We have teamed up with some of our good friends to do an election unit. While we were visiting my dear friend Katie let me snap some pictures of her adorable and very functional homeschool classroom. After much deliberation (i.e. after we compared every shade of green paint chip at Lowe's) she decided to paint it an apple green since it is soothing and reduces anxiety. Green also enhances creativity making it the perfect choice for a classroom! O.K. her fantastic husband Todd actually did the painting...but choosing the color may have actually taken more time...LOL!
Katie gave each boy their own area which she personalized with their name in spelled out in wooden letters.Her dad built a fantastic fold up desk for each of the older boys which maximizes the space in the room. Each desk can be folded up to be used as a chalkboard or down for a work area. Each activity bin (IKEA) has their work for the day along with a small smiley face held on by velcro. As each boy finishes the work in their bin they remove the smiley face and place it on the big smiley face above their activity bin.
Katie has three boys ages 2, 5, and 7, and if any of you remember the 2's you know she has her hands full trying to keep Mr. Alec productively busy and learning while instructing the other two. Alec's area has a smaller table. He was very excited to show off his activity bins to me:) Instead of a desk he has a small table.
Katie also put a work table in the center of the room for group work, art and games. Just behind Cason and Elle there is a large bookcase with all of their most used books and supplies as well as some toys for Alec.
Here is their word work area!
The boy's chore 'chart' is actually in the family room, but I wanted to include it. Each boy has a pocket and Katie simply places their chores for the day in their pocket. She placed a picture as well as the task on each chore card.
She also put up rain gutters next to each of the older boy's bunk beds to hold their books. They really hold a lot and were quite inexpensive to install! These would be great in a homeschool room too!
What do you love most about your homeschool room or area? Send me your best pics and I will post them to share with others! If you would like some more information about work bins check out the amazing Erica over at Confessions of a Homeschooler.