Workboxes

Today we started a new way of doing school using the Workbox System developed by Sue Patrick. I spent the past couple of weeks reading blogs and taking what I wanted from how each person did their system. Since we're just trying it out, I also did not want to invest a lot of money until I saw how it worked for us so I'm using what we already had for now.

I'm using a toy bin organizer that was in our play room for Isaac's boxes-worked out perfectly since there were 12 bins. For Elijah, I used a small bookshelf that we already had and bought a few cheap bins at Walmart. He's starting with 6 instead of 12.

To number their boxes I made laminated sheets with each of their names and the numbers 1-14. The Workbox System just calls for 12 but I added a couple extra in case I wanted/needed them at any time. I also made a few extra cirlces that said "Snack", "10 minute break", "play outside for 20 minutes", etc.

The numbers are velcroed on to their sheets. I plan on putting velcro on their bins as well but ran out so for now, I just toss the number into the correct box. So the night before, I set up their box by putting in the work along with the number tag. As they finish their box, they put the number back on their sheet and when all of the numbers are replaced and boxes are empty-they're done!

I've seen many people put a pencil in each bin that it's needed, crayons in each bin, and so on but I'm using an idea from an online friend of mine instead. You can see how she does her system here. We're doing totes with all of their supplies. I bought small scrapbooking organizers at Walmart (they were $6 each) and filled them with crayons, pencils, pencil sharpeners, colored pencils, rulers, scissors, glue sticks, their "I need help" cards and Isaac's has a chapter book to read for when he's waiting for me to help him. This way they can take their totes with them wherever they choose to work.
It's only been our first day of doing workboxes but so far, so good! They both really enjoyed going through their boxes and the fun things mixed in gives them the motivation to finish the things they consider not-so-fun. Eventually I really want to get this system from IKEA but that will have to wait until funds allow.