A sweet gal named Jen wrote in and said:
…I’ve been thinking a lot about your homeschool space. We are still not sure what we will do next year and are kind of torn on what direction to take. Regardless of that, I am going to create a space for our kids because I feel like it would help. We love your school space, and were wondering, what would you say are some must-haves for your space? Do you have any recommendations? Or tips? I can use all the help I can get…
If you guys have been reading for a while, you may know we just completed our third year of homeschool. It’s been a crazy adventure, and we’re actually planning to stay on top of our subjects through the summer, just because we were so touch and go with the move this spring, and we want to capitalize each day with a small activity to work with the whole lost-information conundrum.
If there’s anything I’ve learned from homeschooling in the past three years, it’s know thyself. And for me, schooling from home meant I would stay on task and be more dedicated, if we had a space especially for the process of homeschool. Obviously, school happens anywhere and everywhere. That’s the beauty in what we’ve been doing:
And we have no idea where that will lead us next year. But we have to say, at the end of the day, our favorite thing has been to have a special space for school. It kept us on task, and did so many things, we can’t even begin to tell you the value of having a dedicated space for it all. Of course, a lot of days have looked like the photos above… whether it’s homework after school, or homeschool all day. Things gravitate and evolve and that’s great. We’re weighing our options with it all now since our family has been through such a big change, and we’re seriously considering the local school because we just may be to that point where our children and family are ready to try something new.
So no matter what school looks like for you: magnet, private, homeschool, charter or anything in between… this is a bit of a revisited topic, but definitely one of our faves to talk about:
Here’s a few of our favorite things {and tips to consider} when creating a school space
• Find what works for you
We probably harp on this too much when it comes to all things. It’s a little bit different for everyone, but really. What works for us may not work for others and vice versa. Everyone’s family dynamics and needs and lesson plans are different. No two homes, floorpans, curriculums, or families or schedules are alike. We talk about this a lot, but break the rules and use the space, and switch it up, no matter what that looks like for you.
The most liberating thing, for us, was just pushing the button and giving ourselves permission to do this. On more levels than just the literal sense. So in the process of that, we decided to ditch the dining room because a. we never used it, and b. I knew myself well enough to say, hey… if we have a room dedicated to this where I can actually stay on top of it and be organized, to store all their things, that helps me. So really, the space was for me just as much as it was them. Inspiration and motivation are key here. Having a space for school work is as much for you as it is for your little students. It’s also a bit of a luxury because we realize not everyone has the square footage to dedicate solely to their space. It was freeing to drop the whole dining room thing all together and just roll with it. {I felt like a total southern rebel because (gasp!) empty dining rooms are for occasional company. DUH.} Everyone is different. So no matter where it is, make it as much for you as for them.
Look at it in ways that may help and work for you the best in terms of whatever you want to achieve with your space. What do you hope to achieve from it, and what will help you get there with those goals? Maybe its an area in your kitchen where you can install a bookshelf to keep all their things to assist in your sanity. Maybe it’s a place in their playroom that you can use, that helps you with organization and staying consistent. Find what that thing is, and make sure you’re doing it just as much for you, as it is for them.
I know that I was motivated to step into that space, because I’m a visual person, and love the idea of inspiring others with color and ideas and words and a little flavor. We started out working with what we had, and letting it change slowly from there, as we figured out our needs.
So you don’t have to have everything in tact at once. You don’t have to know exactly what will go where. Even if it’s at your kitchen table, just make sure you feel good in that space. You feel comfortable and your children do, too. That’s the most important thing you can carry away.
• Kids crave routine
I’m not a childhood expert, and I in no way claim to have all the answers. But I do have some masters work in education, so I took some classes… I’m a mom {ya don’t say?!} And I like to think that common sense goes a long way. I do know the one resounding fact that came from all of our classes and all the parenting books and all the things I’ve ever heard or felt or observed in my own experience … and this is true for us personally: kids crave structure and routine. If you have clear expectations from the beginning, and a solid ground to build from for all of you, this helps them.
Allowing them to have their own space, was part of that for us. As a parent, you’re switching hats. You’re going from the mom hat to the teacher hat. And the biggest struggle in that is going to be knowing when to wear what. A major part of that includes providing a safe, organized environment for them to work. And even letting them struggle. {The irony is not lost on me that this is where I struggle}. So for us, rationally, having a space for that helped. A place where they knew that once we were in ‘the zone,’ certain expectations are put into place. This has worked for us.
• A place for everything
Your days will run smoother, and your children will feel secure in structure. You will all accomplish more if there’s a place for everything and everything in its place. You won’t lose control as often.
Will it always be perfect? Nope. Are we working from a card table on various subjects throughout the summer since we’re currently in an apartment? Absolutely. Start small and do what works for you. Simple solutions like baskets for different subjects, and spaces for your children to keep up with their things. Bookscases for books. Spaces for paper, learning activities, supplies… find a good viable solution that will work for you.
• Look at the space as wasted real estate.
Once you figure out where it’s going to be… How do you plan to use it? Do you want them to be able to rotate around? How can your room function better for you?
We move to the floor. We sit on the sofa. We expanded the literal area out into our entryway of our home with the map and bench and we even work there. And we certainly don’t stay put the entire time. Switching it up actually helps them, too.
We look at every little increment of space in each individual room and think of how it can work harder for our family. Curriculum and supplies and books are no joke. When we were packing our boxes, my mother in law told me she felt like we were moving a book store. And we were. It amazes me how much real estate we’re wasting when it comes to storage opportunities in spaces. Shelves alone have been a game changer for us throughout our home, and it’s been a great place for us to spread out their things so they actually know a. what they have and b. where it is.
Sometimes, we’re still working on those because life’s not perfect. But again, it helps.
In a way, every space in our home contributes in some way to the success of the education of our children. It has to. No matter what avenue you choose, your house works hard to provide that.
• A place for easy access
With all that organization comes equal consideration for access by your children. If they know where their next subject is stored, and can put books and belongings back on their own, you’re not wasting precious time a. searching for where the heck you put that freaking book and b. going to and fro, and doing it all for them while you slowly lose your everlovingmind.
• A place of their own
Where they can work, every day. Yes, they each have their own basket where they keep their own workbooks, etc. But they also have this little desk with their own chairs, and their own drawers where they can place their readers, flashcards, and anything of their choice to keep tabs on. It helps them take ownership of their work, and of their space.
There’s a lot to be said for those structured moments and what’s valuable for operating in the ‘real world’, as well. I think there’s a good balance in the educational process that can be healthy for the entire family.
Letting them have their own little space, helps with that.
• A place to move
As soon as we dropped that dining room table {not literally…we just moved it to the kitchen} it was so freeing. I was amazed at how much easier school became. Again, know thy children. Emerson likes to move while she learns. And for a while, I kind of fought her on that. Not intentionally, but I always tried to get her to “sit still” and “concentrate” and realized I was totally the trad school marm with my ruler and dunce hat.
What was I fighting her for?
• A place to write
If you haven’t noticed yet, I’m big on keeping options open, and rolling with it. From my approach to curriculum with plenty to choose from, styles to embrace, and methods to use. So with spaces to write out a concept, whether it’s a tiny chalkboard you can whip out, or a small dry erase board… I find those invaluable as well.
From illustrating ideas, to making lists, and working out math problems together, I like to keep my options open. Book characters, story elements, adjectives and sentence structure… If you can find somewhere to write and get your concept across to visual learners, then go for it.
It’s one of our most valuable tools.
• A place to display
Just like a real classroom, if you have room, include a place for positive messages. We love great quotes from literature, to verses to inspire and help steer their little hearts and minds… we read them often and I think it’s important to have something that helps push your family vision.
And most importantly, showcase their work. Even if your latest and greatest is rocking the fridge, display it proudly. We have a lot of artwork rotate in and out of the spaces, and many of their personal bests, too. It helps personalize the space, and helps them take ownership of good work.
And that wraps it up for us, and our take on a dedicated school space.
As always, let us know if you have anything to add – We’d love to hear your take on it all, no matter what school looks like for you! For more of our posts in this series from free printables {lesson plan forms + maps} to art lessons + our takes on the process, be sure to check it out here.
Have an inspired day!
Mama to Seven says
Homeschool. Homeschool. Homeschool. Keep those precious ones at home and you will keep their hearts. It will never be easy. Education is not the most important thing (not that it’s not REALLY important). Relationship. Relationship. Relationship. God gave them to you because you and Jamin have important things to teach them that can ONLY be taught by you! You can do it. YOU CAN! You won’t regret it. Promise.
Jenna says
Love this! You guys have such great ideas! I’m with you on everyone’s situation is different. these are awesome suggestions.
Alexis says
These are beautiful ideas! And I love your advice – so true.