We just started using the Sue Patrick Workbox System this year and LOVE it! For those of you who don’t know what it is, its not a curriculum, but an organization system. I’ll do my best to explain it to you, but Sue does a better job on her website, so you can look there for a video demonstration of how to set it up! My setup is a bit different than what Sue Patrick recommends, but I really believe you can modify the system to suit your needs. I recommend her book, it has a lot of great ideas and teaching philosophies as well as a free typing program which we love!
Here’s an overview of how we use our workboxes. I really can’t say enough about the workbox system! Its totally revolutionized how we do school! I can’t imagine trying to organize 3 different grade levels without them! Here’s a photo of what my setup looks like:
Side Note: I have to say I like the workboxes separating the kids, seems to help them focus.
I got these workboxes at JoAnn’s during a 50% off sale, you can also find them at Sam’s club. They are called Smart Place 10 drawer carts.
The Planning:
I use an excel spreadsheet to do my planning. At the end of each week, Thurs or Fri I sit down and go through my teacher’s manuals and fill in the spreadsheet for what will go in boxes during the week. After I put in core work, I fill the boxes that are left over with fun educational games or crafts, and I try to make them go along with what we are doing. This planning part takes an hour sometimes a little more, but the smoothness that it creates for the actual school day makes it well worth the effort.
I have 3 kids doing school now, so each of them get a different color sheet, and the only purpose to that is so I can tell them apart easily. Each week I copy and paste the grid from the previous week into a new sheet in the same excel file, that way all my records are in one place. I print each weeks sheet and store it in a binder to show our lesson plans.
I also print out a copy of the page and tape it to the wall above each student’s desk so its easy for me to see as we’re working, and to fill boxes when we’re done. (If I make any changes during the week, I just pencil it in as I go then update the excel file at the end of the week.) You can Click here to download my workbox planning sheet.
The Setup: Here is how our boxes are setup, they are the same for each child. The benefit for the child here is that they can see exactly what is expected of them for the day. They can see how much they’ve actually completed, how much they have left, and they know exactly when they are done with work. Its really taken away all the whining we had last year about ‘how much left’, ‘when are we done’ etc. And that was just me! LOL!
In Action: Each box gets 1 subject in it, and everything needed to complete that project. If its cutting/pasting, include scissors and glue. Pencils, markers, dry-erase markers, erasers, whatever is needed so kids aren’t running around wasting time searching for things! I put a snack in our boxes about half way down just to help with motivation, and usually some thing crafty or fun in the last one. Here are a couple samples of boxes:
They work their boxes in order, no exceptions! (Well, except for my 3 year old, I allow her to pick whatever she feels like doing at the time.) As they work, my kids pull off the number on the box and stick it to the grid pasted on the wall next to their desk. This indicates that box is finished. (Sue Patrick does this part differently, but it wasn’t working for us, so we do it this way.) Any completed work gets turned in on top of the cart. When they get to a card that’s already on their strip, they can take that action, like here you see after 3 boxes she gets a potty break. They rarely take this, but it was an issue last year so I put it on and every now and then I’ll see them take a break. Since I can’t fit a science center, or art project in a box, I put it on this grid, when they get to that card they go to that center. The 3 help buttons on the bottom are for if they need help on a box that doesn’t have a work with mom card. I haven’t really even used these, they just raise their hands if they need help, but they’re in the download if you need them. You can click here to download my schedule strip, numbers, and subject cards. I also made blank number cards so you can add in your own images/theme: Download Blank Number Cards Here.
If there is a box that I know they need help on, or that requires my ‘teaching’ then I put a ‘work with mom’ sticker on it. They know to ask me when they get there. I also try to stagger the ‘work with mom’ boxes between kids so they don’t all need my help at once.
My numbers are just plain because I print them out on colored cardstock, but you can search for workbox numbers on google and find some fun ones! I found these cool designs today at Boys, School and Fun!
We used to pull the drawers all the way out and stack the completed ones on the floor (my son really liked seeing his work disappear from the cart), but once the baby started getting into them, we moved to just taking off the numbers and putting them on the grid on the wall. Again, here’s a big picture of what the setup looks like, and why we don’t put boxes on the floor anymore.
We start our day with Group Time, which includes Prayer, Bible Study, Pledge, Alphabet songs, Days of week, Months of year, and Calendar time. Then we do Poems, and the Science reading together. After all that we move on to our boxes! You can read more about our daily schedule here.
So that’s it, we LOVE LOVE LOVE our boxes, its like Christmas morning everyday for the kids as they run in and look through boxes to see what they have. I don’t have anymore complaining about ‘how much more’ nor do we have “what do I do next mom?” and me saying “Hold on a minute while I finish with your sister”! I really think its made our days smoother and seems to help keep me organized, as well as let the kids know what is expected of them for the day, what they have left, and when they are done. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND using boxes or some sort of system like this. I have seen people with older kids use file folders instead of boxes, you can google on sue patrick workboxes and get TONS of information and blogs with ideas! There is also a Yahoo Workbox group where people share downloads, ideas, help etc.
Please don’t look at this and be overwhelmed, the planning is truly worth the effort and you can adjust the system to make it work for your family as well!
I hope you found this post helpful! Feel free to let me know if you have any questions!
My Workbox Downloads:
- My Schedule Strip, Subject Cards and Number Cards
- Blank Workbox Numbers (with space for you to add your own images)
- Workbox Planning Worksheet
- I Spy Game Card
- Spanish Card
- JumpStart Card
What is included in your Daily Learning Notebook? I looked over your site to see what it covers but could not find it.
I have been reading all over your blog the past few days 🙂 Love the ideas you have! My 3 yr old loves doing ‘school’ and I am trying to pull things together to do pre-school with her and I feel flooded with information! This box system is such a great idea to keep things organized for the day, you mentioned that you do this for your 3 year old as well. Do you fill all 10 drawers? We are doing letter of the week with memory verses, sight words and math. (perhaps I should get in touch with some other HS moms to soak up some knowledge!) 🙂
Katelen.
Hi! I just found this blog while search for ideas on blogging. Even tho I no longer have little kids at home, I am an Avon representative and Team leader. This WorkBox idea would work GREAT for me to use to keep me focused on the tasks I need to accomplish in a day. I may need to tweek it a little for me. For instance .. . I don’t have room for one of those carts in my home office, but I could use a tickler file system. Let’s say I have 10 tasks to do a day. I could use 10 file folders. As I complete each folder, I move it to the back. When I get back to folder #1, I’m done for the day. BRILLIANT!!! Now to prioritize my tasks. LOL!!! Thank you for sharing such an awesome idea!
Thank you for all the writing and hard work you put into this site! It has been such a breath of fresh air for me to read as I prepare to homeschool my little boys (ages 3 and 1). While I have started a little bit with my 3-year-old, it’s been difficult since I work full time as a nurse and my husband is a stay-at-home daddy. This is the first time I have heard about the workbox system and think it will be great for us, especially on days when I am at work (can help structure the day for the boys AND Daddy!). I would just like to gently encourage everyone to be conscientious of the growing number of families with Momma working full time and Daddy staying at home. It almost breaks my heart to hear of so many women who get to stay home with their kiddos and teach/organize/structure their days to their hearts contents. It’s selfish and silly jealousy in me and I am humbly reminded that God has still blessed us incredibly with my schedule (I only work 3 days a week) and being able to be a 1-income family. There’s not a lot in cyberspace written towards helping Daddies with homeschooling…or even written towards women and how they can encourage Daddies in homeschooling! I think Daddys need just as much (if not more!!) help in homeschooling our kiddos than we Mommas do!
Love your blog! Workboxes have totally transformed our little school! It is so much easier juggling more than one grade and it really keeps my kids from dragging their feet because they are so busy working their way through their boxes and seeing their progress on their charts! I just started a new blog (about homeschooling, sewing projects, cooking etc…) and I’ve blogged about how we implement the workbox system (with a link back here, of course!). We added timers which I explain in my post: http://brennasbeesknees.blogspot.com/2013/10/workbox-system.html For my boys the combo of workboxes & timers is JUST what they needed.
My husband also does school with our boys while I have to work most days right now so this also helps him to know what to do when and for about how long. Thanks SO much for the inspiration!
Hi, we love you here over at The Dyslexic Homeschooler. I have a little different system for the Workbox’s. I was just wondering though, how long it takes you to set up for each morning and what you do if there are interruptions for the day etc. Would love your thoughts (or even a guest post ;D)
Love,
Melanie
So the work boxes are filled to work on for one day only. You fill them with the next days work each night, according to your spreadsheet you planned with at the end of the week. Is that correct? By the way…..I’m LOVING all this info! I’m like you in so many ways, (love schedules, routines, organizations) and I am so thankful not to have to invent all these procedures etc! THANK you!!
I know this is an old post, but I just happened upon it while preparing for the next homeschooling year. How old were your children when you used this system and do you still use it? Thank you.
Hey Girl! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your blog! I also have four munchkins! (all boys!?!) We have used the workbox system in the past and loved it but our boxes were taking up too much room! Where did you get your carts with the boxes? I looked everywhere for something like that and couldn’t find one. Thanks!
I’m considering this system for my daughter (and son– although, right now, only going to be homeschooling my daughter since she’s been having an extremely difficult time in public school). She’s going into 2nd grade, but very very immature and possibly on the Autistic spectrum (high functioning); needs lots and lots of reassurance and rewards. Pretty sure she won’t be able to work independently yet on harder things. This will be our first year homeschooling her. She does love to trace and copy spelling words on her own. And color pages. So I can see her doing that. Possibly a simple math worksheet (she likes math).
My 1st question is: do others out there have experience using this system with a child who is extremely dependent on help and individual attention?
Now a 2nd question that I would love thoughts on…
I also have a son going to 4th grade. Both my kids have diagnosed ADHD. My daughter’s issues make this much worse for her… so much so that she was becoming extremely disruptive in public school. My son, on the other hand actually passed the national standardized testing this year for 3rd grade– given being tested in his special ed classroom and given extended time to take the test and some portions read to him. He attends mainstream science and social studies. His grades are A’s and B’s and always a C in math. He’s excited he will get to take Chorus this year instead of just “music”. However, he’s still behind. Math skills are atrocious. My husband and I pull our hair out every day doing homework with him. Homework is not individualized enough for him. Even though he’s in a special education class and has an IEP. Midway thru this year I asked his teacher to change his IEP to reflect that we would like him to have from Monday to the next Monday to complete and turn in his math homework (rather than from Monday to Friday—turn in day being Friday). The teacher actually paused and stared at me when I said this. Then said, “This would change the whole way I teach”. !!!!!! “And??” I wanted to say, but didn’t. The school administrator was present and agreed with me; so it was allowed.
My son is a follower, not a leader at school. So a few times a year we get notices from teachers that he’s mimicking boys in class that are disruptive. We’ve also noticed slang coming out of his mouth that he could’ve only picked up from school—and he usually has no idea what he’s saying. He has developed a habit of belching without covering his mouth; which we are sure he got from school, also.
In general, he’s very easy to deal with… it’s just the homework. I’m concerned that I’ll be so worn out dealing with my daughter’s homeschooling and other issues that I might not have the energy to deal with his homework issues. But homeschooling both of them at the outset seems like a suicide mission. (never homeschooled before)
I’ve looked all over the internet trying to find blogs about families with 2 children and only 1 child is homeschooled. Anyone have any suggestions where I might look?
Thanks.
I think you’ll find that teaching both of them at home isn’t quite as challenging as you think it will be. Especially because you’ll be removing a lot of the distractions that they have in public school. So attitudes will change as well once they’re at home. You can also tailor his educational needs better to fit him, and not what the school will allow for which will probably help with the troubles you’re having right now with his homework.
Honestly I would encourage you to think about pulling them both out and doing it at home if it’s a possibility for your family. Homeschooling has a lot of benefits and flexibility for not only your kids, but you as well. Leaving one child in public school and pulling the other home will come with its own set of challenges too. You’ll be having to get one off in the morning who probably won’t want to go now. Plus you’ll still be dealing with all of the social issues/behavior that he’ll bring home with him.
I do have a chapter on homeschooling special needs in my book that might help out. http://tinyurl.com/a38obj4