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Home » Blog » The Homeschool Extras Within Sight

in Helpful Habits· HomeSchooling

The Homeschool Extras Within Sight

The Homeschool Extras Within Sight at Hodgepodge

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.

Extras on End Tables

But that’s not all. We have books on the end tables. They prop the lamps.

American Girl books

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

IMG_4029

  • 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!

Pottery Barn Magazine Rack

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!

OHC nature study grid

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.

Cook Box

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.

Hopscotch-with-iHN-January-2013

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?

Related

Filed Under: Helpful Habits, HomeSchooling Tagged With: homeschool makeover, how to fit in all the homeschool extras

About Hodgepodgemom

Tricia faces a daily dose of chaos homeschooling five children. The biggest lesson she’s learned? At the end of the day – when the dishes are put away and the children are tucked in bed – truly what matters is each child’s relationship with the Lord. Raising children is a God-given privilege and, folks, the time is short.

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Comments

  1. Ellen Graves says

    January 17, 2013 at 8:29 AM

    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!

    Reply
    • Hodgepodgemom says

      January 17, 2013 at 8:40 AM

      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/

      Reply
      • Ellen Graves says

        January 17, 2013 at 8:42 AM

        Thank you!

        Reply
  2. All Things Beautiful says

    January 17, 2013 at 8:43 AM

    We do the same thing…we just call it strewing. It is a delightful reminded of the benefits of it. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Hodgepodgemom says

      January 17, 2013 at 9:49 AM

      Phyllis! We DO enjoy so many of the same thing, the same methods. You are such an inspiration to me!

      Reply
  3. Barb-Harmony Art Mom says

    January 17, 2013 at 11:55 AM

    This is a great series Tricia. Love seeing all your ideas in one place.

    Reply
  4. Daniele @ Domestic Serenity says

    January 18, 2013 at 12:59 AM

    Oooh, some great ideas here (as always) – thanks so much!

    Reply
  5. Heidi says

    January 19, 2013 at 10:53 PM

    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!

    Reply
  6. kiley says

    January 28, 2013 at 5:34 PM

    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!

    Reply
    • Hodgepodgemom says

      January 28, 2013 at 10:57 PM

      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!

      Reply
  7. Jamie says

    February 5, 2013 at 5:37 PM

    Did I already ask where you got that magazine/book rack? I’m looking for one like it!

    Reply
    • Hodgepodgemom says

      February 5, 2013 at 6:24 PM

      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

      Reply

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