Ask HSF! Archives

Dear HSF!

I keep hearing from other homeschoolers about something called “workboxes”? Can you explain what these are and how they can help homeschooling families?
--Homeschool Mom

Dear Homeschool Mom,
Workboxes are tools for homeschool organization made popular in a book by a homeschooling mom, Sue Patrick. Each child gets his/her own box with everything he/she needs to complete in a single day contained in the box. It's supposed to include books, worksheets, supplies such as markers or tape, math manipulatives, EVERYTHING they need to complete their work that day.

The child works through the day’s box and knows exactly what is expected with little guidance needed from mom or dad. Some parents love it, especially those with little ones they need to keep on task and busy. For pre-schoolers the boxes can be filled with puzzles, books, toys etc. The downside is that it requires substantial effort on the part of the parent to ensure the box is filled each day with all appropriate materials. For more info on this system see the workbox website.

I'd love to get a product review if any HSF! readers have used this system.

I also recently read about a variation on this theme. Get a big sturdy tote bag (like the LL Bean boat bags) for each child and fill it daily with zip locks or folders with daily activities. Your kids can pick up and move with their bags to another room or to the car, and still have their “classroom” with them.

Editor