Sunday, August 8, 2010

Our Homeschool Room

Not Back to School Blog Hop

This week on the Not Back-to-School Blog Hop is a tour of our Homeschool Room.

For us, that space would be our small family room. Luckily this room is on the opposite side of the house from our living room so if someone happens to stop by they won't see the huge mess of books and papers, because the room is rarely as clean as they are here.

This is probably my favorite room in the house, it's small so it seems cozy, and it's got lots of windows so it's always bright (too bright when you are trying to take pictures).

It's right off the kitchen so it's convenient, and central to where we spend alot of time.
This is where we store most of our books, games, and manipulatives that we use everyday. I have two 8ft bookcases in another part of the house where the rest of our books are kept.

More books are kept in this entertainment center turned homeschool book storage center. In the basket on top we keep library books (away from little hands), and our index card box for our scripture memory system. And in the bottom drawers is craft supplies.

This shelf holds all of our school supplies. In the pull out drawers are nature coloring books, drawing books, and draw.write.now books. On the second shelf from the bottom is Ryan's shelf (our 2yr old), he has his own paper, coloring books, and dry erase board. Plus he has own washable markers, colors and dry erase colors. On the bottom shelf I plan to add things for him to keep him busy while we do school, like toys, playdoh, rice tray and such.

Here's our little table and computer. We have the cd player here for audio books and music. Usually it's covered with books and papers. We have another chair but Ryan can reach the table better with the stool, so it happens to be here today. Also the curtains are usually open but had to close them to take the picture, makes it look kinda dark and closed in though.

And this is our DIY chalkboard coffee table. It is usually covered in chalky scribbles.

We have a fireplace in here, which is good because it's the farthest room from the AC/Heating unit so in the winter it gets cool. I love to do school by the fire, and maybe even roast a marshmallow or two. I also display the art prints we study on the mantle.

One of our 'modified for us' workbox systems. We just started using this, this year and my kids love it. It's especially helpful to my 13yo organizationally challenged child., wish I'd discovered this years ago.

And here's another view of the room with maps, dry erase board, posters, and another workbox.

And this is not a great pic but right outside our homeschool room we have a large deck, so you might find us out here in the fall or spring. We also do our messy experiments and crafts here, bird watch, and in the fall have wiener roasts on the fire pit. We have another picnic table in the yard where we sometimes bring some school work.

Well thats it for our school space. Not very big, not very fancy...but we've created alot of memories in this small space and can't wait to create more this year.

37 comments:

Trina said...

Your DIY chalkboard coffee table idea is an AWESOME one!!! I NOW so want a fireplace in my school room!!! I love all your ideas and your space is so well used. Thanks for sharing. Have a blessed week sweetie.

Deb said...

I LOVE that chalkboard table! I am totally stealing that idea - I think my kids would love it. And a deck and backyard right off the schoolroom - that just looks wonderful!

Jen@Scrapingirl said...

That chalkboard table is awesome!!!

Anonymous said...

Your space is awesome! I love the table! You rock!

Nicole said...

Love the chalkboard table!

Marsha said...

I'm going to join the other posters and say that the chalkboard table is great! I also love the couches in the room. So nice to curl up and read on! Thanks for the tour.

Carrie said...

I love the light, airy feel to the room! How great to have such big windows there!

I also love the verse at the top of your blog. Psalm 127 is the foundational verse for our homeschool.

Blessings to you as you begin a new year ... I hope it's your best yet!

Sandra said...

I agree that the feel of your school area says family and comfort. You have great ideas on how you implemented your school room.

I love the outdoor area you have and we too love nature.

Unknown said...

What a wonderful room! You've done a great job. :)

Lora @ my blessed life said...

I love your space! The windows and easy outdoor access are so nice! It is a very inviting room.

Four Little Penguins said...

I love the table and the fireplace and the easily accessible deck!

Erin said...

Beautiful space! I especially love the chalkboard table, the fireplace guard, and your yard!! How fun and creative :-)

Amy said...

We have a new DIY chalkboard at our house... we're all loving it! Thanks for sharing your space. :)

Nichole said...

That's a terrific room! I love the chalkboard table, too. :) Have a great year!!

Joelle said...

I love cozy, I love your space. It is very nicely organized. Thanks for sharing.

Jenny said...

Awesome chalkboard table! I like your light and bright room! That's how ours is, we use the breakfast room.

Joey said...

Love the chalkboard table and the outdoor space.

MamaGames - Alexa C. said...

Oh! Your room is so cozy with the two couches and fireplace and the fabulous chalk-coffee-table. I love this and I'd love to curl up here and learn with the kids.

Have a great year!

Tina Hollenbeck said...

Love the chalkboard - I may have to figure out something similar! I also love that you have cozy furniture in your school room; we are always using our couches for read-alouds, etc. Hope you can stop by my place (#40 on this week's list): http://tinahollenbeck.blogspot.com/2010/08/not-back-to-school-blog-hop-school-room.html.

Catherine said...

What a beautiful, comfortable, cozy place to love and to learn in. Thanks for sharing your ideas. I agree, the chalkboard table is brilliant!

Pastorette's Progress said...

Love the idea of doing school by the fire and roasting marshmallows. Love the couch and the deck too!!!! Happy homeschooling!

AmyF said...

I love that DIY Chalkboard Table! Your room looks great. It looks like you have purpose for everything-thanks for sharing

Jenn said...

How does your workbox system work? Do you have one per child so things don't get mixed up?

Jenn

Angela said...

Love that coffee table chalkboard! Very nice space, have a great year!

Angela

Mary said...

I love the chalkboard coffee table! That is so cool and fun!!!

Have a great school year :)

Mary

Carrie said...

Your room is PERFECT! Happy Year to you!

Amanda said...

Great room! I'm a homeschool newbie so you will have to excuse my lack of knowledge, but what are workboxes? Is that like where the children put their workbooks and stuff so they keep them together? I must know about this! Have a great school year!

Brenda said...

I love that it looks so much like a HOME. But it's not your living room! That's great! Very cozy.

A Stable Beginning said...

Love your space, it's so open an airy! That chalkboard table is brilliant!!! Have a great school year!

Denise said...

This is great! It does look cozy, and I just LOVE that coffee table!

Brooke said...

Love the chalk board coffee table. What a fun idea!

Lins said...

I would LOVE to have a fireplace in the school room. So cozy. Looks great!

MissMOE said...

Weiner roast and reading by the fireside sound so lovely. What a wonderful space--I love the bookshelf with the doors at the bottom.

Sparklee said...

What an inviting, cozy space for learning!

I really like your version of workboxes--we're going to experiment with workboxes this year on Fridays (our independent work days.)

Reading in front of the fire sounds wonderful--you are creating memories there!

Amy @ Jesus, Coffee & Fitness said...

I absolutely love the chalk board coffee table! What a great idea. I love your rooms and what a great VIEW for doing work! AWESOME!

Unknown said...

I'm in love with the coffee table. I wonder if you can make a dry erase board coffee table? Wouldn't that be cool? I love you room. Having school by a fire sounds so picture perfect. I love that ya'll can go out on a deck to do outside work as well. Great room!

Candace said...

The location of your schoolroom in your house seems so perfect!
Like everyone else...I too, LOVE the chalk board table!