Workboxes - binder style

[mom2agang]

I love the idea of the workboxes. But does anyone do them as binders insted of boxes? Do you set them up the same?

[nukeswife]

I did this for a while. I just bought These and then the kids would work through them just like you would workboxes. If I wanted to add something fun like a game or a snack, I made pages on the computer with a picture of it that said "Play Wii for 30 minutes", "Pick a Board game to play for 30 minutes" or "Have a Snack" etc and then laminated them and would put them in some of the binder pockets.

 

I never used the numbers or the other type of tags you stick on the workboxes because my kids would just work from the first pocket to the last and skip any they needed help on and I have little flip cards they can put up if they need help and I'd make my way around to who needed me as it came up.

 

We stopped because they use so many things that I have to present first but I still have the binders and pockets just in case we want to go back to that at some point.

[PentecostalMom]

I did workboxes before I knew they were workboxes, but a little different. I bought several of those black plastic holders that magazines are stored in, and put all items for each particular subject in a separate one on our bookshelf. They were all on the bottom shelf, flush left. As ds completed each subject, he moved it flush right, then we both knew he was done. If there was something he needed help with when I was unavailable, he would turn the entire container around backwards. Depending on what curriculum we were using, it was either self-paced (such as ACE, which we used when dh was in Iraq and I was so sick preggo I could not move from the sofa) or it come with lesson plans that he followed (such as Notgrass). Some things, such as Notgrass, required a little more space on our bookshelf, but we just put the needed books directly above the shelf with the plastic holders. They are made in different sizes, and some naturally had to be larger than others to hold the material.

 

I am actually using them right now with my K'er, but of course I sit with her and do everything. They are not so much organized by subject at this age, but moreso what we are currently using and what comes next. They are sitting on top of a much smaller bookshelf and the two shelves hold our literature, math manipulatives, and anything else we are using for K.

 

I do love the idea of workboxes with the big drawers on wheels, but right now I have a 14-month-old that takes everything out of the cabinets, so I can only imagine the mess she would make! Maybe later! :001_smile:

[GaHadley]

I don't do this workbox style, but I think it could be easily suited for workboxes. . .

 

Here's what I do now: I have a 3 prong folder with page protectors in it. The first page has a printed copy of our current FLL poem, then the next pages I have written the days of the week. So, in the Monday pocket is everything she has to do for Monday. I have an assignment sheet in the front pocket as well listing things she does, we do together, her chores, etc.

 

To do it workbox style, you could use however many page protectors as you would do boxes, and put one assignment per page. Also, if you wanted to plan ahead, you could have 5 folders, each one with 12 pockets so you could fill them all up at once for the week (that's sounding like a pretty good idea for my younger dd next year. . . )

[min]

Well, this is still hypothetical, so bear with me!!! We're planning a period of "carschooling" for an upcoming, long, trip.

 

I've purchased files with zippers around them - one per child. The intention is to put a week's worth of work in them and have them work through them as they can. There will be pages of Cozy Grammar, mental math, etc, and then a list of other stuff for them to tick off as they go. That will be things like educational apps on the iPods like spelling lists (pre-made by me), musical interval training etc, educational DVDs etc. I will still need to do some work with them, like presenting the AAS lesson for the week, but I'm hopeful working in this way will make the most of our time.

 

Min

[kathkath]

I bind the week's paper work in a book with my coil binder. Not everything goes in there but it stays together and is very portable.