Organizing Your Homeschool?

[Rush'd Lady]

January is a good time to turn over a new leaf and get organized!
If you are a homeschooling educator like me, how do you organize your school supplies, daily textbooks & workbooks, plus all of the other stuff you need -- like your personal library and reference materials, public library books, unit study supplies, calendar of activities, support group newsletters, lesson plans/assignment lists/records/ resources you would recommend to others, catalogs, office equipment, posters, and so forth. Need some new ideas.
Thanks in advance!

~ the Rush'd Lady

[sprite]

This year I actually got a big storage container and labeled it "Homeschool Books Not Being Used". So that's a start for me!!! Our "dining room" has two computers, etc. in it. It also contains two storage tubs, one for each of my girls. The majority of their work is kept in there...math book, spelling, pencil box, etc. I keep a few catalogs above my computer (Rainbow Resources, CBD, Tobin's Lab) for easy reference to prices when Im searching on-line for used books, though I just noticed two days ago that I have THREE DIFFERENT CBD catalogs there! I also purchased an Internet Guide of educational sites a few years back (free updates quarterly!) that I also keep handy above my computer. Then in the living room (very near the computers) I have a shelf with all the books I use, plus a lot of others that SHOULD be in the above-mentioned box and aren't (sigh......but you never know when I MIGHT want it!) Art supplies are in the basement, in another labeled box.

I sure haven't "arrived" yet. The room with the coputer looks like chaos now. But it's Monday, DH went back to school today (he's a high school teacher), and we're ready to settle back down to some serious learning!!! My "baby", who turned four in Dec, has been told that he needs to do "real" schoolwork like his sisters to work on his ABC's. (Well, only about 15 minutes to a half-hour a day probably, but I want to be more consistant with that!)

[deezie]

Hi,

I have a bin with all the work Abigail has done already, I have shelves that store her books, and mine for school, we have a huge thing thats white and has pull-out shelves that are pretty deep. thats in the closet, in there we have all our craft supplies, and theres alot of them. we change our routine so much now that Belle(my one year old) is running around, she doens't let us sit down and do too much formal schooling, so we do it through the day and night now, and weekends, its working out so far, I love organizing things, so all my books and games and stuff is all in one place,
deezie

[Rush'd Lady]

I've found a book at the library here called


The Organized Homeschool. By Vicki Caruana. 2001.

Has anyone read it yet? Are there any practical ideas in it?

~the Rush'd Lady.

[4boymamma]

Hello!
Hopefully this will help... I like to think that I am pretty organized. Our homeschooling takes place (for the most part) on the dining room table and the couch in the living room. But, I have things stored in many locations.

1. things used weekly- books, workbooks, counting chips, crayons, etc... these things are stored on two lower shelves on my entertainment center. My boys each have their own shelf.

2. art supplies are all in one major bag hooked to a clothes hanger hanging in the hall closet. Inside the huge bag are smaller bags. One for felt, one for painting supplies, one for paper supplies etc.... At some point I will buy a plastic 3 drawer dresser for this purpose.

3. library books belong on the top tier of a 3 tier wire rack in my dining room. This keeps us from having last minute "where are all the library books???"

4. all homeschooling books not currently being used go in the top two book shelves in my son's room. Trust me there are many books. I have almost everything for grades prek through 12th grade. LOL! I can never pass up a bargain! (check the goodwill in your area) These are all in order of grade and all labeled with the appropriate grade level.

5. items like flash cards, dominos, stickers, etc... are stored in plastic baskets on the bookshelf with the not currently used homeschool books.

6. my children each have a pencil box and folder. The folder is for their finished school work. This is just to keep until a later time when I take good examples of our work out for record keeping.

7. all "non-homeschooling" books (just to read on spare time) go in the middle two shelves of the bookshelf in my son's room.

8. all movies and tapes go in the last two shelves of my son's bookshelf in his room.

Whew! That really seems like alot. It does keep us well organized for right now though.
HTH,
Sheri

[Hallmark Girl]

Hello, ladies!

Dear Rus'd lady--I also have the book "The Organized Homeschooler" and I am trying to get to it. I am currently reading "Help for the Harried Homeschooler" by Christine Field which I needed to read first!! It should have some good organizational tips as it's premise is balancing your children's education with the rest of your life. For me, organizing our "stuff" is fairly easy it's the balancing act I have trouble with!

I have been hs'ing for 5 years and have learned along the way two very important lessons.
1. keep everything within reach as much as possible (same room) and
2. KISS, that's Keep It Simple, Sweetie! My DH taught me that one!

Whatever your style is or how your go about organizing your "stuff", if you keep it very simple and uncomplicated it should work out just fine! As for us, we have a very large kitchen where we "do school" at the kitchen table. The table is also where we eat, play games, sew, etc. so I have to be organized! In the corner of the kitchen we have 2 large storage cabinets with shelving that store all of our school materials and arts and crafts/office supplies. I chose white ones which match the cabinetry and decor of my kitchen and they keep everything neat and in one place. The kids each have a shelf/cubbie to keep their current year books/materials.

I am a book lover and so are my kids, so we have 2 very large bookshelves in our living room (again they look nice and fit in well) to house books and we each have a small bookcase in each of our rooms.

My state is very homeschool friendly and doesn't require rigid record keeping and portfolios; however, I do like to keep those kinds of things (on a more relaxed scale) on my own. I use 3-ring binders to keep all the year's work--clearly labled with grade and name. These binders and all other texts/materials not currently being used are stored in Rubbermaid containers, again, clearly labeled. I use lots of organizational gizmos like 3 drawer storage bins, magazine holders, baskets, etc. Each child has a 9x12 in. plastic "basket" for their daily work and to stay organized each day.

I hope this helps someone--remember the key is to Keep it Simple-whatever works best for you!

[sprite]

After reading your post yesterday, I found that our library system had SEVERAL copies of "The Harried Homeschooler", two of them at my local branch. Since our one "big trip" per month was today (when the books were due!), I picked it up. Sounds interesting! They also had Sally Clarkson's book, I think it's "Seasons of a Mother's Heart"???? But only one at a time for me, please!

[Rush'd Lady]

Just wanted you to know, I started rearranging my books. My son was complaining today he didn't know which books he was to read (although he has a list in his literature notebook, but then that's too much trouble to go look them up =0), those in the bookcase, so I decided to pile them in a huge basket under my coffee table and put my books in the bookcase. Also dusting as I go and I must say it needed it!

I've started! What is that saying about a job begun is half done?

~the Rush'd Lady

[Hallmark Girl]

Sprite, you sure must have a GREAT library. I love our library, but unfortunately they don't carry many of these types of books! Perhaps I should purchase a few as a gift donation or request they purchase some of these titles.

Sally Clarkson is wonderful! What a great lady--I'd love to meet her someday. I have her book "Seasons of a Mother's Heart" and have used it for a devotional at a Mother's Day banquet. If we get our hearts set on being Godly moms, then I think all the rest falls into place--like homeschooling. If only I could get that!
Another great book is "A Mother's Heart" by Jean Fleming.

Rush'd lady, you mentioned getting your books in order. Something I learned while being a teacher's aide in a preschool was to catagorize books by using colored stickers you can get at any office supply place or Wal-mart. I use the colored round circle ones and that way when they are on the shelf you know where your reading, history, science, etc. books are at a glance. It takes time to set it up, but once you do it's easy to maintain and easy for everyone even the kids to use.

[sprite]

Cheryl, that's one of the biggest advantage of living in a BIG city. We've been rated one of the best library systems in the nation. And I'm doubly blessed in that we've one of the larger branches within biking distance from our house. They've now gone to sending notices out by e-mail the day before things are due, which has helped with fines immensly. DH is talking about moving out (WAY out!) in the country in a few years; I told him the thing I'd miss the most would be the library!!!

The Clarksons spoke at our conference a few years back. He was OK, but she was VERY impressive in person! "The Whole-Hearted Child" was what helped dh's heart change more to where he recognizes HS'ing as a lifestyle, with an emphasis on discipleship.

[Rush'd Lady]

Cheryl,
I've worked as a volunteer page in a library, so had given the dewey decimal system a thought, but with as many books as we all have, the idea was overwhelming! =0) Although your idea of just colored stickers, I hadn't thought of before and that would be more manageable. I'll have to go shopping and get me some! =0)

I'm going to have to go find those other books you all are talking about. I hadn't heard of the others and I'm our homeschool group's resource list typer! I'll have to see if our public library carries them.

Does your homeschool support group have their own library? We have one -- our librarian lives in the 'burbs on a couple of acres with a large "barn" (shed) which she has graciously arranged into a library for us. We make appointments to visit or she sometimes brings a couple of milk crates full of books to our group's meetings for people to check out.

Thanks for the ideas -- love 'em!

~the Rush'd Lady

[Hallmark Girl]

Hello, again! Rush'd Lady, our hs group just started a "library" a couple of years ago with any left over money we had at the end of the year from our dues. We only have a "handful" of books. Mostly manual type books to help others get started or get through the rough spots. Our group is small in comparison to others--we are a very rural farming area and our group actually serves our county and then some! We have doubled in size in the 5 years I have been doing this! I'd love to implement a library for our group and one of the moms has started a database of books/materials we would be willing to share with each other so I guess that is like a library system. Personally, I am a book-a-holic and have created my own library in our home.
Glad you enjoyed the tips!

Sprite, I do live in a small town and have considered purchasing a library card in a city close by--still haven't decided whether it would be worth the cost. Our library system does have a great loaning program which I believe is statewide. The problem is you never know when the book is going to show up.

[Rush'd Lady]

Our district branch of our state homeschool association has a curriculum library. You have to reserve your curriculum early in the summer months, but if you don't have the funds to purchase your whole curriculum in one lump sum, I've heard this is the way to go (I personally haven't used it). They take a post-dated check w/ no amount written in and you are free to use the curriculum for a year. If the books don't come back in good shape or aren't returned at all, then they are free to cash your check for the amount it costs them to replace the book(s).

Here where I live, it doesn't cost anything to request books out of the system (inter-library loan), but I know in many communities that's not so. And like you said, not knowing when a book may come in after being on a request list for awhile can wreck havoc on an assignment schedule. That's why I don't mind buying used books and textbooks until I need them, but then that's part of my problem --

Where Do I Store Them Until We Do Need Them!

I live in a small 2 bedroom cottage with hardly any storage space, no basement, no garage, 1 spider infested storm cellar, a small shed that's full to the hilt with tools, Christmas & Seasonal Storage.

Got any other ideas for me?

~the Rush'd Lady

[sprite]

We have an inter-library loan, too. You are allowed a certain number free per year, and then there's a slight cost. I've never used it, but have HS'ing friends that use it a lot.

I would like a program that lends out curriculum! I know I've lent stuff out, that I've borrowed stuff to "check it out" to see if I REALLY wanted it. Everyone raves about "Five in a Row". Well, the local library has it, as well as that one reading book..."How to read in 100 Easy Lessons"...or something like that! After looking them both over from the library, I REALLY didn't like either one! I"ve bought both Horizon Math and Learning Language Arts Through Literature both after borrowing them from friends, and I've switched my daughter to Saxon which I was able to borrow from a friend. I'll probably buy it next year. I'm currently trying to find if someone has Writing Strands for me to borrow for the rest of this year.

[Hallmark Girl]

How is you closet space, Rush'd Lady? When we moved, I gained an acre of country land, but lost my attic, basement and backroom storage area. I'm still trying to figure out where to put everything! Our other home was pre-closet era so we did gain closets and I am making good use out of them thanks to all the great organizational tools out there. You might find some great books at the library on how to organize your stuff. I believe there is a woman named Julie Morgenstern or Morgenstein that has some great organizational books. An over-the-door pocket shoe holder is great to keep stuff in. We use one in our coat closet for smaller type games, cards, hats, gloves, etc. I also have one in my closet for my rubber stamping/scrapbooking stuff.

[Rush'd Lady]

This house was built pre-closet era, but there has been a closet built into our bedroom (used to be the dining room) that my husband and I share with sliding doors. We were able to put a mirror on the outside one. And on my side, there's built in shelves which is full -- two shelves have books, 1 has my portable sewing machine, the bottom one holds shoes. On the other side, my husband has the attic door and electric outlet! On the floor is two rubbermaid boxes full of material, and my husband's basket of shoes. Along the back wall, we have a card table there.
We also have, in our bedroom, 2 dressers, my computer desk, 2 bookshelves, stacking video drawers, 2 sets of 4 drawer filing cabinets, a queen size bed, 2 night stands, a blanket chest, stacking milk crates with scrapbooking supplies & photos in them, a dirty clothes hamper, and walking space. Yes, we are full!
My son's bedroom was the former kitchen, so his closet is a deep pantry. We had to add a wooden rod for his clothes near the front and the way it's built, the door is a curtain!
I try to weed periodically, but my husband is one for "if it's an empty spot, it needs to be filled"!
We have a kitchen, living room, tiny laundry room, and bath.
Ask me what I want for Christmas -- NOT a "partridge in a pear tree" ! LOL!

~the Rush'd Lady

P.S. I guess I forgot to mention, the state homeschool district library is for curriculum. When you reserve it, you can get all the pieces together -- teacher's answer key, workbook (leave unmarked), lab book, etc. Our district also has an used book sale during June. I've gotten some great bargains there!

[Rush'd Lady]

You know, ladies! You can take your slightly used homeschool and book catalogs to your libraries with your wants bookmarked and/or circled!

The library I volunteered for, although in a small town, was part of a larger county system and they were always looking for purchase suggestions. The library in the town I live in now welcomed our resource list and have started "classes" one day a month for homeschooled students.

I know this doesn't automatically mean you will get your wishes, but it does give the libraries a heads up on what you would like to see!

Blessings!

[sprite]

Not always! I was looking for Hilyer's "A child's history of the world", on pg. 491 of Rainbow Resource catalog. They told me it was "out of print". I took in the catalog and showed them, and was told that they couldn't get it for me because all the "authorized" dealers (including Amazon) had it listed as "out of print".

[Rush'd Lady]

I contacted the head librarian of the library I volunteered for previously and she sent me this explanation of the dilemna Sprite mentioned and here is what she told me:

"Big library systems like ours (a county system) actually have to jump through more hoops to get items, and usually just have a few approved vendors or jobbers that they deal with to get books, because they can get a discount and the country approves them, etc. I know if we wanted to purchase something from Chinaberry or CBD, for example, we couldn't do it out of our regular funds. We would have to get special gift monies or donations from the Friends of the Library if we wanted to pursue a purchase like that. Small independent libraries have much more flexibility that we do. Sue."

So I guess it's up to us private citizens to either donate money for the specific book(s) we would like to see or donate the books ourselves in certain instances, although I know in my library (run by a private company for the county & not owned by the county as in Sue's case) we have many home educational books. As to their purchase, I can't say who purchased them! But I'm glad I was able to access them at the right time!

[Rush'd Lady]

Anyway, so I guess a private library could still be the answer.

I've been in many of my homeschooling friends' homes and it seems they have bookshelves everywhere. Do they have a system of organizing their books. I don't know.

Do you know where your books are? I liked the idea of the colored stickers, but have you gone to that length? How do you know if you only have one copy of a certain book and not have bought a "repeat?" Do you have a card catalog?

Have you "schooled" your children in a library study to see how your home library is organized? Have you had their help to organize yours?

And how do you get rid of the books and other materials you no longer what or need?

Still curious.