Our workbox drawers have been slid out.....

After following the blog at Confessions of a Homeschooler for several months now, I joined a Yahoo Workbox group.  We had tried a simple system of the Workbox system with just basic numbered folders in a tub, but the books just were not working well in the file folder boxes.  Since each of the boys math textbooks are $40 a piece without shipping, I want them to last the year and not fall apart.

If you are not familar with this form of homeschooling, it is an organization system that helps students see exactly when and what they need to complete.  It shows them a start and finish.  It helps to simplify the curriculum that you already are using.  Here's the link to Sue Patrick's website:  http://workboxsystem.com/.  She started the system for her son with special needs, and it worked wonders for him.  When I make sure to use it, I have fewer issues with Brayden getting his school work done. 

I searched several area stores, in order to avoid shipping charges, but finally had to order these boxes from JoAnn Fabric online.  They were on sale!!!  And I surfed around the web and found a coupon for free shipping and I was able to get an extra $10.00 off one set of drawers.  So I decided to take the plunge and order 3 sets.  I will wait to see about getting Caty a set, but will most likely be ordering a set for her in the next few months.  She has daily activities that we do for her therapy, so she will really like having her own set. 

Our school area is now bursting at the seams!!!  But here's what our drawers look like set up.  So far we have loved this new system.

Here's Joey's set.  He chose the black set.  I spent last weekend creating the box numbers with favorite Pokemon characters.  Laminated and cut them out.  I do need better velcro though.  I only had one pack and was trying to conserve.  Hey we live in the middle of a corn field.  It's a drive to get anything :(.

Here's Lydia's drawers: 

I made her box numbers a mixture of Disney Princess,  Barbie and I have extras made that have some Bratz characters also.

Brayden also chose the rainbow drawer set.  He also wanted Pokemon drawer numbers.

As each drawer is finished, they move the drawer number to the strips that are attached.  They can visualize how much more work they need to complete then.  I will probably make subject cards also.  But decided to wait and see if these would be needed.  I got all these great ideas from not only Confessions of a Homeschooler  but also another workboxer at Heart of Wisdom.  The latter blog has several free printables if you just want to print and use.  I opted to customize each kids box to make them that must more excited about what their school work.  Heart of Wisdom has really cute subject cards that I will print and laminate if needed. 

I haven't moved them to a full velcro schedule yet.  That is another future project.  I just created a quick schedule for each child to help remind them what needs to be done each day.  Brayden loves picture schedules and views it as a race to get everything done.  The three older children each have a similar daily schedule.  I laminated them so that they can use a dry-erase marker to check off each completed task.  We are also working on a coin system.  That system is to remind them of things they need to work on.  They may get coins for making eye contact, controlling their voice volume, not screaching (and I mean screaching..that is something Brayden does) and not wandering away when shopping.  They can turn them in at the end of the day or week (depending on how many they have earned) to purchase extra privileges or even prizes from our little prize store.  Joey has leaned toward not having to eat what everyone else does at supper, and of course both boys want to purchase extra video game time!!  We'll wait and see how it works!!

We had a pretty basic week last week, so nothing extra.  We reviewed math and english skills since we only had two days, and I extended South Korea over for a couple days instead of starting a new country.  Next week I will post some of the things we put in our workboxes.