classroom systems and management

Mama meant business last week.

And everyone knew it when I headed into that space to get it together.

The kids retreated to the back for a full on game of Mario Kart, lest I ask them to participate. And even the pups were in hiding, while Jamin mysteriously decided it was time to head to Publix.

There’s just something about workout clothes, good music, coffee and a candle that are my super powers. I feel like I can conquer anything. It’s this delicate combo, the spinach to my popeye that says: You can do this. Conquer the world! Even if you don’t really want to.

I know. We’ve been kind of heavy on the school posts lately. In fact, we’re probably totally bumming you out. I think we’re bumming ourselves out.

I’m really just ready to go back to the beach.

Because the space looked organized, but it really wasn’t at all. And because we will be relocating at some point this school year along with frequent trips to Nashville, we decided to start today… just to make time for all the other stuff. I was determined to divide and conquer in the world of pieced together curriculums and organized chaos. It was time to scratch that itch.

Even if halfway though {only half of the mess pictured here} I kind of lost my steam. It’s oh so easy to lose that steam.

A little a-la Monica and Chandler. {Refresh if it’s not loading}

For what it’s worth: This is totally Jamin and me every time I try to get him to go for a run. I try. Points for trying.

If you gathered from our previous posts, last year was kinda rough. But just when we were ready to call it quits, we turned a corner.

I found one little actually reading to another little, on her own. It’s been a struggle for us, and we seriously considered putting them back in once we relocated. But we haven’t relocated, and so almost by default, here we go with round three, and I have to remember that there’s a big plan with all of this. Something that we will laugh at, looking back at it all in five years. Something that’s clearly the best for us, right now. I’m supposed to embrace right now, no matter what. It’s year to year with us, and just like all the pros and cons with any school choice you make for your kids, it’s supposed to be. So we know that this is it for us this year.

Cue sparkly angel lights and choir and me doing a happy dance from behind the door. We really can do this.

So this year is about reassessing what’s not working, thinking through what is, and problem solving with functionality in the space. We know that our kids need structure, and the best laid plans are those that actually have, well, a plan.

I think that every year, it’s time to come back and reassess, and I think the biggest challenge for us, is facilitating a place for learning, and managing all the great resources… without it becoming a total wreck all the time. We actually rotate all around the house, for different subjects. But for us to function in a learning environment, for me to be their {sane} teacher, it’s important to keep it in working order.

What’s working and what’s not… Here’s a few things we’re changing with our classroom systems and management this year:

For binders and books: 

These have been a great way to provide space, and organize all their stuff. We shared our curriculum choices last week, and to make the school day more manageable, we have afternoon work to make sure they’re getting a few more lessons in with independent learning.

One classic mistake I made was trying to use only one basket per kid. If I’ve realized one thing, it’s that too many items in a basket is counter productive, and we didn’t have enough space. Yay clutter. So each child now gets two: One for morning work, and one for the afternoon. It helps keep things orderly, with easy, at-a-glance access for all those workbooks and anything else they’ll need. It seems like something so simple, it’s ridiculous for me to share.

Also, this is a total nerd update: We got the kids character trapper keepers this year to a. pump them up because duh, trapper keepers and b. store most of their subjects in one easy-to-access place. It’s the little things. PS. Trapper keepers are still totally rad.

PPS: we’ve moved all their art supplies and educational magazines into this space. {The crate on the bottom} We hope it keeps fostering more independent work in those after hours. Nothing makes us happier than finding them creating in this space when school isn’t even in session. It took them a while to get past the dining room stigma. But it’s their room, and we want them to use it.

For readers:

This shelf sits just outside the space, and since we made our entryway an official “part of the room” it’s helped in expanding the actual square footage we use. This houses most of our readers, but the books, over time, became a big jumble last year, so we decided it was time to divvy it up on the appropriate levels.

Each kiddo gets their own shelf, with plenty of books to choose from on their own reading level. We’ve pretty much outgrown this little bookshelf, and nothing makes us happier.

We just want easy-to access reading on their level, up for grabs at any point of the day. We’ll continue to add to it, as the year goes on. {Thanks, Amazon Prime.}

Don’t worry – we’ll visit the library, too. There’s just something about our own little home library that makes me happy. #bookloverforlife

For supplies: 

We’re still loving this little place to access all their pencils, crayons, markers, and whatever else they could need while still sitting at their desks. It’s been a great tool for our little space without things getting out of hand. It started out as a centerpiece for our dining room table, and kind of evolved into this with little mason jars for all their pieces.

Incentives: 

Education 101, but we listed the rules here… the kids actually requested them. We’re starting on the right foot this year, with clear expectations and common goals.

Positive reinforcement and all that jazz I learned about with my post graduate work in art education {who knew I would glean something even though I ended up (surprise) prego and starting a blog instead-irony} we’re sticking with our star incentives this year. It’s simple: work hard and get a star. Cause problems and have a bad day: lose a star. Stars for us = the golden achievement for any child… screen time.

We just need to make sure we stick with it.

Charts: 

You can grab these up along with our free 2016 planner here. But we laminated these little charts, and with a permanent marker, filled in their subjects for the year. We felt like keeping up with them on a weekly basis {with a dry erase marker for them to check off their subjects, daily} gives them a sense of accomplishment, and helps them take responsibility for their learning. And a full day with successful checks = stars.

Words of encouragement: 

One of my favorite little finds was this vintage Playskool mailbox at the flea market. We know we can use more positive words in our family, and with each other. We thought this was a great place to have a little station of sorts to leave encouraging words for each other. And they’re left in that mailbox. From parents to children, and sibling to sibling. The more love letters, the merrier.

We plan to make our first day back fun, by a refresher course on a few things, and getting them excited about the school year.

For what it’s worth: Target alert-Hello dollar bins. We took the kids on a little pre-school shopping trip for things they didn’t really need… but that will excite them in the world of supplies and getting pumped up. We loved the little stickers, pencils and more in their dollar bins… and from pencil cases to character notebooks, it’s the little things. I found them in here later, getting everything together. So fun!

Here’s to putting our best foot forward, and finding our passion again.

For more in our homeschool series, check them out here, but here’s a few of our faves:

• homeschool room essentials

• things to consider before homeschooling

• tips for back to school organization

• find all of our sources for the space, here. 

And we did a little impromptu tour on Periscope last week {@handmade_home} but we saved it, and you can see a real-life tour here on our you tube channel. 

What are some of your very favorite school room policies and systems you’ve used? We would love to hear what works for you and your family. Thinking of everyone as they start the new school year, with every possible avenue out there! As always, let us know if you have any questions… have an inspired day!