Okay, so I’ve started something new in our homeschool this afternoon. It’s the Workbox System, and loosely started it I should say, as I don’t have the official book by Sue Patrick yet, but I do plan to get it ASAP (hubby just said he would put the money aside next week).
Anyway, there’s a huge discussion going on at the Five In A Row boards right now about the Workbox System, offering up alternatives to the clear shoe-boxes that are called for when using the Workbox System and tons of ideas for what to put in the boxes. I got totally sucked in, but I think we’re gonna love it.
Confused? You should be. I’m talking in circles. That’s mostly because all my Five In A Row buds already know what I’m talking about.
In a nutshell, you use a rolling cart that will hold 12 clear plastic shoeboxes. In these shoeboxes you place 12 items/assignments of school work to be completed during the day. The child works left to right, top to bottom, finishing their work more independently than ever. It’s apparently accomplished great things for children with ADD and other such diagnoses. That’s a broad overview. I have not touched on any of the fine points, which I’m looking forward to reading about further in Sue’s book.
Anyhoo, I’ve started out totally on my own eclectic foot with this program, choosing to use decorated cereal boxes for our boxes. I am not saying I won’t go with clear boxes. I am saying that I want to read the book first and that I want to figure out if I’ve got room for a stand that holds 12 clear boxes. (We can barely walk through the hallway as it is.) I am also starting with 9 boxes. I want to see how Princess of the Universe reacts to this.
Michaela’s school shelf is now totally clutter free.
The boxes are super cute and I know Miss Priss will love them. (I cannot believe she has not noticed them yet. Maybe she cuts her eyes away when she passes by the school shelf. ha ha)
Each box holds an assignment. We’ll start the day with math.
I am sure this system is going to help me pull in things that we don’t always remember to do.
Just look at that little Heart of the Home box. Sweet. This will contain domestic assignments. Like now…
Don’t worry. She won’t get free reign of the stove without supervision, but I do think she’ll enjoy this being HER assignment. I’m going to get everything together this evening so it’ll be easier tomorrow.
She also has a Five In A Row assignment, a handwriting assignment, a page from a test booklet and a couple of other things I *can’t remember* right now. (*That might give you a clue as to why this system will help us do everything every day. It’ll be in the boxes ready to go.)
I could easily have filled up more boxes, but tomorrow is our first day and I want to see how long this takes her to work through. Also I really want to read Sue’s book and get serious about the fine points. In three short months Big Joe will graduate, so I’ll have another shelf for more boxes. We could also perhaps switch to the clear boxes for the new school year.
For now I’m doing a test run with cereal boxes.
I first heard about this system from my friend, Leslie, and she’s got pictures on her blog.
In looking on line, there’s a post on another blog where someone has set up their own version of the workbox system. See it here at Ginger-Snap-Shots.
Another friend, Kristina, has pictures on her blog of her system.
Another friend, Jessica, is using envelopes for her system.
There are other pictures out there, but this gives you some ideas.
Lynn
PS — There is an update on our cereal boxes —>> here!
for you to leave a comment, but you can also e-mail me at lynn AT thehealthyhomeschool.com
I love your boxes, Lynn! They are beautiful!
Jen in OK from FIAR
I read the start of the fiar thread and thought of the same thing you did-only using magazine file boxes. I posted then saw you have posted your idea an hour earlier and had these great pics! Love the look. Are they all fabric covered? How did you attach it? LOVE IT!
Your boxes are sooo pretty! Look forward to hearing what M thinks of them.
Awesome! I did consider the cereal boxes. I use them already for all my themed books including FIAR.
Now I feel so behind in putting up my blog photos…
I’ll get to it after my velcro adhesive cures.
Did you use scrapbook paper to cover the boxes? They’re beautiful!
I’m anxious to hear how this works out.
Mich/ivy
Oh, yeah, I should have said!! Guys, I’m sorry. I’m a little on the excited and tired side right now.
Some are covered in fabric, some in scrapbook paper. They are embellished with little bits of this and that. I used glue sticks, but mostly the hot glue gun. It took about two or three hours — I don’t know I lost track of time sitting there thinking and planning while I was working. I can see this being a really good system for us.
Lynn
I want to add that I didn’t mind taking the time to embellish them and work on them because I know if they don’t work out here I can use them for storage for magazines or something else.
Lynn
Sooooo cute!!
Great job!
Dear Lynn,
What a great idea! I’ll have to look into it. We’re always looking for organizational ideas for homeschool around here.
Love,
Marqueta
Pretty!!!
It will be like exploring a gift..
[...] Mother’s JournalThe way we spend our hours is the way we spend our lives. « Workbox System [...]
I love the cereal boxes!! I am using the envelope system like Jessica. They are sitting on the table waiting for the kids to wake up and see them. I am so excited about this! I hope it works!!!
You are so creative, Lynn. Are you going to stick with the cereal boxes?
Aargh…I tore up a few this morning. I’m waiting for my book too!
Thanks, Ami.
Marqueta, me too!
Louise, I think that’s the way she sees it, and it’s why I’m hesitant to switch to the clear boxes.
Amber, it’s still working great for us.
Marya, thank you.
I do plan to stick with the cereal boxes, at least until this next school year that’ll start for us in August. I may not switch, though, even at that point. I want to read the book and see how these boxes are working when the newness wears off for Miss Priss.
Lynn
I love the covered cereal boxes! I just found some great “filler” games and items for independent work at a homeschooling fair today and am going to use this idea to make sure we actually use them.
Very creative cereal boxes. Always looking for new ways to stay organized.
[...] homeschools using the workbox system: A Mother’s Journal Journey2Learn LifeSong Joyful Mother of Six Sweet Simplicity Sowing Precious Seeds Just the 5 of [...]
This has me cracking up. I was looking for ideas for my own workboxes and through google found your blog. I was reading along, scrolling down and saw your pic. “Hey! I know her!” Anyway, hey! Hope all is well in your neck of the woods!
Love, love, love the covered cereal boxes! I’ve been going to blog after blog looking for pix of them for inspiration…your’s are super! Next week we’re jumping back into schooling my 6yodd after 6 weeks off for our new bambino. I’ll be cranking up the hot glue gun this weekend…thanks for posting!
I am a first timer at your blog–I love the cereal boxes and will start to look into that more. I couldn’t help but notice your sonJoseph is dyslexic. I would love to pick your brain!!! Both My 12 and 9 year old (boys) are also. It is a challenge somedays and nightmare others, and just plain entertaining on most. I am homeschooling my youngest next year(will be 1st grade) Probably just to know that kids can actually learn to read simply and also that there is only one way to spell words –and being creative doesn’t get you very far on spelling tests.
Math though–YUCK!!
Take care–throw some tips my way.
Donna Madden
[...] As far as assigning work, we are still learning about the Workbox System. [...]
We are going to use the workbox system starting in the winter (we adventure school in the nicer months) and I just wanted to say that I think your idea of using decorated cereal boxes is wonderful! Floor space is an issue because of all the bookcases stacked with books and I think your adaption will be perfect!
Though, my son wants to make sure he does not have pink boxes. LOL
Thanks, Shauna. I’m still using them in a testing phase. I’m thinking of clear boxes for next school year. I’ll be sure and post. Space is a huge issue for me!
Thanks, Pat!
Victoria, that’s hilarious! Glad you left a comment.
Thanks, Resa. I’ll update my blog when I decide how to incorporate the work boxes next year.
Donna, thanks for your comment! I hope things go very well. I still struggle with worry that Joseph is not where he needs to be spelling-wise, but I wouldn’t trade the man he’s become here at home.
Nessa, space is an issue for me too. I feel that the clear boxes are important and yet I have no idea where in the world we’d put them. I’ll definitely update on what we do for next year.
Lynn
[...] A Mother’s Journal [...]
I am just getting started with this myself and I really love your cereal boxes…I may do those too as I also do not have a lot of room for FIVE racks of boxes…I look forward to searching your blog for more info about how this works…
C~
Thanks for your comment, Carrie. I’ll be sure and post what we do with ours for the upcoming school year, whether we switch to clear boxes, stay with the cereal boxes, or decide not to use at all.
Lynn
I LOVE this idea! It is the first I have heard of it, and can’t wait to spend some time on all these links. I love that it would help me incorporate all those great ideas. I will probably be blogging about this soon, I will be sure to include a link to you. Thanks for sharing!
Great post! I’m just now learning about this system.
I was thinking of using magazine boxes, too. Have you found that they are deep enough (front-to-back) to hold larger items like large textbooks, binders, etc.?
Thanks so much for the cereal box idea! It was just what I needed! I want magazine holders but cannot find them inexpensive enough. this will work for me…thanks! duh!
[...] Le blog de Lynn [...]
HOW DID YOU COVER THE CEREAL BOXES???
Angela, thank you.
Jenny, thank you.
Rachel, they are great. I have four children — three of them boys who NEVER get enough to eat, so I buy the huge boxes of Honeynut Cheerios. They make great cereal workboxes.
Chari, thank you.
Christina, thank you for your comment. Please read note below.
MAKING THE CEREAL WORKBOXES:
Be aware, it takes a few hours to cover 9 cereal boxes. I cut the tops out of the cereal boxes first. I chose either a base paper or fabric for each box and just wrapped the box using a hot glue gun. One sheet of paper was usually not enough. I did one side at a time, wrapping neatly around the bottom and sides. I did fold over and wrap down into the top about two inches for neatness and glued this down as well. It took quite a bit of glue and — AGAIN — time. I, however, LOVE doing things like this. Once a box was covered, I embellished it.
As I have said before, I am seriously considering switching to the plastic boxes, which are considered a vital part of the true Workbox System. My big problem is space. It’s like money — if you don’t have it, you don’t have it!
I will be posting a follow-up post after I’ve finished the book and before we start our school year.
Thank you for all the kind comments. I can say that the cereal boxes worked great the way we used them last year.
Lynn
How did you like the system? Are you still using it? Did you move to the clear bins – I love your bins but with 4 boys under 8 can not imagine having time to make.Thank you for the William Henry Channing quote. I have been thinking about jumping into caring for other peoples kids after just giving up helping my husband with a home based business – he is a carpenter too. I would like the extra money but maybe I need to take some down time and focus on the frugal living and my kids. i keep thinking more money would be better but I know it will make it harder for me to homeschool. The quote will give me something to think about.
Thanks
I love your boxes!
I just found out about the workbox system on another blog so I googled it and am looking for more information on it. I like the way you took it and used cereal boxes instead. Great idea! This would take up less space and help me to contain them all on a bookshelf like I intend. Thanks!
Sorry _ should have read all of the posts. I see – thanks for all of this information.
Nicole, thank you for your comment! I am still using them and will post an update soon.
Amber, thanks so much.
Lynn
When I was first researching workboxes, yours was one of the first that I saw. I am getting ready to set up for fall and I found your wonderful workboxes again. I just had to comment. Your workboxes are so beautiful.
LOVE the cereal box idea. The clear shoe boxes times three kids felt cluttered and overwhelming to me, but the cereal boxes… THAT might work for us!
Love this blog! It is now in my favs!! Thanks for all the info.
Jonie V.
[...] system consists of 9 cereal boxes, which I first posted about nearly a year ago. I fill them up with assignments each evening or each early morning, so they [...]
Did you continue to use this system? I think it is so cute.
[...] http://www.amothersjournal.com/2009/03/08/workbox-system/ [...]
[...] bring myself to spend the $$ for them at the store. Thankfully I saw an idea for using empty cereal boxes and decided to make some storage [...]
I stumbled across this entry after Googling Workbox Setups. I like your interpretation very much! I do have the workbox book, but I was wondering (in a 960 sqft house) where in the world I was going to put a shoe box cart! Heaven knows I have enough cereal boxes, so I think I may have found my solution! Thanks!
Heather, thanks! I’m not sure I’d have the author’s approval. Sue Patrick has a book full of amazing ideas and concepts. At least here, I’ve been happy taking what I can use and what I have room for. I am very low on space! Thanks for your comment.