The Ultimate System to Organize Your Homeschool Year

When I first started homeschooling I searched endlessly for the best way to organize all our homeschool "stuff." I should have a fancier word for it, like "materials." But really, it just felt like a bunch of "stuff." Overflowing, overwhelming—STUFF!

I'd google "homeschool organization" and get pretty pictures of very pretty and organized homeschool rooms. That's not what I wanted. I wanted to know how they organized their stuff. How did they get set for each day's work? Where did they store it? How did they know what to get done each day? "Tell me, PLEASE!" I'd shout to my computer.

I'd love to say I found the perfect post or site, but there was nothing that I could find back then to help me out. So, I started experimenting. Through the eight "official" years we've been homeschooling, we've tried a lot of different systems. Some worked, some didn't. Many just needed a bit of tweaking to get working just right for us.

Now, I have six systems that I use to keep us organized. I wrote about 5 of my systems in this post HERE. {System #6 is coming soon—My Workboxes.} :) I don't use every system every year. However, the one thing I can't do without is my CRATE SYSTEM!

My crate houses ALL of our homeschool work for the whole year!! It's amazing! No more trying to guess what we need for each day, it's all planned out and in the crate. It really is the ultimate system!

Setting up your own crate system is pretty easy—you don't even have to start at the beginning of the year. In fact, I hear all year round about people who have started implementing my crate system—and loving it. All you have to do is get yourself a crate that is designed to hold hanging files, then {obviously} get yourself some hanging files, and finally a box of 3-tab file folders per child. I suggest getting a different color box for each child. {I also encourage you to watch my video below for more tips and tricks to setting your crate up.}

That's it! That's all you need! Basically, you need one hanging file for each week {label the plastic tab}. In each hanging file, you will put a colored file folder for each child. Voila! You are ready for stuffing!

Are you ready for this? Next, I tear apart almost all of our workbooks! Shocking! I know! I don't care if it's bound. I tear it apart and section it out by the appropriate number for pages for each week!

I'm telling you this system revolutionized the way our homeschool runs! My older boys are now so independent with their work since they aren't waiting for me to get them their work for the day. They know exactly what they need to do.

What's great is that my kids can work ahead if they want, they just grab their work from the next folder and start working ahead. I find they get really motivated to get through their work faster when they get a visual for the work that is expected of them for the week. If they fall behind, then we just add the extra work to the next week's folder or find time to catch up. {See my tips for falling behind HERE.}

Now it's your turn!

I want to challenge you! No matter what time of year it is—if it's too close to summer break, then do it for next year—set up a crate system in your homeschool! You can do it! You will love it! To make this challenge more fun: POST pictures of your crate system on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! Use #CloverCrate and tag me @KristiClover, so I can see it!

Want to see my crate system in action? Check out my video below!