Cindy in C-ville Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 Once we get to Raleigh, I'll be setting up shop and want to get our return to homeschool off on the right foot. I'm particularly interested in those things that you do that help your middle school and high school students take responsibility for their own work. Do you use crates, folders, baskets, etc.? Do they set their own schedule, calendar? What do you do about lost books? (Two of mine are continually losing their books. Looking at my kids, any guesses which two?) I'm energized and SO thankful to be able to bring them back home! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyfaithe Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 :bigear: me too....I love organizational advice and can never learn too much. Faithe :lurk5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 We started a workbox plan with a set of plastic drawers on wheels when ds was about 13. He really likes it. I also have kept a bookshelf, in the kitchen, with current materials, books and references complete with a globe and scale on top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy in C-ville Posted May 14, 2011 Author Share Posted May 14, 2011 We started a workbox plan with a set of plastic drawers on wheels when ds was about 13. He really likes it. I also have kept a bookshelf, in the kitchen, with current materials, books and references complete with a globe and scale on top. I know the workboxes have been discussed pretty extensively, so I don't want to recreate the wheel. Do you have a good link that explains it? I think when you all started talking about this I was thick in my adoption bubble and couldn't even think about it. I'm ready to think now! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaMa2005 Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 Desk Apprentice from Staples. One per child. EVERYTHING for school goes in it. Portable and plenty of room for all the needed supplies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giraffe Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 O.M.G. how have I never seen the Desk Apprentice before?!?! :drool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usetoschool Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 Desk Apprentice from Staples. One per child. EVERYTHING for school goes in it. Portable and plenty of room for all the needed supplies. :iagree: Love my Desk Apprentice. We have daily folders in the center so I have two weeks worth of work at hand at all times. When we finish a day I put the folder at the back and start filling it with the worksheets and to do lists. I use Homeschool Tracker + to organize the lessons and to do lists. If I get much further than two weeks out there is too much potential for having to reschedule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 I know the workboxes have been discussed pretty extensively, so I don't want to recreate the wheel. Do you have a good link that explains it? I think when you all started talking about this I was thick in my adoption bubble and couldn't even think about it. I'm ready to think now! :) Everyone seems to work it out a little differently. For the older kids it's almost just a place to keep together the things needed for each subject. Younger kids you can leave the days work in each box, maybe a fun something that relates or a sticker or prize for the end of the subject. Or a math sheet instead of a whole book. It all ends up organized for the day or week. In with the math book can be the calculator and other math tools/ pencils/etc. A coloring page can be in the the history book. I rambling. Ask more questions and we'll answer the specifics. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnbacademy Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 We do workboxes as work-folders which takes less room. I printed out 12 cards, numbered 1-12, attach 1 card to each folder via Velcro, and place pages pulled from workbooks into appropriately labeled hanging folder. When that subject has been completed, the dc move the number to the grid on the outside of the hanging folder bin. We have dropped the prize/reward plan for the benefit of getting done with school earlier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy in C-ville Posted May 15, 2011 Author Share Posted May 15, 2011 Workboxes, Desk Apprentice ... other "must-haves" or "must-dos"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 O.M.G. how have I never seen the Desk Apprentice before?!?! :drool: Me too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartlandsahm Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 Me too! Thanks for posting about this item. I think I "heard" about a great tool, and this IS it, but could never remember the name of it nor where it was sold, and I had never seen one! AWESOME! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virg Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 I am SOOO buying the Desk Apprentice! I love it! We started doing the filing system rather than workboxes this year and I love it! We are using pee-chees rather than hanging files though. I have the pee chees labeled Day 1-Day 5. One side's pocket is individual work and one side is labeled class work. They love the fact that they have access to their individual work at the beginning of the day and usually have it finished before "school time." I have been using 2 magazine boxes each. One I store the 4 days of pee-chees we are not on and any books or notebooks we don't need that day. The other magazine box has the books/textbooks they need that day along with that day's pee-chee. Although now I want to use the Desk Apprentice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalicoKat Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 Everyone seems to work it out a little differently. For the older kids it's almost just a place to keep together the things needed for each subject. Younger kids you can leave the days work in each box, maybe a fun something that relates or a sticker or prize for the end of the subject. Or a math sheet instead of a whole book. It all ends up organized for the day or week. In with the math book can be the calculator and other math tools/ pencils/etc. A coloring page can be in the the history book. I rambling. Ask more questions and we'll answer the specifics. :) :iagree: This is how our workboxes function right now. It's super great for my ADHD dd who looses everything constantly. Initially we had to tie consequences to her not putting a pencil & subject back in labeled workbox. When I pack to move my plan is to load each kid's set of workboxes in advance, pack it (all the plastic set of drawers) whole in a big box with colored coded duck tape. Arrival at the new place would be 5 boxes for the schoolroom, remove the cardboard and voila, instant school! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartlandsahm Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 (edited) Does anyone know if there is ever a "sale" for the Desk Apprentice? Don't need it yet, but am wondering if I should be waiting? Thanks! Edited May 15, 2011 by heartlandsahm typo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marylou Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 http://www.bradsdeals.com/stores/staples-coupons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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