Now friends, this tip is one that was just right there in front of my face. The homeschool extras within sight. A couple of years ago, when trying to find an answer for the overflowing library book basket, I looked up and spied the mantel. I thought, why not? I set aside the usual thoughts of what a mantel was ‘supposed’ to look. And I arranged those homeschool books right there. Right within sight. Made practical use of the central focus of the family room.
The Homeschool Extras Within Sight
Guess what? I’ve found we get much more homeschooling done in a day simply because we can see the books. Because the resources are within easy reach. We fit that extra learning into our day.
But that’s not all. We have books on the end tables. They prop the lamps.
Even the extra books that are for pure pleasure – not really part of any curriculum – are stacked where my daughter can see them.
This is a bit of a passion for me. It’s an ongoing homeschool makeover to meet the needs of our homeschool, our children. I share all this so you might take one thing for inspiration. One rearrangement that might work. Just remember that all of this was done over several years.
- Bible Basket – right in the middle of the family room table
- The Word Within Sight – on the walls on the doorposts of the house
- History Shelf – IKEA bookshelf makes it handy for history books, lapbooks and more
- Most Used Bookshelf – right beside the kitchen table where we can reach the extras
- School Books on the Mantel – the verse on the mantel, spelling with blocks, the seasons, art display
- Chalkboard Desk – handy for math problems and toy cars
- Maps as Window Treatments – Geography within Sight
- Organization for Kinesthetic Learner – 5th Grade – pulling together the crafts and workboxes
- Preschool to 1st grade Organization – a little bench, desks and a spot for mama!
More of the resources will will enjoy the rest of this school year, pictured above. This magazine rack sits right above our family room couch. The rack houses the newest choice for our science unit from Answers in Genesis, our planners, Science Roots…all those extras we want to fit in our day!
And by the back door – where we can see it – the handy Outdoor Hour Challenges nature grid I printed. We might pick one thing to pay special attention to while we are outside.
One bonus for your little chefs. Sometimes it’s hard to fit in some baking time. The Cook Box helps with that. All the ingredients within sight. Need a side item for supper, maybe even dessert? It’s easy for an older child to whip up an accompaniment. Or for a little one to stir and stir and be mom’s helper.
There’s a lot to this homeschooling life, isn’t there? I’ve found that keeping things within sight – in an organization sort of manner, sure helps this mama.
January is the perfect time to soak up some homeschool encouragement. Hop on over and check out all the topics by the ladies of iHomeschool Network – January 2013 Hopscotch.
- Day 1: How to Fit in All the Homeschool Extras: What are the Extras?
- Day 2: How to Fit in All the Homeschool Extras with Unit Studies
- Day 3: How to Fit in All the Homeschool Extras: Time Management
- Day 4: The Homeschool Extras Within Sight
~Subscribe to Hodgepodge for more homeschool help!
Is there a way you organize or display your homeschool supplies so they will be used more often?
Hi Tricia,
Thank you so much for your blog. I always find wonderful tips to implement into our homeschool days. I was wondering if you have a link to the Outdoor Hour nature study grid? I love the idea of putting it on the fridge for easy access. Thanks so much!
Hi Ellen – thanks so much for your sweet comment! To print out that Outdoor Hour grid you just need to hop over to Handbook of Nature Study and subscribe to Barb-Harmony Art Mom’ site. She publishes a monthly newsletter that is free to subscribers. The grid pictured above is part of the January newsletter. Enjoy! Instructions on subscribing are in the right hand sidebar: http://www.handbookofnaturestudy.blogspot.com/
Thank you!
We do the same thing…we just call it strewing. It is a delightful reminded of the benefits of it. Thank you.
Phyllis! We DO enjoy so many of the same thing, the same methods. You are such an inspiration to me!
This is a great series Tricia. Love seeing all your ideas in one place.
Oooh, some great ideas here (as always) – thanks so much!
Oh, you know how I long to have things “within sight” in my home. I am adding things little by little…one day I will have a mantle full of books and a bulletin board instead of a plain wall. Thank you for the encouragement and all of the fabulous ideas!
I’ve read several of your posts about having materials easily accessible. My plan for tomorrow is to declutter in one tiny area (for now) and replacing it with art instruction books and simple supplies (usborne, i can draw, and other child friendly instructional books). Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement to make our entire home our classroom!
I love your approach – a plan for one tiny area!! So very smart. Because we can easily get overwhelmed with trying to make it ‘just so’ and then get bogged down. Your art area sounds so joyful!
Did I already ask where you got that magazine/book rack? I’m looking for one like it!
Jamie – it’s a Pottery Barn Kids magazine rack. Nana got it for us on sale. I believe this is the one: http://www.potterybarnkids.com/search/results.html?words=catalina%20magazine%20rack