A home for their hearts Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 We are going to use workboxes next year so I'm trying to figure out what exactly to use. We don't have a lot of room so it can't be anything that takes up to much space. If you have picture of ours that would be great! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkacademy Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 Mine are on our school blog under the classroom tab. They are the cart things with ten drawers, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenangelcat Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 Ours are here. The bins were $1.50 at the dollar store and the stand cost around $40 for dh to build. There are 10 bins per kid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nellecv Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 I don't have a picture, but I used to use one milk crate to store the day's work. Each individual assignment would be stored in a jumbo ziplock bag. It wasn't pretty or fancy, but it was dirt cheap and took very little room. I put velcro circles on the bags and stuck numbers on them in the order I wanted them done. After DD would complete a bag, she'd take the velcro number off and stick it on a list, so I could easily see where she was and what had been done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MathGirl Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 We no longer use these, since DD does better with a list now, but we used to use magazine holders like these: http://www.amazon.com/Bankers-Magazine-Holders-Letter-10723/dp/B000J09BKG I didn't have a lot of room for boxes or bins, so this worked well. Any large items that didn't fit, I just left on the table and put a note in the magazine holder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samiam Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 These are what we use...although ours are not these colorful ones, our are shades of white, gray and black. http://www.joann.com/storage-cart-with-10-drawers-multi-color/zprd_02348241a/ These are perfect because they do not require alot of floor space. The drawers slid out easily enough. They have fit almost everything I've needed them to fit, including binders. Binders don't lay flat in them, one side sticks up just a bit, but doesn't interfere with the slide in/out. The top part is a nice shelf for a storage container of markers, crayons, etc...whatever you need handy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom31257 Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 I don't use actual drawers or any boxes because I didn't want to have to fill them each day or use that much space. I use a pocket portfolio and laminated task cards. I posted about it here. I love it because I can plan the whole week at one time and take it with us easily if we need to do any schooling on the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Jen* Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 These are what we use...although ours are not these colorful ones, our are shades of white, gray and black. http://www.joann.com/storage-cart-with-10-drawers-multi-color/zprd_02348241a/ These are perfect because they do not require alot of floor space. The drawers slid out easily enough. They have fit almost everything I've needed them to fit, including binders. Binders don't lay flat in them, one side sticks up just a bit, but doesn't interfere with the slide in/out. The top part is a nice shelf for a storage container of markers, crayons, etc...whatever you need handy. I use the same thing. Link to pictures here The only thing I don't like with them is that they can tip easily if you have little ones in the house. We ended up having to use a couple of pieces of a play-yard to gate the baby out of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vida Winter Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 I use large vinyl sleeves (google "vinyl job jackets" or "vinyl job ticket sleeves"). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Socalimom Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 I don't use actual drawers or any boxes because I didn't want to have to fill them each day or use that much space. I use a pocket portfolio and laminated task cards. I posted about it here. I love it because I can plan the whole week at one time and take it with us easily if we need to do any schooling on the road. Did you purchase the pocket portfolios from staples? (The link is not working for me.) These look great! I like how you used them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourcatmom Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 (edited) Just an FYI - Confessions of a Homeschooler posted last night that the colorful scrapbook boxes (the ones that people have pictured here) are 40% off this week at Michaels. Then there is also a 20% off coupon in their weekly ad that you can add to it. http://michaels.shoplocal.com/michaels/default.aspx?action=entryflash You can search the ad for the workboxes, I think they are on page 2. HTH Edited June 5, 2012 by fourcatmom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelli Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 I posted this in a different workbox thread but it fits here as well: I use workboxes but the broke (all of those storage units are expensive!), small space (I do not have room for the storage units or shoeboxes), and lazy (no filling any folders, binders, boxes, etc. every night) way. My children keep all of their books, workbooks, binders, etc. in one large fabric bin from Wal-mart. Then I have their "workbox chart". This shows them what subjects we are doing that day and in what order. They know what book to get out of ther bin for that lesson. When we finish a subject they take the picture off of their chart and put it in a small plastic container that I leave on the table. I have a more detailed explanation in this blog post. How I Plan Our Homeschool Day I love the system we have now and will keep it for the forseeable future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerryAtHope Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 Love workboxes here! There are pics on my blog, we use tower drawers so they don't take up as much room as the author's system. Hope you find a system that works for you! Merry :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 I use these from The Container Store: http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10008430&N=&Ntt=plastic+mesh+basket Inexpensive, easily stackable, a 3x5 card fits nicely on them as a label (tied on with color-coded yarn), and they hold most books and even 3-ring binders flat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paceofnature Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 Just an FYI - Confessions of a Homeschooler posted last night that the colorful scrapbook boxes (the ones that people have pictured here) are 40% off this week at Michaels. Then there is also a 20% off coupon in their weekly ad that you can add to it. http://michaels.shoplocal.com/michaels/default.aspx?action=entryflash You can search the ad for the workboxes, I think they are on page 2. HTH Thanks! I have been looking at these for quite a while. This may be the push I need ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isitnaptime Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 Thanks! I have been looking at these for quite a while. This may be the push I need ;) Check to see if you can use the coupon on the sale price, usually you cannot. The 20% would come off the regular price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PentecostalMom Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 (edited) I cannot find the ones I bought at JoAnn's last year when they have back to school storage. Dh and I did a lot of research (especially reading reviews on Amazon) which led us away from these, and to these instead. However, when I went to JoAnn's to actually buy them I found metal mesh carts with 7 drawers. We decided to go with those (I paid about $120 for both, including tax, but did not use a coupon) because we have three little dc and figure they will last longer. Oh, I found one that is the same here! The only difference is that mine are black instead of silver. ETA: We also bought this from Sam's because the drawers are wider and will hold bigger textbooks and notebooks flat. This wisdom was gleaned from another thread on WTM. We are now using it for art supplies but it may get used for a workbox cart as the dc get bigger. It has 10 drawers. Edited June 5, 2012 by PentecostalMom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paceofnature Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 Check to see if you can use the coupon on the sale price, usually you cannot. The 20% would come off the regular price. Good idea... Just double checked and it says 20% includes sale items (yay!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lcelmer Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002BA5F70/ref=wms_ohs_product Our favorites... almost everything fitsn them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKDmom Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 Here are mine. I bought them at JoAnn's when they were steeply discounted after Thanksgiving one year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom31257 Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 Did you purchase the pocket portfolios from staples? (The link is not working for me.) These look great! I like how you used them! I actually had that binder for quite some time. Sorry about the link, Staples no longer has that exact brand. My local Wal-mart has a portfolio almost just like it, or it did about 1.5 months ago. A friend found a 10 pocket portfolio without the holders on the front of each pocket. She just glued sturdy envelopes to the front of each pocket to hold the task cards she made. She said they held up all year. She used something like this, but she found it at Staples in the store. It didn't have comb binding, had 10 pockets and had an elastic band for closure. I hope you can find something similar! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatmansWife Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 I just posted pics of ours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 Just an FYI - Confessions of a Homeschooler posted last night that the colorful scrapbook boxes (the ones that people have pictured here) are 40% off this week at Michaels. Then there is also a 20% off coupon in their weekly ad that you can add to it. http://michaels.shoplocal.com/michaels/default.aspx?action=entryflash You can search the ad for the workboxes, I think they are on page 2. HTH Ohh, just called my mom to let her know these are on the top of my birthday wish list. They have been for 2 years, but that deal is too awesome to pass up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourcatmom Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 Ohh, just called my mom to let her know these are on the top of my birthday wish list. They have been for 2 years, but that deal is too awesome to pass up. I think someone said the original price was $69, so that brings them down quite a bit. More of a reasonable price, imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 I think someone said the original price was $69, so that brings them down quite a bit. More of a reasonable price, imo. I agree! I explained to my mom I have had them on my wishlist forever and ultimately want 4, if she gets me 1 or 2 for my birthday next week that would help immensely. My big kids I am done with workboxes for, but my 2 little ones I want to still do them, but the way we are doing them now is not working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving&Learning Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 We have these and they cost about $25 each at Sam's Club and they include the baskets. I have my DD put her completed work in the top basket. The baskets are deep and big enough to put her books. There is plenty of room in each basket to put two subjects. There are wheels, so the carts can be moved around if needed, but it's also nice that we can engage the locks on two of the wheels since I don't need them to be moved around for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnbacademy Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 (edited) We use a plastic hanging file box 1 for each child. I place the pages, etc, into each hanging file. I put velcro dots on outside of each file to stick the numbers 1-12 to, with each file designated a number. On outside of cube is a paper square with12 receiver velcro dots. When they complete what is in the file, or at least complete that specific subject, they move the number onto the outside graphic. They are done when all receiver dots have a corresponding number stuck to it. I labeled the hanging files with subject names.This way, if I am busy, I really don't even have to remove pages, they just move the numbers.HTH, Edited September 13, 2014 by bnbacademy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie in VA Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 We no longer use these, since DD does better with a list now, but we used to use magazine holders like these: http://www.amazon.com/Bankers-Magazine-Holders-Letter-10723/dp/B000J09BKG I didn't have a lot of room for boxes or bins, so this worked well. Any large items that didn't fit, I just left on the table and put a note in the magazine holder. This, including not using them now (at least not like we did orginally) but from IKEA. Here were my requirements for workboxes: 1. Inexpensive 2. Nothing I have to find space for 3. something I could use for another purpose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairy4tmama Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 I posted this in a different workbox thread but it fits here as well: I use workboxes but the broke (all of those storage units are expensive!), small space (I do not have room for the storage units or shoeboxes), and lazy (no filling any folders, binders, boxes, etc. every night) way. My children keep all of their books, workbooks, binders, etc. in one large fabric bin from Wal-mart. Then I have their "workbox chart". This shows them what subjects we are doing that day and in what order. They know what book to get out of ther bin for that lesson. When we finish a subject they take the picture off of their chart and put it in a small plastic container that I leave on the table. I have a more detailed explanation in this blog post. How I Plan Our Homeschool Day I love the system we have now and will keep it for the forseeable future. This is exactly how we roll with work boxes :) except we use these (with the lid off so tall books can stick out) for each child and one for all our current history books (because we do group history). I just added the use of a paper check list and love it. I love how adaptable workboxes are. We have tried a couple of variations on WBs but this is *IT* for our family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angiegal Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 I think I'll try workboxes this year. Thanks for the ideas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naturally Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 We have these and they cost about $25 each at Sam's Club and they include the baskets. I have my DD put her completed work in the top basket. The baskets are deep and big enough to put her books. There is plenty of room in each basket to put two subjects. There are wheels, so the carts can be moved around if needed, but it's also nice that we can engage the locks on two of the wheels since I don't need them to be moved around for now. Hoping you see this..... Can you link to them? Would love to see them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A home for their hearts Posted June 8, 2012 Author Share Posted June 8, 2012 We have these and they cost about $25 each at Sam's Club and they include the baskets. I have my DD put her completed work in the top basket. The baskets are deep and big enough to put her books. There is plenty of room in each basket to put two subjects. There are wheels, so the carts can be moved around if needed, but it's also nice that we can engage the locks on two of the wheels since I don't need them to be moved around for now. Which ones are you refering too? I found a cart like most people have been talking about here, (the ones on sale at Michaels) for $12 at our used curriculum sale tonight! I was jumping up and down I was so happy!!!! I'm not sure if we will use it for workboxes, my ds2 was alreading pulling out the drawers :glare: but I'm sure I'll find some use for it. I think I need something with lids to keep the little guy out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourcatmom Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 Another FYI - I saw the colored workbox cart at Wal-Mart today and it was only $34. If you don't have a Michael's or a coupon for the other discount, this is comparable in price. Online it's about $60. Not sure why there is such a difference between these online sites and what's available in the stores. This one was made by Mainstays. HTH :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 I use this right now. http://www.sterilite.com/SelectProduct.html?id=404&ProductCategory=186 I put 2 subjects per drawer. I have had other workbox setups but this seeems to be working very well for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatmansWife Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 If you want to see more pics of workbox setups, go to Google and type in workboxes. When the page comes up, click "Images" on the top bar. There's lots of different ones to look at. If you click the picture you can then click on the blog for that pic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidbits of Learning Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 I use the same thing. Link to pictures here The only thing I don't like with them is that they can tip easily if you have little ones in the house. We ended up having to use a couple of pieces of a play-yard to gate the baby out of them. Do you have the Phineas labels available on your blog somewhere?? I am thinking about using workboxes for my upcoming 4th grade son who loves Phineas and Ferb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paceofnature Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 Do you have the Phineas labels available on your blog somewhere?? I am thinking about using workboxes for my upcoming 4th grade son who loves Phineas and Ferb. We love them too! Found the tags here: http://rhomeschoolhale.com/i-love-workboxes/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LenasMommy07 Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 Hi! I made a blog post about what I use for my workbox system. You can see my post here: Creative Learning Fun (it has pictures). I purchased (3) three drawer storage containers at target and then stacked them. It works great for us! All the materials fit well too. Hope this helps! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving&Learning Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 I am sorry that I forgot to put the link for the cart at Sam's Club. http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=prod5390022#desc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raceNzanesmom Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 Thanks for all the great ideas! I'm not planning to do workboxes (exactly), but I'd like to get rid of ds's desk. I have spent the past few days trying to figure out what to do with his stuff that's in the desk. We have shelves in several rooms, but not close to where we work. Lots of good ideas for me to check out. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kandty Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 Those that use the carts from Joann's (and Micheal's, are they sturdy? I assume yes since you are recommending them, but the reviews are bad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kandty Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 ETA: We also bought this from Sam's because the drawers are wider and will hold bigger textbooks and notebooks flat. This wisdom was gleaned from another thread on WTM. We are now using it for art supplies but it may get used for a workbox cart as the dc get bigger. It has 10 drawers. How much did you pay for this? It won't list the price for me. I am almost an hour away from Sam's so I just can't swing by. :tongue_smilie: But, I am planning a trip there soon. Also, is it sturdy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aoife Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 How much did you pay for this? It won't list the price for me. I am almost an hour away from Sam's so I just can't swing by. :tongue_smilie: But, I am planning a trip there soon. Also, is it sturdy? those are 22 dollars at my sams club. I have a few of them but replaced them with the rainbow boxes for this year per DS1's requests LOL :lol: the ones from sams work pretty well but they do come off track rather easily we have not had this problem with the rainbow carts at all and are loving them. I do still have 1 white cart in our room that I will leave for larger books and activities. I still have the velcro dots on it so I can still put up number tags if needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClassicMom Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 We used the cart from Michael's all this past year and it really held up well. I stuffed it pretty good too. I don't move mine around too much though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godsaggie Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 These are what we use...although ours are not these colorful ones, our are shades of white, gray and black. http://www.joann.com/storage-cart-with-10-drawers-multi-color/zprd_02348241a/ These are perfect because they do not require alot of floor space. The drawers slid out easily enough. They have fit almost everything I've needed them to fit, including binders. Binders don't lay flat in them, one side sticks up just a bit, but doesn't interfere with the slide in/out. The top part is a nice shelf for a storage container of markers, crayons, etc...whatever you need handy. This is the same one that I use. I love the boxes for my little ones...I can put a few activities in them and they can do them on their own without any assistance from me. The hard part is actually being diligent to fill them every day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thowell Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Well I am Queen Cheapo so my FIL built me 2 sets of shelves to go under my windows. We used 1x4's. They are only 3 shelves high with just enough room for the dishpan bins to slide in and out of. They are each 4 feet long and fit perfectly under the wall of windows in our school room. Each kiddo has 4 bins on bottom and middle shelf and 3 bins on top shelf with plenty of room for subject binders. He left the side boards about 6 inches longer so it is a perfect book end for the binders. I actually let each kiddo paint their own shelf however they wanted. It cost me about $20 in 1x4's and the dishpans were $1 (each have 11) so that is $22. So total was $42 for both sets. Nothing else could fit on that wall unless I wanted to cover over the windows so this worked out perfectly! Plus it was the cheapest way I could come up with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatmansWife Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 We love them too! Found the tags here: http://rhomeschoolhale.com/i-love-workboxes/ Thank you for this link!! I wasn't going to print off the Phineas & Ferb character numbers, but dd liked them so much. So, I gave in. :001_smile: They are our nicest numbers that we have for the workboxes. I also really liked the check marks. Does anyone know if there are Spongebob workbox number printables somewhere? Dd would really love that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jpoy85 Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Bump on this older thread!!!! Also here is my new WB system!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 Well I am Queen Cheapo so my FIL built me 2 sets of shelves to go under my windows. We used 1x4's. They are only 3 shelves high with just enough room for the dishpan bins to slide in and out of. They are each 4 feet long and fit perfectly under the wall of windows in our school room. Each kiddo has 4 bins on bottom and middle shelf and 3 bins on top shelf with plenty of room for subject binders. He left the side boards about 6 inches longer so it is a perfect book end for the binders. I actually let each kiddo paint their own shelf however they wanted. It cost me about $20 in 1x4's and the dishpans were $1 (each have 11) so that is $22. So total was $42 for both sets. Nothing else could fit on that wall unless I wanted to cover over the windows so this worked out perfectly! Plus it was the cheapest way I could come up with. I would love to see a picture of this.:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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