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Dawnie
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| Posted: June 24 2006 at 9:45pm | IP Logged
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If you have a dedicated school room, what is it like?
How big is it?
What do you keep in it?
How do you have everything arranged/organized? Bookshelves? Cabinets? Plastic bins? What works best for keep things organized and keeping toddlers out?
What kind of work space do you have for your children? One big table for everyone or a desk for each child?
If money and space were not a consideration, what would your dream school room look like?
I'm trying to get everything organized for next year so that we won't lose too much time after the birth of our new baby. We took a lot of time off this year due to moving and early pregnancy blahs and I'd like to be more consistent next year. I'm hoping to arrange everything so that DH or grandma could take over for a week or two while I recover from the birth.
Here is what we are working with: A large, rectangular basement room and a large supply closet. Right now, I have toys against one wall, the computer cabinet and filing cabinet against another wall, a round breakfast table with two chairs and a rocking chair against another wall, and two (soon to be 3) bookshelves against the fourth wall. There is quite a lot of wall space in that room, which I've filled up w/ maps, posters, artwork, and I hope to add a timeline someday. The supply closet has lots of shelves and a countertop workspace (it used to be a darkroom). DH is going to build some drawers to install under the countertop. I keep math manipulatives, games, other small school supplies, our video collection, and office supplies in there. What I'm thinking of doing is buying another bookshelf for the main school room on which I can store notebooking supplies. I'm finding that if I don't have everything within easy reach, it doesn't happen at all. I'm also thinking of replacing the round breakfast table (which only seats 2) with a long, rectangular table--the kind you can buy at Wal-Mart. I don't want to spend any money before I hear from some more experienced moms, though. 
Dawn
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JSchaaf
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| Posted: June 24 2006 at 10:24pm | IP Logged
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Here is what we have-there are some changes I'd like to make but it works for now. Our front door opens into a large rectangular room that is supposed to be the formal living room (front half) and formal dining room (back half). The total space in 15 ft. by 24 ft. The front half is pretty much empty-we call it the "indoor playground". We used masking tape to tape a hopscotch area on the carpet and allow soft balls and jumpropes there. It's a good place to practice cartwheels and roll-overs. The back half is the "schoolroom". There are two tall bookshelves against one wall, and on the same wall under the window are three small wooden desks. They each have a plastic drawer under their desk to store stuff in. Then you meet a corner. On the next wall is my "desk", it's actually our dining room table. I bought the table before I realized we weren't at the stage in life which permits eating at a nice table in a carpeted room away from the kitchen. So, I use the table as a desk. It has lots of wasted space. Some more plastic drawers serve to hold all my "stuff". Then you meet the doorway to the kitchen and family room. The next long wall holds posters and maps. No furniture.
Each book shelf has five shelves. The top three of each hold curriculum and binders full of articles, reading lists, etc. The bottom two shelves on the left are the "writing center" and the bottom two on the right hold math manipulatives, plastic shoeboxes with different activities in them (lacing cards, tanagrams, counting bears, etc). There are also some board games and puzzles on that shelf. My youngest is three so she's ok to get into those things.
Our kitchen table is a 6 foot sturdy plastic folding table-I think purchased at Sam's. It's wonderful! Not overly expensive and easy to clean. Not the best decorative statement-but it works for us. I would like to get another to replace my desk/table-but then what to do with that huge table?? All our art supplies (except crayons and markers) are kept up in the kitchen cabinets. I would love for my 5 and 6 yo to have free reign with art supplies, but the 3 yo can't be trusted! But the kitchen is a handy place to keep them since art is done at the kitchen table. Our family room (off the kitchen) is small. The TV is in there, and the computer, and two recliners. Upstairs we have our "library"-there is a large "bonus room" at the top of the stairs that really can't be used as a bedroom. We have a comfy couch and chair up there and all our books. There is also another 6 foot Sam's table for doing puzzles and playing games.
So-that's what we have? What would I like? A HUGE open space. An area for the comfy couch and all books and puzzle/game table. Transitioning into an area for arts-n-crafts with a easy to clean floor, table and chairs, lots of storage for supplies and a sink for easy cleanup. Then transitioning into an area more for quiet work and play, with tables or desks. This is where I would keep the "educational" toys.
I regret putting the "library" separate from the "schoolroom". We will do what seat work we have downstairs (and sometimes not even at our desks, but all at the kitchen table together) and then have to all go upstairs to cuddle and read. I would like to be able to sit and read while the older girls are working at their desks or at the table. I'm contemplating asking Nick to move the furniture. But, his mother did not rearrange one piece of furniture (or change any of it) for close to 40 years so he doesn't see the need for frequent rearranging, like I do!! I'm all for changing things around as our needs change.
With a baby coming (eventually) we will have to make some changes. Maybe that will be the impetus to move the library downstairs! Our fourth bedroom is a playroom, but I could make the library the playroom and the playroom the nursery...
Ooo...I have to go think and plan and convince Nick of the practicality of the plan.
I'm going to post some pictures of our current setup on my blog-probably tomorrow they will be up. I would LOVE to hear and see what others are doing!
Jennifer
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JSchaaf
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| Posted: June 24 2006 at 10:37pm | IP Logged
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OK, we're a definite no-go on bringing the library downstairs. Nick said let him recover from all his physical labor rebuilding our Mississippi house before I ask him to move furniture and hundreds of books. He added he would be sufficiently recovered about the time we left San Antonio and then I could feel free to let the movers help me do any arranging I want in our next house.  Very funny guy, that husband of mine.
Anyway, we agreed to keep our eyes open for a couch or futon or something to sit on and read downstairs. Are futons comfortable? Cuddle and read with three or four kids hanging off you comfortable??
Jennifer
Dawn-Go for the Walmart table-we love ours! Very portable, too, so you can drag it around the house. I would like to get one or two more-for those big projects that require lots of space.
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Cay Gibson
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| Posted: June 24 2006 at 11:01pm | IP Logged
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JSchaaf wrote:
Are futons comfortable? Cuddle and read with three or four kids hanging off you comfortable??
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No!!! 
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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JSchaaf
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| Posted: June 24 2006 at 11:06pm | IP Logged
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Cay Gibson wrote:
No!!! |
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Cay,
Don't hold back. Please tell me how you really feel about futons...
Jennifer
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ALmom
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| Posted: June 25 2006 at 12:48am | IP Logged
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Our school room is large, rectangular - and lined with bookshelves and desks for each child and our computer desk and computer. It has one small closet where I store extra school and art supplies. It also holds all our board games. I wish the closet were bigger but with some judicious, it really is adequate. I have 2 long Wal-Mart tables down the middle of the room.
One table is my desk and I'm embarrassed to say that it is always a mess - at least 6 piles, one for each child. The other table is a science or project table. I try to keep it reasonably clear unless work is in progress. It also holds our globe, paper cutter and large stapler and microscope. i have a cabinet on the end which is filled with old workbooks, TB, etc. so there are easy to find if we need them - but out of sight. I also store the microscope slides on top of this (out of reach of the toddler). Each child has a place to hide their reading glasses (including the toddler that doesn't wear glasses. We gave him a pair of frames with no glass hoping it would keep him out of his brother's.)  He now thinks that part of the school routine is to put on glasses - and it is the first thing he does in the morning.
I wish I had more wall space to display children's work and posters. As a compromise, we went out and bought one of those wheeling clothes dryers for use as an indoor clothesline. We laminated all our charts, maps, hundreds boards, etc. and left a little extra edge when trimmed which we hole punched and got metal rings to hang. Now I have a wheeling chart rack and can wheel it anywhere I want.
The best part of my school room is that onc door opens to the laundry room (where there is a sink, and sewing machine and shelving for art supplies (unfortunately most have to be up high). It is immenently practical to be near the laundry (which also has a door to the kitchen). The room also has double french doors to hte family room so we can close off the room (or block out sound from other dc playing or practicing piano or me discussing something)
I still do a lot of work at the kitchen table - but I like that I can still organize in piles without that cluttered look taking over. At the end of a lesson with dc, I move that dc books, etc. to the end of my desk. Also the family room is so nearby that it is easy to grab a book and cuddle. But now I don't leave the kitchen table or main living area a cluttered mess.
I'm feeling terribly ungrateful doubting about our house because of feeling financial strain (more from my endless purchases of books and unexpected hail damage and both cars having major repairs - and ER visit charges). I'd been second quessing whether we'd been wise to move - our other house, though extremely tight, was almost paid for. So thanks for making me think - and go back to gratitude for this place and need to be careful in my gotta have the latest curriculum.
My dh sure is patient with me.
Janet
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Elizabeth
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| Posted: June 25 2006 at 5:23am | IP Logged
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Dawnie wrote:
| If you have a dedicated school room, what is it like? |
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When we built our house, the plans called for a two story family room. Instead, we had the space above the family room finished for another bedroom. That's our schoolroom and it's upstairs with all the bedrooms
How big is it?
It's a good-sized bedroom.
What do you keep in it?
The computer (one for everybody), reams of colored paper and pencils and crayons, all the worktexts, alphabet manipulatives, educational games, low lying Montessori shelves with more manipulatives, a wooden dollhouse, baskets of books, a table with some tall chairs.
How do you have everything arranged/organized? Bookshelves? Cabinets? Plastic bins? What works best for keep things organized and keeping toddlers out?
We have a large walk-in closet where most of the books (those not in baskets) are stored. The shelves are labeled according to discipline (math, science, theology, Us history, world history, biography, art, Shakespeare, homemaking, parenting, educational philosophy..).
Hands-on touchable curriculum is on trays on low shelves and we teach them very young how to get a mat, roll it out, get a tray , and work on the mat.
Pencils, crayons, markers, tape, glue, etc, hang in clear plastic shoe pockets on the door.
Paperand lapbook materials are in a cabinet. Scrapbook materials are in clear plastic drawers.
Each child has a basket with his or her workbooks in it. All the nature study notebooks are in one basket. All the current unit study books are in one basket and the current Catholic Mosaic books are in another. Those two baskets get carried to bedrooms at night for bedtime reading. All the FIAR books are out, in a wooden peach crate. I like having them all together and I want them accessible.
Our "liturgical year" shelf hangs on the wall with rosaries hanging from pegs.
What kind of work space do you have for your children? One big table for everyone or a desk for each child?
We have one big table in the schoolroom and then they have individual desks in their bedrooms.
If money and space were not a consideration, what would your dream school room look like?
It would look a lot like this one does, only bigger. There would definitely be two computers. The Montessori shelves would have more variety and it would all be authentic Montessori materials. There would be an alcove up here for our atrium (now it's in the rec room).
There would be a wet area with a sink and vinyl floor for crafts and a table there with science supplies (a microscope, aquarium, terrarium, etc.).
I'm trying to get everything organized for next year so that we won't lose too much time after the birth of our new baby. We took a lot of time off this year due to moving and early pregnancy blahs and I'd like to be more consistent next year. I'm hoping to arrange everything so that DH or grandma could take over for a week or two while I recover from the birth.
I could have written that. 
Here is what we are working with: A large, rectangular basement room and a large supply closet. Right now, I have toys against one wall, the computer cabinet and filing cabinet against another wall, a round breakfast table with two chairs and a rocking chair against another wall, and two (soon to be 3) bookshelves against the fourth wall. There is quite a lot of wall space in that room, which I've filled up w/ maps, posters, artwork, and I hope to add a timeline someday. The supply closet has lots of shelves and a countertop workspace (it used to be a darkroom). DH is going to build some drawers to install under the countertop. I keep math manipulatives, games, other small school supplies, our video collection, and office supplies in there. What I'm thinking of doing is buying another bookshelf for the main school room on which I can store notebooking supplies. I'm finding that if I don't have everything within easy reach, it doesn't happen at all. I'm also thinking of replacing the round breakfast table (which only seats 2) with a long, rectangular table--the kind you can buy at Wal-Mart. I don't want to spend any money before I hear from some more experienced moms, though.
Sounds like you are well on your way to a great plan.  I'm looking forward to reading the other ideas.
__________________
Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Erin
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| Posted: June 25 2006 at 3:27pm | IP Logged
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Well, we cal our room the family room. A rectangular shape about 4m by 7m. It is rather narrower than I would like but space was restricted.
Along one wall is a beat up lounge, many hours of snuggling and read alouds there with all the children 'squished' in together with some draped across the top.
For seat work we have two dining room tables, I tend to have the bigger ones on one and the younger ones on another. Sometimes not, they all rotate according to the need of the moment.
Up in the back corner we have the 'book nook' which is an area with an extra half wall in the middle of the room. Five 6ft bookcases line this area and another bookcase on the other side.
Along the other wall is a long, low cupboard with all the board games and jigsaw puzzles. Also maths manipulatives, Montessori material etc. The top we use for an altar and some extra work space or display area. Next to that is another big cupbaord with buckets of toys for the littlies and the dress ups. Also craft supplies, stationary needs and completed work from past years.
A new addition which I am very thrilled with are two 'trolleys'. The trolley is a collection of 4 buckets on wheels, not deep and very nice looking. In these 'drawers' I keep scissors, pencils, punches, etc. In the other trolley are the different papers sorted according to sizes. Finally we have a way of finding everything easily keeping it all together and when we need to we can wheel them over to the table where we are working and wheel them out of the way afterwards.
My only complaint is the room is not wider. Oh and if it was I would like to have the computers down there so the children could access Word easier.
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Bookswithtea
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| Posted: June 25 2006 at 4:55pm | IP Logged
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This is so timely for me! We just finished our basement and now I have a big room just begging to become our "schoolroom." In all our years of homeschooling I've never had one before.
I'm wondering though, do your schoolrooms get really used, or does it operate as a big closet? Do you homeschool all over the house anyway? Do you finish breakfast, clean up, and head into the schoolroom and stay there till breaktime or lunchtime? My ds is the only one not sharing a bedroom so he does have a desk in his room but there is no room for individual desks in our girls room. Do you do your read alouds in your schoolrooms, too? Do you find that having a schoolroom really helps your day to flow better?
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mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and  due 9/10
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Elizabeth
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Bookswithtea wrote:
I'm wondering though, do your schoolrooms get really used, or does it operate as a big closet? |
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It really gets used--A LOT
Do you homeschool all over the house anyway?
yep.
Do you finish breakfast, clean up, and head into the schoolroom and stay there till breaktime or lunchtime? No, but we do go there and it's from there that we disperse.
Do you do your read alouds in your schoolrooms, too? No, we do them in bed most often.
Do you find that having a schoolroom really helps your day to flow better? Absolutely. EVerything has a place. We know we're going to begin and where we're going to begin. There is a logical gathering place and a very orderly system of storing and using things.
__________________
Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Bookswithtea
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Elizabeth wrote:
Do you find that having a schoolroom really helps your day to flow better? Absolutely. EVerything has a place. We know we're going to begin and where we're going to begin. There is a logical gathering place and a very orderly system of storing and using things. |
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Hmmm...I'm going to have to think about this some more. I am not a clean freak but I am a neatfreak. I can't stand piles of school stuff building up all over the house. It drives me crazy. Last schoolyear our short hallway to the bedrooms displayed our maps and 3 little girls' endless artwork and the busyness of it nearly drove me batty last year. I took it all down at the end of the schoolyear just for the visual break. I like the idea of it all.
Right now we have appropriated the coat closet and have heavy duty homemade shelves in there with a shelf for each child for the schoolyear. A crate holds their daily workbook type stuff and the rest of the shelf holds readers and living books and the occasional text. They are always overloaded and a mess. I have two shelves for all the manipulatives/tangrams/counting bears etc but they are packed in so tight I sometimes forget what I own. 
I have a large storage room in the basement that holds our extra food, fridge and freezer, and all the schoolbooks, readers and read alouds that I am NOT using that year but that I want access to (am I the only one who cannot bear to put away books in boxes for the year?).
We work at the kitchen table and have to clean up in time for lunch. My second child really needs a desk as she did a lot of her independent work on her bed last year.
It works, but I'm bursting the seams.
OH! Are you schoolrooms babyproof? I have a low table that would be perfect for puzzlework but my monkey of a 14 mo old would destroy anything created in 2 seconds flat. I could put up a babygate in the doorway as the other side of the room I'm thinking of using is our babyproof family room. It might work in spurts, I guess...
__________________
Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
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Cheryl
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Dawnie wrote:
If you have a dedicated school room, what is it like? How big is it?
We have a dedicated school room above our garage. It's 20 x 22ft plus 2 12 x 7ft dormers.
What do you keep in it?
We have a 6ft folding table (Staples) against the wall in one dormer. I stacked letter trays on it with different types of paper. The pencil sharpener, pencils, pens, scissors, ruler, tape are also here -most in mugs on a plastic lazy susan. This table is for drawing/writing.
I also have our old kitchen table with 4 chairs, just outside the dormer for painting and crafts.
We have a large sectional for read alouds, a computer cabinet w/o the computer -for now it contains a stereo, cd's and musical instruments.
How do you have everything arranged/organized? We've been here 3 1/2 weeks, so it's not very organized yet.
Bookshelves? We have 4 4ft white laminate bookcases for books.  I just threw them all on the shelves for now. We also have an old bookcase in the other dormer that will be used for religious books and items. I want that area to be our atrium.
Cabinets? In the dormer with the table I mentioned, there's a counter with a sink and kitchen cabinets. I filled them with art & craft supplies.
Plastic bins? A few. What works best for keep things organized and keeping toddlers out? I don't know if it will work, but I have a huge walk in closet with laminate shelving for stuff. We put plastic drawers with the rotated toys in there along with homeschooling stuff. Because it's a pocket door, I could only have a privacy door lock from the outside. It may keep a toddler out, we'll see. The door to the entire room can be locked with a key.
If money and space were not a consideration, what would your dream school room look like? I'd have framed prints on some walls, a bulletin board, white board, some montessori shelves with the products to go with them, an altar, a computer, a small desk for me, window treatments, sorry I'm getting carried away. 
I'm trying to get everything organized for next year so that we won't lose too much time after the birth of our new baby. We took a lot of time off this year due to moving and early pregnancy blahs and I'd like to be more consistent next year. I'm hoping to arrange everything so that DH or grandma could take over for a week or two while I recover from the birth.
I took a lot of time off this year too. I also want to try to be consistent next year. Sorry I messed up the quote feature. I don't want to change it because I'm nursing and typing with one finger here. My dh just asked me if I was writing a book. 
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Cheryl
Wife to Bob ('97)
Mom to Matthew 13, Joseph 11, Sarah 10, Rachel 6, Hannah almost 4 and Mary 1
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: School rooms
