Our Schoolroom
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I almost didn’t do a schoolroom post since our schoolroom hasn’t really changed since the last time I posted photos, which, incidentally, was two years ago. However, after a change of plans left me with little else to do Friday night I decided I would…and since I was taking pictures, I needed to straighten up and organize first, right?
Not only did I get everything cleaned out and culled, but I also found a couple of bookends that are nicer and sturdier than the ones I’ve been using and I found our All About Spelling curriculum that I was ready to use again, but spent about 3 hours fearing I’d sold.
Our main formal schooling area is the dining room. There’s a good table and it’s near the sweet tea. Of course, since losing 80+ pounds, I don’t get to indulge in that enough to make that a huge plus. Note the ever-present water bottle that has replaced the ever-present glass of tea.
And, please tell me I’m not the only one who should take out stock in the company that sells legal pads?
This is the bookshelf that is pretty much command central, that holds some of the books that we use most often, our library books, Bibles and Bible study books and office supplies:
On top are the CD player for listening to things such as the 50 States songs and a peace lily, the only type of plant I’ve ever been able to successfully keep alive.
Stored somewhat neatly beside it are: our dry erase board, tripod for the dry erase board, my laptop bag, and my sadly-neglected drawing board. On the ledge next to the bookshelf is where my mom binder sits.
My mom binder holds our daily lesson plans customized and printed from Jolanthe’s Weekly Homeschool Planner, our yearly calendar, attendance forms, and other papers that I may need for school.
In the opposite corner sits a potato bin that my grandfather made for my grandmother many years ago. I don’t use much of the stuff that’s in it on a regular basis anymore, but it’s still a good place to store that random craft stuff so I know where it is.
Tonight when I cleaned out the bin, I found several perfectly round pieces of thick cardboard that I’d saved from something. I’m thinking they might come in handy for something Earth-related since that’s our science topic this year.
On top is where I usually keep our art caddy, an idea inspired by Jamie’s cute and cheap art organizer.
I’ve got a rotation of two sets of buckets right now – a patriot theme and a Christmas theme. I’d like to get one more set – probably something for spring – just to keep things fun and fresh.
Then, there is my China hutch. In the bottom storage area is where I keep the books and binders we use on a regular basis. I’ve also got a small file box with hanging folders that organize different types of paper. Finally, there are a couple of storage boxes that hold those random things that we use occasionally – or the things that I don’t have room for anymore since we turned our basement into a home gym.
I’m so glad that I made time to clean out that area. It was pretty bad and now it looks all neat and clean.
The big, comfy chair was given to me by Brian and the kids on one of my most memorable Mother’s Days ever.
In addition to the dining room, the kids do some of their schoolwork in their rooms – Josh and Megan each have older desktop computers in their rooms now so that they can do their math.
Brianna typically does her schoolwork in the little sitting area that we created outside her room when we rearranged for our gym. I would have taken a picture of that, but you know how teenagers can be about having their pictures taken…especially when they’re still in their PJ’s like Brianna was for school every day this week.
Where do you do school?
Kris Bales is a newly-retired homeschool mom and the quirky, Christ-following, painfully honest founder (and former owner) of Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers. She has a pretty serious addiction to sweet tea and Words with Friends. Kris and her husband of over 30 years are parents to three amazing homeschool grads. They share their home with three dogs, two cats, a ball python, a bearded dragon, and seven birds.
I LOVE your chair!
Wow I wish I was as organized as you. I am barely getting my head wrapped around the idea that I will be teaching my kids. I never had a desire to teach but I have found my self doing it. We started in the middle of the school year so we never we the full curriculum instead we used some workbooks, but this year we are looking into a REAL Curriculum. I am leaning towards the Rod & Staff Publishing. I have a 8 yr old son and a 4 yr old son, so I am hoping to be able to balance it all.
Love your space. I have to say, I did a double take when I first saw it, as we have the exact same chairs. Ha ha ha. Small world.
And I love that potato bin. Too cool.
Rachel
Great use of space. Love the buckets on the lazy susan!!
I love to see how organized everyone is. Looks great!
That chair is awesome! Lucky you!
And your schoolroom looks terrific too. 🙂
I love seeing other families' homeschool spaces!
I just did a post on my blog about this yesterday:
https://canadianhomelearning.blogspot.com/2011/08/our-home-learning-space.html
You are so organized! We are not AT ALL ready…. 🙂
It looks great! I might be a bit envious of your proximity to sweet tea… Maybe I should add some to our school room?
I love how organized your space is! And those little buckets–I love them.
You can never go wrong with a little sweet tea in your day. 😉
Love your lazy susan idea, Kris, for the pencils, glue, markers, etc. but I am afraid they would be stilled every day in our house. =/
Many Blessings! ~ Jen @ Gricefully Homeschooling
(https://gricefullyhomeschooling.blogspot.com/)
Ooh, your chair looks so comfy!
Here is my post on our school room: https://theepsteenchronicles.blogspot.com/2011/04/home-sweet-school.html
OK….I think I need to do some organizing. Everything looks great!
I LOVE the way you are reusing the potato bin! Special memories in there! I love the way you have everything organized and your chair!
Looks wonderful!
You are not the only one who should buy stock in legal pads. I love them and I also love index cards.
Oh, don't even get my started on index cards. I've written a whole post just for them! lol (https://weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/2009/04/ten-uses-for-index-cards.html)
Love your space, I'm looking forward to the time when I can keep all my stuff out and no one will touch it 🙂
If it's the same idea I've seen posted, the mom who designed this added magnets to the lazy susan to hold the metal buckets in place. I haven't tried it because our table does not have enough depth, but I imagine it would help keep them in place.