OrganicMom Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 I'm Copy/pasting this from the RightStart Yahoo Message board, where I originally posted this. I've been using RS for a few years it seems, but this spring I finally found a way that is the most efficient for me and my family. I find that our lessons go smoother (thus quicker) and I'm ready for anything. I have one large bin that is easy to carry to whatever room we are in. I typically just have my kids push it. (heavy work is good before doing seat work) Sometimes we work at the school table, kitchen table, or living room floor. Everything goes into that bin, except for: 1. math balance - sits beautifully on a low shelf that they can reach. 2. other abacuses - there is one in the said bin, above, but there is also one in each one of their personal boxes that has all their daily school tools. 3. the lesson manuals - they sit on a shelf with all my other teacher manuals/books, but the game book is in the said big bin. * I even have a pouch that contains, scissors, glue, dry erase and wet erase tools (b/c we laminate all the part circle sets, etc) and anything else i need to do whatever lesson we are on. PHOTOS OF THE LARGE BIN: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/20147979/2014-05-07%2011.59.37.jpg photo from above, open - https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/20147979/2014-05-07%2013.07.04.jpg - what you see but might not recognize is a plastic base ten set, as well as linking colored centimeter cubes. I store all the small card boxes on top of the bin, they are not pictured in this one. photo from inside the side - https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/20147979/2014-05-07%2013.07.47.jpg *the black rectangular piece in the bottom of the last picture is a plastic "till" filled with the toy money all separated out, the kids love it. PHOTOS OF HOW I ORGANIZED THE CARDS and how many boxes i needed: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/20147979/2014-05-07%2013.04.53.jpg https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/20147979/2014-05-07%2013.04.14.jpg https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/20147979/2014-05-07%2013.05.41.jpg - far left bottom is a containger holding game pieces for swim to ten, the far right bottom contains laminated shapes that they are to typically cut out and reuse, such as triangles, hexagons, etc. https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/20147979/2014-05-07%2013.06.07.jpg for fun two photos of my son doing level A https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/20147979/2014-06-25%2008.15.33.jpg - we are using a "montessori" like "work space/mat" https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/20147979/2014-05-16%2010.46.20.jpg - we carried our low/adjustable school working table into the living room for a change of scenery. Everyone has a different way of doing things. It's best to take what you like and leave the rest. :) This is just what works for us. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcissel Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 I love the individual containers for the cards. I've seen some good ideas for how to organize RS stuff, but we often work away from home (a co-op room or Nanna's house), so I'd like something that would protect the cards and keep them in better condition. Where did you get the small containers? Do you know the brand name? Also, what do you do with your fraction chart (assuming you have the plastic one...)? I would like to find a way to protect it and the longest pieces when I put it into a larger contaienr with everything else. Thank you for sharing! Joanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilMama Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 Great organization! Where did you get the individual containers for the cards? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajfries Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 Oooh! Thanks for sharing! I've been contemplating organizing RS for the coming year, this is a great way to do it! This question was just asked on the RS Yahoo Group (organizing manipulatives, I mean), and it will be fun to see how everyone does it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Year Round Mom Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 Third person loving the card containers! I want!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A home for their hearts Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 Loving the card containers too and also curious about where you got them. I was also wondering where you got that adjustable table?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganicMom Posted July 4, 2014 Author Share Posted July 4, 2014 OK, this is the 2nd time I'm attempting a reply. lost the first one. :) Thanks guys! First off, I think i remember trimming down the edges of the fraction chart with our paper cutter so that it fits nicely on the side of our big bin. About the boxes I purchased them individually at our local Office Depot. There are two brand options. I bought the first b/c it was cheaper, although i think made in china, and the 2nd i think made in the UK. The first option may have been a slightly better, fit than the 2nd. I cannot remember about that one, i may be wrong about the fit, b/c both brands are similar in size. 1. Super Stacker - http://www.officedepot.com/catalog/search.do?Ntt=super+stacker 2. Really Useful Box - http://www.officedepot.com/catalog/search.do?Ntt=really+useful+box&searchSuggestion=true Here is an example in a random color of what I got, but bought individually: 4 of the bottom pencil box - http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/187207/Super-Stacker-Storage-Boxes-5-Cups/ 10 of the bottom crayon box sizes - http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/187189/Super-Stacker-Storage-Boxes-5-Cups/ I got some other random sizes, too for the math bin, i think, as well as other areas in our school. my recommendation? search the online store more, call your local home depot, or buy from amazon individually here are a few options after a super fast search but their may be others: http://www.amazon.com/Advantus-Super-Stacker-Crayon-40311/dp/B00B4NPO08/ref=sr_1_1?rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1404433423&sr=8-1&keywords=super+stacker http://www.amazon.com/Advantus-Stacker-Pencil-Colors-40309/dp/B00B4NPLKG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1404433423&sr=8-2&keywords=super+stacker YES you are right, I LOVE the boxes. I feel i can just throw them in a bag to go, or only get out what we need, it is easier clean up and dishing out. And as you know it makes the cards last much longer. It's a better over all experience. edited to add the amazon price on those happens to be almost 50% more than the more expensive brand...but if money wasn't an issue and you really wanted the right sizes, etc... then i guess that is an option. :) I think i remember one of the boxes i got being $1.50 or $1.99 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganicMom Posted July 4, 2014 Author Share Posted July 4, 2014 I think the first option was 50% cheaper than the 2nd brand/option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganicMom Posted July 4, 2014 Author Share Posted July 4, 2014 Oh yes! the table. i forgot. :) We got that at COSTCO! Here are some options they sell online: http://www.costco.com/CatalogSearch?storeId=10301&catalogId=10701&langId=-1&keyword=adjustable+table We found ours in the store for much cheaper b/c it is only 4 feet long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcissel Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 Thank you for sharing! I think I could take some of the cards with me to judge size, and see what I can find at local stores, maybe make use of a homeschooling discount. I am going to have to do this for next year or our cards are just not going to hold up! Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganicMom Posted July 4, 2014 Author Share Posted July 4, 2014 Sure! Yes, bring the cards. But if you are able, might i recommend bringing one of the taller single stacks? Such as the Fraction cards. The reason i say this is b/c the fraction deck only just fits the height of the box. one or two cards more for example would be too small. :) ETA: The other's fit with room to spare though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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