Comments on Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers: Review: Sue Patrick's Workbox System

http://pebblekeeper.wordpress.com/2010/01/04/organ...

2010-01-04T15:37:35.889-05:00

http://pebblekeeper.wordpress.com/2010/01/04/organizing-the-heap/

I posted some pics from today's organizational efforts. Think we'll start actually DOING anything til um well tomorrow. :)

"an organizational system that was developed in th...

2009-10-27T05:23:06.063-04:00

"an organizational system that was developed in the autism community and has been tweaked by author Sue Patrick"

Thank you for this statement! I got tired of hearing how this is "her" system and no one better deviate from "her" system.

Looks like a tweaker calling the kettle black, huh? She's the original tweaker!

Love your adaptation. Those hanging files in a mi...

2009-10-26T15:12:14.780-04:00

Love your adaptation. Those hanging files in a milk crate seem more practical/realistic for families with less space and less need for the level of structure autistic (and other) kids need.

I've been looking for just this kind of thing! Piling their work in blue dish tubs just doesn't have quite the same panache :0)

Julie

I have been intrigued by the workbox system since ...

2009-10-26T08:16:51.073-04:00

I have been intrigued by the workbox system since I first heard of it. However, like you, I did not want to have boxes for three kids set up.
I love how you've adapted it for your needs because I am also one of those homeschool moms who never quite do things exactly as I am instructed. :) (And things work out just fine anyway!)

I also adapted the system for us, and I am finding...

2009-10-25T21:22:06.851-04:00

I also adapted the system for us, and I am finding it very helpful! I'm too flexible a homeschooler for all that rigidity too!

We use the workboxes in a looser, a bit more unstr...

2009-10-25T17:46:54.514-04:00

We use the workboxes in a looser, a bit more unstructured way as well. I really like the concept, but was hard pressed to find 12 things that we can do every day. Then I sort of felt a slave to the order. We ended up changing things up quite a bit, but still keeping the boxes. My oldest son has Sensory Processing Disorder (unlike others who say that the rigidity may be more necessary) and I actually found the boxes to rigid for him, maybe it's because he is still young (age 5, 1st grade) and can't read for himself. I feel that I am open to changing things as we go along though, so we will see how it all progresses. :)

I wasn't under a rock but I was in the hospital 10...

2009-10-25T16:01:59.535-04:00

I wasn't under a rock but I was in the hospital 10 times last year - so workboxes are fairly new to me.

We satrted using workboxes and love them. I don't do quiet sticks either but appreciate auststic children may need them.

As a typical homeschooler we do adapted the syatem to meet our unit study needs. I have some photos posted --clcik onn my name to view.

Thanks for sharing.

Wow! That looks great! I love how it is encouragin...

2009-10-25T13:17:02.272-04:00

Wow! That looks great! I love how it is encouraging independent work.

Kris, thank you for your great review! We've actua...

2009-10-25T09:33:05.194-04:00

Kris, thank you for your great review! We've actually been using milk crates for ea. of my kids the last couple of years, in order to keep all of their current every-day stuff together, easily accessible and portable, though I haven't put hanging files in it. I believe THAT alone would help to organize what so quickly becomes a stacked, jumbled mess (I'd even thought to, but haven't gotten around to it yet with so much moving, etc. going on). Thank you for the input, this may be exactly what I'm looking for, since I too don't want to be fixing what isn't broken, nor do I desire to drastically change what HAS been good in our own homeschool, but rather just refine it. This may very well be a workable answer to my prayers of late, as I do need to incoorperate more prepared scheduling/independent directives into our day for my two middle schoolers, since our 2yo seems to throw off my groove more days than not, and it seems that EVERY subject that they're not independent with, or don't have prior written directions/plans suffers for it.
Blessings~

I also don't use the system exactly as written, bu...

2009-10-24T21:24:19.009-04:00

I also don't use the system exactly as written, but many of the things that I have changed are the same things that you have changed. I do have the kids work through things in order, however. Because they do several of the things together, I set things up to make that easier.

My kids really love the Workbox system! We have been doing it for about 8 weeks now, and they still like it and so do I. I figure that's a great sign! ;)

We use the workbox system also, with some tweaking...

2009-10-24T17:36:32.704-04:00

We use the workbox system also, with some tweaking. I only have one child so it was easy to have 12 boxes but I do not use any of the cards or number strips. It has helped me stay organized, and has encouraged me to switch things up on a daily basis to add in all those items we buy but don't quite get to. My daughter likes seeing what is coming up next and when she will be finished. We accomplish between 7 - 12 boxes each day depending on what else we have planned.
Blessings
Diane

We have also modified the workbox system - 3 times...

2009-10-24T14:26:02.517-04:00

We have also modified the workbox system - 3 times. We really enjoy it especially now that we have the kinks worked out. You can see our modifications at http://nogginsandnonsense.blogspot.com/2009/10/work-boxes-to-work-pockets.html I love reading about others modifications. I too seem to aways tweak a program for our family, it's just my nature, so i can totally relate to your thoughts on it. :)

Kris, I like this system too...I did think Sue w...

2009-10-24T11:50:34.603-04:00

Kris,

I like this system too...I did think Sue was a bit much when it came to certain attitudes of how to "do" they system, but our version of the system works well too...I did not do the number strips or other cards...I am a little bit unstructured when it comes to that, so I attached the numbers to each box...and they stay there...
I think the beauty of this system is the the children "SEE" all of their work...then they see it GOING AWAY...I have tried a couple of variations...file box, numbered folders...but use the system mostly how it was designed for my oldest. He is able to get through more work than ever before.
Another beauty for me is some of what you described for checking work....You HAVE to look through it because they need to be refilled...and that is a great way to guard against building it up and then having to reteach two major math sections....aaaauuuugggghhhh!
One last thing I love is that EVERYTHING GOES IN THE BOX...well, I don't put pencils in, but everything you need...so there is no last minute remembering...oh, I need a map...ok...we'll do that in a little bit...and then you get off track, and then you forget...sometimes for 2 weeks...it is all in the box, so there is no DOWN TIME waiting for the things you need...
THanks for the review!
C~

I dig the milk crates. Often my 10 yo will grab wo...

2009-10-24T11:06:40.155-04:00

I dig the milk crates. Often my 10 yo will grab work from several boxes and head to the couch. I like that the crates take up less room and are portable and stackable. Great idea. *Ü*

Great review Kris! I always love seeing how famili...

2009-10-24T10:46:15.839-04:00

Great review Kris! I always love seeing how families modify it for their use. At some point, I'd like to modify it for classroom use, as I think it could be beneficial, but it will be a while before I can try it out.

I understand why the system is so rigid though. When working with autistic kids and kids with more severe cases of ADHD, that "Be quiet" sign will be a must, as will a certain number of "help" cards. I've found with my experience, mostly with ADHD kids, they tend to like to make excuses for not being able to do stuff on their own, so this forces them to think about it and figure it out, instead of crawling to you acting helpless. It also teaches them management skills, which is something they often so need. But, like you said, your family doesn't need it, so you could make that modification.

We use a loose version of it also, but only use 6 ...

2009-10-24T09:55:26.799-04:00

We use a loose version of it also, but only use 6 boxes in a stacking drawer set up. It works great for us. We are like you and do certain subjects together, so that is why we use 6. Plus, my boys are young :)

I've been using the workbox system for my boys (3r...

2009-10-24T09:28:43.103-04:00

I've been using the workbox system for my boys (3rd and 5th grade) for the past 9 weeks. We love it! Of course, I don't use it EXACTLY as she lays it out in her book. The system has helped my boys tremendously with staying organized with their work and working through ALL of it. I have found some unexpected benefits to me as well:
1. The system encourages me to stay on top of grading! My boys EXPECT yesterday's work to be graded and in their workbox with their new work so it holds me accountable.
2. The system helps me to have more review in my boys' days and to add indepedent projects that they can do that relate to our unit study.
3. The system has helped the boys to be more independent although they are free to ask for help whenever they need to ask.
4. The system helps me to be more organized.

My oldest child (7th) doesn't use workboxes as she follows her assignment list very well.

Thank you for the post!
Samantha