotter, or even poster board would do. The only time this would matter is if they're writing on a single sheet of paper without anything underneath. The nice thing about them is the adjustable height. If you have room for two, you can have the standard height for the older children, and either put it at the lowest for the youngest, or even just drill holes for a customized height.
They usually cost from $30 to $40 each. 
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4Real Forums : Planning and Ordering our Days
Topic: Need ideas wanting to buy a school table
