Sometimes rearranging refreshes learning. Sometimes a quick homeschool makeover also helps remedy the seasonal blahs. Me? I like to rearrange furniture. Especially in the dead of winter. But this idea took me a while. It took giving myself permission.
A Quick Homeschool Makeover
See, I thought a mantel was supposed to look a certain way. A touch of formality. But when the library books for our studies overflowed the library cubby – there was the mantel, right above.
I gave myself permission to use the family room mantel to feature our current reading. Why not? It’s right there in the middle of everything. And it’s pretty besides. A sampling of summer reading, in the photo above.
My mother, chief bookcase and mantel arranger, showed me how to make the stacks look pretty. The children and I pulled the unused letter blocks and spelled out the seasons.
Adding Books To Your Mantle
The mantel – it’s right there! We can SEE what we are reading. It’s a visual of what we are studying. With the side benefit of less library books lost, less fines. Plus, I consider books a work of art. Speaking of art…
Maybe you don’t have a mantel but you’d like to dress up your learning area. You might need some large artwork (like the flag over our fireplace). Why not ask the children to don smocks and create a masterpiece? That large flag picture was one my older three children painted together years ago. One painted the stripes. One the blue, one the stars – with glitter added, of course. And it’s only tempura paint on a torn sheet of newsprint paper. We entered it in the fair and it won 1st place.
The verse on the mantle is a stencil. You can decide to put the verse over your kitchen table or other primary learning spot.
All this to encourage you to use what you have. Make the most of your space. Maximize the learning. Spend less money. Enjoy!
Additional Resources For Organizing Your Homeschool Space
It’s a continuation of the Hodgepodge homeschool makeover series.
- Simple habits and ideas for your homeschool schedule
- 5 reasons to have a reading week!
- Top 10 Clutter Busting Secrets
- Helpful Homeschool Habits for Multiple Ages
- Top 10 Organizational Helps for Homeschool
February 2012
I think it is a beautiful, lovely way of keeping your books, but then I love the look of lots and lots of books. The inscription and the lovely picture add to the look beautifully.
Me too Phyllis! I think the covers of books are works of art too. This sort of arrangement brings me great joy.
Oh fabulous! Now if only I could get myself a mantle…
love this idea. i always struggle to balance my desire for things to look just so…you know, decorated a certain way as you mentioned while having our necessary school items easily accessible. and we love books…might be a good solution once our christmas stockings are put away!
love the flag as well. one of your children’s creations, no doubt?!