Our Classroom

I always like seeing pictures from other Homeschool mommas, I can get ideas and suggestions that can help us be better.......we have stolen used many of our ideas from others, so I cant take credit. Our room is still a 'work in progress' but it is getting there. I could use LOTS more storage, and still waiting on hubby to help me hang one more wire (used to hang our letters on the wall).

Here are our shapes.....obviously. And below them is Kaylee's chore chart, which is a modified version of what Confessions of a Homeschooler uses. Ainslee hasn't started her official chore chart yet, she does "chores" but I don't feel like she understands the rewards yet, so I've decided to hold off on her, but the chart has room to grow when Ainslee is ready.

Next to the chart is where I keep some of my supplies and our morning routine supplies. To the left of the 2 drawers is my MESSY desk.

Here is our calendar. I'm not sure if you can see the 2 link chains hanging from the calendar. The left one is our countdown to Washington, each day Kaylee takes off a link. We are SO close to the trip that the stress is starting to build, so much to do......so little time. But we are all ridiculously excited! The 2nd link chain is our pattern chain, each day we add a new link according to the pattern. Surrounding the calendar are our color cards, weather chart, 100's chart, and our personal information sheet (phone # and address).

The bean bag chairs are the ones my mom made for the play room, but we have moved them downstairs and they have come in SUPER handy for circle time!

On the left is Ainslee's desk, she has an alphabet chart hanging in front of her desk. On the far right is Kaylee's TV tray desk. I am still in the process of finding her a more affordable/suitable one. In between the 2 desks are our supplies. Each drawer holds various items, Ainslee's drawer is the bottom one closest to her, I keep a rotation of toys/games in there for her to play with and explore. On the far right, next to Kaylee's desk is her "workbox" system. She has 7 drawers and each day she gets one "work" item in each drawer. I put all necessary supplies in the drawers so if she is cutting and gluing in drawer one, I include the scissors and glue, etc. Some days we only do 5-6 drawers and others they are all full. The drawers can include games, snacks, computer time, etc, not nevessarily all work. She knows to start with the top box and work her way down, she cant move on to the next box until she completes the box before it. After she completes a box she is required to put all supplies back into the box. It is an AWESOME way to stay organized and foster her independence. Most days she can complete most of her work with little or no "help" from me.

I still have some organizing to do with all the stuff on top of the storage system.

Above all of that is where we hang our letters, we started with the vowels and then proceeded with the rest of the alphabet in order. Under that wire rod is where I am planning on hanging a 2nd wire to accommodate the rest of our letters.

And here is a shot of my desk, it is what you would call organized chaos, but also a work in progress. I have so much to do I feel like my desk always gets pushed to the end of the list. But I'm slowly but surely working on it. I would like to hang more things above my desk, maybe make that where we display their work/projects/art but i haven't found the solution yet.......ideas anyone???

So there you have it, a peak into our school room. We love it in there, I am so fortunate to have a room that is so open and accessible to the rest of the house. There are days I can be in the kitchen prepping dinner or doing whatever while the girls do their work, I can be in the living room with Ainslee and still keep an eye on Kaylee. I have to say that Kaylee is SOOOO good about doing her work. She has truly amazed me by her focus, willingness to work and learn and do exactly what I ask of her. It makes me so happy, proud and motivated!