How I Organize My Messy Homeschool Room
“BAM!” Yep, that's the sound that comes to mind when I look at my homeschool room right now. It pretty much looks like a bomb went off in it. It's not pretty. However, believe it or not, there is a method to the madness.
Destroying Order to Bring Order!
Okay, so destroying is probably a harsh word for what I'm doing. I'm basically going section by section and creating tons of piles in order to group like things together. That's the key! Group!
I put next year's curriculum in one area by subject and child. I sort all of next year's read alouds book out, then put them in the order that we'll get to them on my bookshelf. As I'm sorting and grouping, I'm also gutting out what we no longer need to have on shelves and in the room. Organizing spaces is all about grouping like things together–even if it gets a bit messy in the process.
[Tweet “Organizing spaces is all about grouping like things together–even if it gets a bit messy in the process.”]
Storing for Another Day!
So, all those items that just got “gutted” out of my bookshelves and off desks get put into a series of boxes I have in my school room. I have boxes for curriculum subjects not in use: math, science, preschool/kindergarten, and language arts. I also have boxes for history books and my curriculum. Since we go through history sequentially in our homeschool, I put the books we used last year back in their designated box and pull out this years. What I love about my history boxes is that as I find fun books or art projects, I just stick them in their correct boxes. I have Geography, Ancient history, Medieval history, American history (through 1850), and then 1850 to Modern times.
Close Out Last Year's Material!
The biggest offender in my school room right now is last year's work. We hadn't fully closed out our year. I actually paid my older boys to finish grading all the last tests and to file all the work in our filing system. Best money I spent all summer.
My Favorite Organizing Tool: My Labeler!
Want to See Just How Bad My Homeschool Room Looks as I'm Organizing?
It's pretty bad right now! Like I said, “BAM!” Don't believe me, then watch this video. I do mention a few great tips on here about how to I organize my crate and what I do with workbooks that I'll use again with other kids. So, don't miss watching it.
ORGANIZING IS MY PASSION!
Weird passion, I know! At least I can admit that it's weird. However, here on my blog and in all that I do online I'm always trying to help people find “simple solutions for a more joy-filled life.” Well, if you are looking to get more organized with your homeschooling, then I have just the thing for you. I designed a new eCourse: The Ultimate Homeschool Organization Course. In this video based online course I walk you through how to prepare for your homeschool year and plan out a good flow for your homeschool day. I then show you in great detail 5 systems that we use that get all your curriculum organized — and help streamline your homeschool day. I also have a bonus section of the eCourse where I talk to you about how to motivate your kids, homeschool with littles in the house, plan fun into your year, and more! I really want you to enjoy homeschooling and not feel overwhelmed and stressed out by homeschooling. I hope you'll check it out. I'd love to get you started! — Oh, did I mention all the great printables that go along with it? You're going to love it!
NEW TO RAISING CLOVERS?
I’m new to homeschooling– this will be my first year. I have a son (4), and daughter (2). We just want to get my son (& I) started on the journey so that when we start kindergarden we’re in a groove and have things in hand. I have no idea how or where I should set up my homeschool area!
I could do in the kids room (they share). In the guest room/ my art room. or in the living room. There’d be a little corner available in any of these rooms & these are my options. I’m having trouble finding ideas on how to actually set something up though. Do you have anything or could you point me in the right direction?
It’s really up to you. My big suggestion would be to try out the different rooms this year and see how it goes. 🙂 Rooms close to the kitchen probably work best. Mine isn’t, but we always end up downstairs in the family room since it’s near the kitchen.
I absolutely love to organize too! Great job thanks for sharing.
how di you tear a page if abook for exercises and ther other face is a lesson ???
tgank you
I answer this question in the new bonus video “To Tear or Not to Tear.” There is a couple things you can do. 🙂