Hip Tips

I have a secret wish to invade multiple homes of other homeschool moms and see what they do for this and that. I love talking to other moms to find out how they organize and where they put their graded papers and staplers and pencils and such. So many of us are constantly trying new systems and products and the options can be endlessly fabulous. Today I wanted to share with you some of my favorite systems, items, and things to remember!

STORAGE

The most fabulous project I have ever run across on Pinterest, hands down, has to be this one. There are SO many variations of this lurking around. WHERE DO YOU PUT ALL THOSE SCHOOL PAPERS? With four kids and already multiple scrapbooks in the works, I opted for this option and I couldn’t be happier. It’s cheap, it’s simple, it is actually maintainable. For more details and how to’s check out this post.

CLASS STORE

We have been doing our class store for three years now. Throughout our school days the kids have chances to earn sticks, which are colored popsicle sticks from Lakeshore Learning. I give 3 sticks for a 100% paper, 2 sticks for an A, and 1 stick for a B. I will also give sticks for good behavior, random games, etc. For Emma, my 1st grader, she earns sticks for neatness, books read, etc. Once a month the kids go shopping in the class store. They can spend their sticks or keep them. It’s like a mini Chuck E Cheese redemption counter.

I stock the class store with clearance deals. Grandma helps a ton. I am always on the look out for things throughout the year. It is amazing what you find when you start looking. Even the $1 spot at Target goes 75% off.

I have also been known to randomly stock the store with real money, a free chore coupon, or a voucher for a date with mom or dad.

It’s a magnificent system that has worked really well for us and it provides me a great use for my sparkly silver box!

THE IN BOX

One of my very favorite, simple, and lifesaving items. The inbox! I purchased this at Ikea for about $10. Each of the kids have a place to put completed papers that still need correcting and my review. When I am ready to get to them, I know that they are there, ready and waiting.

Just For Fun

Do you use a timer in the classroom? Next time, use your phone and surprise your munchkins by picking a fun song to be the times up alarm instead of a boring beep. My First Grader enjoyed her math drills a whole lot more when the theme from Sponge Bob was her ending signal!

Out of space? Get creative-we took an under the stairs closet and turned it into a 1st grade mini classroom for my daughter. Complete with the big bright colorful posters that I didn’t want to stare at in my front room everyday- ALL THE TIME. It became a great secret hiding school spot. Many a math lesson is taught in that closet!

Pack your kids lunch in a lunch box, make them a surprise crazy lunch, give them an award just because, make a candy jar and give them one piece of candy for a job well done.

Do you do PE? Get them a PE uniform.

Get a hall pass and make them use it to go to the restroom.

Switch your school space around every few months. A change of pace can be so refreshing.

Stalk Craigslist until you find an old set of lockers. Get ’em and spray paint them a fun color.

If you do grades, make a big ‘ol deal out of them. We post them on the board every couple of months and leave them up for a day or two. Did you know that Krispy Kreme gives out a free donut for every A earned? Just bring in your report card or progress report! {Make sure and check with your local Krispy Kreme to verify the deal in your area.}

What is a favorite tip or system of yours?

Happy Homeschooling!