WishboneDawn Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 (edited) Just thought I'd post how I organize the kids work and school stuff. I haven't seen a similar style here before. I've been meaning to mention it for quite awhile thinking it might be helpful to others but never got around to it. I finally spilled the beans in another thread and a few people found it helpful so here are some pics and the description from the other thread for those interested. I use wire dish racks for the current work. I can stand their books up in in the part meant for the dishes and stick their pencils, erasers, rulers, etc. in the utensils bucket. I picked up a couple of old, cheap nightstands at a yard sale and put the dish racks on top of those. The nightstand drawer holds stuff like math sets, tape, flash cards, etc. and the bottom shelf holds stuff I plan to use during the next 6 months or year or recently completed stuff (oh, and the Big Box of Colours). It's all in our dining room. I couldn't make a school room work so this is my mini school room. The only other thing I use are those fold out cardboard presentation thingees for science fairs. The kids each have one and they're just to create cubicles at the dining room table so they won't be distracted and so they have a space to hang reminders like vocab sheets or something so I can keep the walls clear. I'm hopeless with organization so this makes it look somewhat organized, forces me to keep everything culled and compact and gives me what I need within reach of the table. Total cost was somewhere around $30 over the years for the racks and the used nightstands. ETA: I started using the racks for picture books when my kids were small. I think I read about that idea on a preschool site or something. The kids could flip through the book without making a big mess. Edited June 21, 2011 by WishboneDawn style Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arghmatey Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Love the dish drying racks! Cute idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TX Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 That is genius! I love the idea of using dish drainers to hold schoolwork. I have ours on a shelf but it is difficult to get out and put away. Most everything is paperback and spiral bound and just doesn't want to stay upright on the shelf. Susan in TX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlmom Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 That is such a fabulous idea. I've been looking for something cheap and effective, and I think this is it! Thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5wolfcubs Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 Very cool! Thanks for sharing, especially the pictures. I've been wishing for those Staples Desk Apprentices but the cost so each kid could have one is just too high. I could afford dish racks! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted June 22, 2011 Author Share Posted June 22, 2011 Very cool! Thanks for sharing, especially the pictures. I've been wishing for those Staples Desk Apprentices but the cost so each kid could have one is just too high. I could afford dish racks! :001_smile: I've been lusting after the Desk Apprentices too until I realized there's nothing they would do for me that my setup can't. I think the racks were about $5-10 each? Not sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwickimom Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 LOVE it. I am soo gonna go dishrack shopping asap. thank you for sharing! I was stacking my books on a bookshelf, btu I hate how the workbooks dont stand up straight. This is just perfect! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frontier Mom Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 Now that is clever!! I use one for all my plastic lids but didn't think of it for books. Awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 Ack! That is flipping brilliant! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aubrey Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 Oh. my. gosh. :svengo: BRILLIANT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 I do something similar. I use dishpans instead of dishracks. I also got the idea from when they were toddlers as a way to organize boardbooks :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wyndie Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 That is just awesome! Thanks for sharing. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted June 22, 2011 Author Share Posted June 22, 2011 This is too funny. You know it's a homeschooling board when people get excited over sticking books in a dish rack. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted June 22, 2011 Author Share Posted June 22, 2011 I do something similar. I use dishpans instead of dishracks. I also got the idea from when they were toddlers as a way to organize boardbooks :lol: Great minds...:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southcarolinamom Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 That's awesome! I've been using those plastic divider thingies from Office Depot, with all the slots, but a dish rack is sooo much sturdier. Genius! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntPol Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 I love the idea of the tri-fold boards as cubicles! That is brilliant!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheReader Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 Genius! What a way to deal with workbooks and things that just don't stand up well on a shelf! I love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwg Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 Very cool! Thanks for sharing, especially the pictures. I've been wishing for those Staples Desk Apprentices but the cost so each kid could have one is just too high. I could afford dish racks! :001_smile: :iagree: I want the desk apprentice b/c it is portable and we have a tendency to school all over the place. This sounds like it will save me space and money! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recovering Sociopath Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 Oh, this is so smart. I am plotting to turn our basement into a dedicated home school area this summer and looking for ideas. Love this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted June 22, 2011 Author Share Posted June 22, 2011 I love the idea of the tri-fold boards as cubicles! That is brilliant!!! I haven't taken them out for awhile but I think I'll have to soon. My 13 yr old is constantly getting excited by some bit of Latin or grammar and wanting to tell me about it right in the middle of my son's reading or spelling. :glare: The cubicle might take away that impulse. I'm thinking of adding in a notebook she can tuck into her binder to write down all the little things she wants to tell me during school time. We can look at it after. Another thing I do that's been great for her is I give her my binder with the weekly schedule in it from Donna Young. She corrects all her work and then I have her figure out the percentage of right answers and record it in the slot for that subject on that day. Then she gets percentage practice and I get the marks recorded. It's funny because I spent years looking for the perfect organizational solution but as soon as I stopped looking and just adjusted as I went things started falling into place. I'll have to do a blog post and record all the little things that make it easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelanieM Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 Awesome idea!! I've also been lusting after the desk apprentice, and this is such a clever and inexpensive alternative! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxMom Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 This is too funny. You know it's a homeschooling board when people get excited over sticking books in a dish rack. :D Do you have any idea how this will streamline my dining room cum school room? Seriously? Too, too cool! (oh, and also, I have a Desk Apprentice. I do love it. But it doesn't work for us for this purpose.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 I love it! What an awesome idea! Psssst...More Canadian ingenuity at work! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JumpedIntoTheDeepEndFirst Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 The dish racks are genius. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucy in Australia Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 I think I'm in love :svengo::001_wub: That is a seriously ingenious idea! Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted June 22, 2011 Author Share Posted June 22, 2011 I love it! What an awesome idea! Psssst...More Canadian ingenuity at work! :lol: We're a very clever people. We have to be in a repressive nanny state (er...Province). :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted June 22, 2011 Author Share Posted June 22, 2011 Do you have any idea how this will streamline my dining room cum school room? Seriously? Yes. :D I started the system just so the school work wouldn't take over the dining room. In our last, tiny house it did take over the whole house. That was confusing and led to a lot of mess that never got cleaned up and a lot of school work that never got done. I'm starting to think I should have come up with a clever name, written an ebook and charged $10 a pop. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T'smom Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 Yes. :D I started the system just so the school work wouldn't take over the dining room. In our last, tiny house it did take over the whole house. That was confusing and led to a lot of mess that never got cleaned up and a lot of school work that never got done. I'm starting to think I should have come up with a clever name, written an ebook and charged $10 a pop. :D It's not too late! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelanieM Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 I'm starting to think I should have come up with a clever name, written an ebook and charged $10 a pop. :D :lol: :lol: Absolutely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted June 22, 2011 Author Share Posted June 22, 2011 (edited) It's not too late! Naw. I'd feel like a hypocrite. I'm a firm believer in open source ideas and freely sharing information. Besides' date=' I'd never actually get it done and ready for sale...and it's a [i']dish rack[/i]. The real payoff is coming here and having people tell me I'm a brilliant genius. :D I'll have to blog about it and stick it in the homeschooling carnival tomorrow. Edited June 22, 2011 by WishboneDawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovelaughs_times_three Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 Thanks for sharing!!! LOVE IT!!! I really like the idea of using those science fair type dividers to keep the kids from getting distracted and also for giving them something that feels like their own space!! Too cool!!! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted June 23, 2011 Author Share Posted June 23, 2011 Blog post is up. Link is in my siggy. Pretty much the same info as here but it's a little more detailed and easier if anyone wanted to share the info with others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomandlorih Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 LOVE this idea! Thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renai Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 I think you started something. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted June 23, 2011 Author Share Posted June 23, 2011 I think you started something. :lol: I always am. Usually it's not anything good or helpful though. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renai Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 I always am. Usually it's not anything good or helpful though. :D Well, you know you've got it made if it makes facebook, and I'm about to share the link. It's about to go viral!:tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted June 23, 2011 Author Share Posted June 23, 2011 (edited) Well, you know you've got it made if it makes facebook, and I'm about to share the link. It's about to go viral!:tongue_smilie: Whoo hoo! I updated my siggy in honour of the occasion. :D Edited June 23, 2011 by WishboneDawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MicheleinMN Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 :lurk5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhonda in TX Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 I love that the utensil bucket can be used as a pencil holder. What a great idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxMom Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 Thanks, Dawn! It's been in place for a week and is FABULOUS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted July 3, 2011 Author Share Posted July 3, 2011 Thanks, Dawn! It's been in place for a week and is FABULOUS! Awesome! That looks better then mine because you can hide you stuff away. :) Now a need a hutch. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxMom Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 (edited) Yes, closing the doors is nice. Also note how conveniently located the booze is, for "those" days. :lol: (one can also note how we are not much on cocktails by the weird, mismatched quality of the booze collection. ;) ) Really, your timing was excellent. We were in the midst of a huge declutter (the dining/school room being the worst of it) and as soon as you posted, I knew I had an answer. Edited July 3, 2011 by MyCrazyHouse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 Yes, closing the doors is nice. Also note how conveniently located the booze is, for "those" days. :lol:(one can also note how we are not much on cocktails by the weird, mismatched quality of the booze collection. ;) ) Really, your timing was excellent. We were in the midst of a huge declutter (the dining/school room being the worst of it) and as soon as you posted, I knew I had an answer. I was noticing the alcohol in the picture.... Mixing the drinks with lessons. I think my son would adore that... I might get more mellow as the day progressed... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nrg Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 The dish drainers look great. For private learning spaces, I cut the presentation boards in half to make two shorter ones. Then I use binder clips to post stuff on them that the student needs inside the "cubicle." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 I bought plastic dish racks today from the dollar store for $1.25 each. I plan to use them for my workboxes. The kids love work boxes but after we moved to this tiny house I didn't have room for a big system. Your idea of using the dish racks was brilliant. I bought big ziploc freezer bags, and will use those in the dish rack to be our workboxes. Such a cheap solution and even having 4 set up takes up very little room, and when we are not doing school I can just stack all the dish racks and tuck them away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 I bought plastic dish racks today from the dollar store for $1.25 each. I plan to use them for my workboxes. The kids love work boxes but after we moved to this tiny house I didn't have room for a big system. Your idea of using the dish racks was brilliant. I bought big ziploc freezer bags, and will use those in the dish rack to be our workboxes. Such a cheap solution and even having 4 set up takes up very little room, and when we are not doing school I can just stack all the dish racks and tuck them away. I was thinking about doing this. Where will you put the workbox numbers? Have you set it up yet and can post a picture? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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