Our Homeschool Room

Welcome Blog Hoppers! This post was originally published exactly one month ago today. Weird. What can I say? I’m a woman before my time. That or I’m out of the loop.

We’ve tried numerous school room/school nook scenarios. They haven’t worked. They were out of the main part of the house where I couldn’t keep an eye on the little ones, with all their desks separate I couldn’t stack their school books by them, I didn’t have everything I needed at hand, or it was all so exposed on wire shelves that it made the room look not so great.

With 5 kiddos ranging in age from 4th grade to 10 months we had to get creative.

Here’s what’s working right now:

We keep all the art supplies where they can get to them at all times – on the computer desk. I separate them by type: all glue in one bucket, all paints in another, all chalk, all crayons, stamps, etc.

This is just one of the basket collections on the computer desk. It takes so many, you know. I keep one small handy bucket for everyday schoolwork so I can grab just one bucket and get us started right away. That little silver one up there with the assortment of supplies. Pencils, glue, scissors, crayons, chalk for me, pencil sharpener all in one little bucket to set in the middle of the table for our table time.

I keep all our paper in the computer desk drawer where even the 3 year old can reach it.

Here’s another handy tip we use:

When I open a new ream of paper I take a stack of it and cut it in half before putting it in the drawer. With all the quick scribbles of the 3 and 5 year olds – we go through a lot of paper. This way we go through it half as quickly.

I can’t wait for all the back-to-school supplies to be marked way down so we can stock up again! Did you know we’re still using some of the glue sticks we got last year on sale? Whee!!

So, how’s your school room look? What’s your plan for the new year? What works for you and what doesn’t? Do you also eat where you learn?

This is linked up with Heart of the Matter Online’s Not Back to School Blog Hop. Jump over there to see where a bunch of other people “do school”!

Not Back to School Blog Hop

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  • http://countryblossom.blogspot.com Katy~TheCountryBlossom

    You have an absolutely lovely schoolroom!!! :)
    .-= Katy~TheCountryBlossom´s last [post] ..Our Schoolroom 10-11 =-.

  • http://fuentesy.blogspot.com Yunia

    I like the giant chalk board – have a great school year
    .-= Yunia´s last [post] ..School Room 2010-2011 =-.

  • http://www.butterscotchsundae.com Nichole

    Thanks for the paper-cutting tip. That is brilliant!

  • http://funinthesunmom.blogspot.com Julie

    Great setup and thanks so much for that tip! My boys grab the computer paper and make one little drawing all the time…never thought to cut it in half lol. Hope you have a great year.
    .-= Julie´s last [post] ..Cats On Tuesday- One Liners =-.

  • http://smallworldathome.blogspot.com Sarah at SmallWorld

    Great idea to cut the paper in half! Wow! How could I never have thought of that?
    .-= Sarah at SmallWorld´s last [post] ..Where We Do School =-.

  • http://astablebeginning.blogspot.com Jacquelin

    What a great space you have, thanks for letting me take a peek inside. I love the chalkboard wall! Have a great year!
    .-= Jacquelin´s last [post] ..Not Back To School School room =-.

  • http://branchofwisdom.blogspot.com/ Tamara

    Wow! Gotta love that chalkboard :) Such a neat learning environment. Have a wonderful school year.
    .-= Tamara´s last [post] ..Thoughts from a Homemakers Heart – 8-09-10 =-.

  • Heidi

    Such a sweet room!!!

    Our kids use scrap paper from my husband’s office (any paper that has one side empty, but doesn’t have any patient or business info on the other side – such as random faxes they receive)…we have two bins full! Saves us TONS! :)

  • Mariposa

    I love your idea of cutting the paper in half; my daughter uses way too much paper. I love your blackboard too.

  • http://eclecticeducationhomeschool.blogspot.com/ Lynn (eclecticeducation)

    Beautiful room! Your baskets are a great idea and I may copy your paper trick! My little guy loves getting into my paper. lol!!!
    .-= Lynn (eclecticeducation)´s last [post] ..Our School Room =-.

  • http://6arrows.blogspot.com Kathi

    …cut the paper in half!!! Genius!

    My school room is not together yet…maybe I should post it as a “before” pic?!

    Your place looks great, and spacious…our’s was crammed to the max as a school room and dining room.
    .-= Kathi´s last [post] ..Childrens Book Monday- Little Bear Goes to the Moon =-.

  • http://homeschooljournal-bergblog.blogspot.com/ Phyllis

    It is so beautiful. I love how the chalkboard looks stylish, the way you have it. Some people just have natural style, and, girl, you got it!

  • http://bunchofbarrons.blogspot.com Austin-Lee

    Oh I love the art-hanging on the wall. :) Great idea! The paper idea, too. I’ll have to remember that one…
    .-= Austin-Lee´s last [post] ..Passenger Seat =-.

  • http://jackandsasa.typepad.com/dragonflydays/ Joey

    Love the chalkboard wall and art display. Great room!
    .-= Joey´s last [post] ..August 9 2010 =-.

  • http://JOYfilledfamily.blogspot.com lena

    Your school room is simple and organized – just the way I like it. The chalkboard and border is a creative idea.
    Have a blessed school year.

  • http://agarden4tam22.blogspot.com/ Tammy

    Suzanne, your chalkboard is wonderful! Ours went from our old school building to downstairs and we tend not to use it much anymore. But every time I go downstairs to do laundry it has a different name in the “(insert name) is Mom’s favorite!” :-)

    Primarily I love your desk. It looks like an older one and those babies are built solid and roomy, so I give you an A+ for that!

    Blessings,
    Tammy ~@~
    .-= Tammy´s last [post] ..play it again =-.

  • http://www.learntolove-lovetolearn.blogspot.com L2L

    I to enjoy “hiding” things in my house. I can’t stand for clutter to take away from the simple beauty of any room. You did an awesome job!!! Have a blessed school year!!!

  • http://www.kathink.blogspot.com Kathleen T. Jaeger

    I love the simplicity of your classroom. I like the idea of cutting the paper in half when you open the ream! Brilliant! I still feel like we waste so much paper!! I will be doing this. I didn’t think to put pictures up of the supply caddy or the book boxes that we use! I’m glad that you did, though!

  • http://themiracleofthemoment.blogspot.com/ Charlene

    I see I’m not the only one wondering how I could have not thought about cutting paper in half! Pure genius! I will be doing that this afternoon (well, my older boys will be doing that this afternoon!). And that chalkboard is to die for. What a great use of space!
    .-= Charlene´s last [post] ..Not Back to School Blog Hop- School Room week! =-.

  • http://boysrulemylife.blogspot.com Becky@BoysRuleMyLife

    LOVE the tip on cutting the paper before giving access to it!! We go through soooooo much paper! My oldest loves drawing and making up stories and then turning them into “books”. Thanks for the great idea!
    .-= Becky@BoysRuleMyLife´s last [post] ..Ive Fallen and I Cant Get Up =-.

  • http://passionatemotherhood.blogspot.com/ Anna

    Beautiful room! I love your new way to display art. Did you just nail the string/rope into the wall?

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