This year we have the following grades - first, fifth, seventh, ninth and eleventh.
To start I first have to pull apart and go through all of the materials that we currently have and organize and purge them.
My father scooped up this wonderful wooden unit for us that was left on the side of the road for the taking in Massachusetts and brought it up with him on his last visit.
(all of these pictures were taken before I tackled this...)
This will be the main storage unit for each of the children's core materials with each child having a shelf.
While going through everything, I moved this big white shelf upstairs and this shelf from the living room to the upstairs hallway as well.
Now the upstairs hall is our "library". The large white shelf is for the nonfiction books and I have arranged them by history, poetry, arts/crafts/music, and science. One shelf is picture books and the third is fiction with one shelf for my reference books (spiritual/homeschooling/homemaking).
This is the start and now I am seeking and praying for guidance as I plan their course of studies over the next two weeks.
Warm wishes, Tonya
Thinking of you as you prepare! The side-of-the-road cupboard is awesome!
ReplyDeleteYou are the most organized person! I love what you are doing for your kids and I am truly inspired. I hope you can share what your plans are; I would love to hear more about their leearning experiences. My kids go to public school for a variety of reasons, but we do a heap of supplementing and teaching at home.
ReplyDeleteOn another topic, somebody left that cupboard on the side of the road??!! I am glad they didn't put it in a landfill. What a lucky find! I love that your dad picked it up for you too!
Now I am off to organize fall clothes for my kiddos.
Wow! Side-of-the-road??? A Beautiful cupboard!!
ReplyDeleteWe started back to school this week...I have a 8th grader and a 11th grader. I am sure I am like you I just pass down my older daughters books to my younger daughter. It is hard keeping all the books together until their time for use. I love the bookcases!!
ReplyDeleteRenee
We are busy with grades 3, 5 and 7 at the moment. Enjoy your planning:) I love the cupboard.
ReplyDeletexo
Linda
First of all~ lovely cupboard- what a lucky find!!!
ReplyDeleteSecondly~ I was just thinking how hard it is to be finding a balance with four children, and was thinking about the upcoming home school year (we'll have first grade and fourth grade)- and then I came here and read about you and all you do: you are so amazing and wonderful, Tonya!
Looks great! I just did the same thing at my place- and blogged about it this morning! My third grader has just started his lessons yesterday and my 4 year old is enjoying all the new art supplies we have around. It's a fun time of year to be a homeschooler!
ReplyDeleteHello, I just stumbled upon your blog a few days ago and have been really enjoying it. I have a 4 year old boy and a almost 1 year old boy. We're definitely hitting the home education stage and I appreciate all you have to share on the subject. It is quite fun to be finding materials and getting organized. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletesomeone left that on the side of the road?! what a score! so nice of him to bring it to you.
ReplyDeleteyou are an incredible mama! that is much to prepare for and organize. ;)
I enjoy reading of your preparing Tonya, I know how much it means to you to have time for this.
ReplyDeleteI think of you often and wish you well with your homeschool year!
Wow...good for you! Wishing you all the best..I am a teacher and know how hard it would be to teach all those grades. xoxoo
ReplyDeleteWe started school back last week with one child. I can imagine the planning that goes in to teaching 4 children. Would love to hear your plans for each when you have it ready.
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Diane
busy times .. love & care to you all x
ReplyDeletewow! we will be starting a very loose and laid back kindergarten year with our oldest this year and sometimes when i think of what is to come it overwhelms me:) but i try to take it one day at a time. i love to see how other families *do* their schooling. good luck and keep sharing your tips:) i am also loving your posts on a handmade holiday...ideas for the husband and a father or father in law...keep 'em coming:) xo, pennie
ReplyDeleteOkay, that roadside find is AMAZING! We've got grades 2, 6, and 8 coming up. And I've been staring at our shelves in dismay. Your organization is inspirational.
ReplyDeleteI am so very impressed. Homeschooling 5 children takes organization and dedication, both of which you possess. Kudos to you.
ReplyDeleteNicola
I know you have read Suzanne's post on home schooling, haven't you?? It came just in time for me!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great side-of-the-road find! My little one is just 3-1/2, but my husband and I have made the decision to homeschool. Right now I'm in the research/planning/freaking out stages. I have a big organization problem which I realize I'll need to get under control before we tackle school at home. Kudos to you!
ReplyDeleteI've been planning in my head what to do with our k, 9th, and 11th graders this year in my head. gotta dig out books put away in the attic, and set up their schedules with them. Once dh and I figure out what our proposed goals for the next 6 months or so for the boys will be, we will take them out one at a time and talk to them to see what they think their goals should be - they are supposed to be thinking about this now too. Over dinner we will discuss with them what their plan will be and how to achieve it. What resources do we need to get for them, where they can get the information, a basic schedule with a timeline and goals, etc. Later we will tweak all of this with them,again individually, as life goes on.
ReplyDeleteIt feels so good to get organized. I don't homeschool, but I try to keep books and materials organized for my children at home. My sister homeschools her 5 children. They used to do all their work around the dining table. Now, she has moved to a new house with a large finished room in the walkout basement. She is in heaven - as she can now keep everything much more orderly.
ReplyDeleteWOW! over that amazing roadside find!
ReplyDeleteand
WOW! over homeschooling those different grades!
I've been playing with the idea of homeschooling my middle son and I am truly inspired by your organization and dedication.
How inspiring! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI am begining homeschooling this year for the firs time! 4 th grade!
im excited, andvery nervous, taking all your info in!
could you post some finished project with cross stiching and embroidery? wondering what I will do and need some good simple ideas for projects! thanks in advance.