What's a Workbox System and Do I Need One?
It was toward the end of last year that I started seeing the phrase "workboxes" pop up on homeschooling messageboards and blogs. I had no idea what they were, so I started investigating.
Basically, workboxes are an organizational system used with any curriculum that helps foster independent work habits and a well-structured school day.
Well I have to admit that our school day needed some organization after adding a fifth kid into the mix this past year. So I read up on the workbox system and put it to use in our homeschool. Since there is so much out there (on the web) regarding workboxes, I thought I'd share what I've found and what our personal experience is using Sue's system.
Getting Started
This system was developed by Sue Patrick, a homeschool mom from North Carolina. In her book she states that this system was birthed from the need to help her autistic child achieve his highest educational potential. What she found was that all types of learners are benefitting from this system. Not only are the children benefitting, but the family as well, because their homeschool day is running smoother and they are accomplishing more in their day. Her book explains the reasoning behind the system, how to set-up the system in your household, and gives practical ideas and activities to implement along with your workbox system.
Sue Patrick's Workbox System A User's Guide
Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 11/28/2009) 
Setting Up Workboxes
The basis of the system is to have 12 workboxes for each student. Each workbox holds one activity that the child is to do that day.These boxes are stored on shelves or on a shoe rack. Since each box is numbered, the child knows what needs to be completed and in which order. For more detailed information, see Sue's book.
Many homeschoolers have tweeked this set-up using other containers as workboxes (see A Peek Into the School Room for examples).
-- Repurposed Cereal Boxes
-- Sterlite plastic drawer carts
-- Hanging file folders
-- Magazine holders
-- Wall Pockets
-- Notebooks
Besides seeing the workboxes, each child has a schedule strip. The schedule strip reinforces the workbox order, and also allows the teacher to place additional schedule cards for activities that won't fit in the boxes on the strip (ie. take a 15min. break, jump-rope for 10min.) The child matches the number on the schedule strip to the box and by the end of the day, all the tags should be removed from the schedule strip and all the boxes empty.
Schedule Cards and Numbers Printables
When you order the book you will have access to all the printables you need to get started. Sometimes though, you might need a specific type of card or just want something different. Here are a few free printables for the schedule cards and the number cards that I have come across while learning more about workboxes:Circle Tags by Cassie -pictured right
Workbox Tags and Cards from Homeschool Creations
Workbox Schedule Extras from Homeschool Share
Timer Cards from Homeschool Share
Schedule Cards by 1+1+1=1
Dinosaur Workbox Numbers
Farm Workbox Numbers
Tools Workbox Numbers
Constructions Workbox Numbers
Tractor Workbox Numbers
Pirate Workbox Numbers
Army Workbox Numbers
A Peek Into the School Room
Looking around the web, many homeschoolers are sharing what the Workbox System looks like in their home. Some use the system as-is, and others have modified it to work with their family's specific needs.Cassie's set-up with Ikea shelving & Itso boxes
Maureen's (that's me) traditional set-up
Tristan's set-up using magazine holders
Ruby Slippers School using file folders
Fenced in Family using work pockets for small spaces
Wayzley Academy's set-up using 3-drawer units
KGB That's Me's set-up using Sterlite rolling carts
Jolanthe's set-up using folders (neat idea!)
Merry's set-up using tower drawers
The Reed Family using file folders
Classic Housewife using banker's boxes
RanDoM Happenings of Us also using banker's boxes
What to Put in Workboxes
In our household we fill the workboxes a little differently. I have eight workboxes for each child(instead of 12), and I only put independent activities in the boxes. We do Bible, history reading and literature read-alouds together. Then after we have done all our group work, the kids work on their boxes independently. We also don't do workboxes every day, nor do I fill all eight workboxes everyday. We skip co-op days. Here are a couple of examples of what you might find in my kids' workboxes:10yr. old daughter: Individual Bible assignment, math, jump rope card, history notebook project, reading, a history craft, journal, individual game.
9yr. old son: handwriting, math, practice piano card, phonics, ed. computer game, reading, science notebook, shoot hoops
7yr. old daughter: handwriting, read to mom, math, learning game, phonics, lapbook based on read aloud book (FIAR), jump rope,
2/12 yr. old daugher (works great with toddlers!): book to be read to, a puzzle, a fine motor skill activitiy (i.e. lacing cards), play outside with a sibling, a simple craft, some sort of song or chant activity.
Organizing and tracking all the materials that have been used with the workboxes can be challenging at times. Having a system in place makes the job of filling and tracking materials go so much smoother. Here are a couple ways to keep track of items to use and to keep track of what goes in the boxes:
- Honey from Sunflower Schoohouse organizes her materials in Rubbermaid totes.
- Another option is a file-card system. Write workbox ideas on index cards and file behind the appropriate divider. When you need ideas as what to put in the box for a particular subject or theme, glance through the cards in the index card box for ideas.
- Rhonda shares how she keeps track of what is in the workboxes by using Homeschool Tracker Software
More "What to Put in the Box" Ideas
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Filling Your Workboxes
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Workboxes are a brilliant solution for homeschool organization! In a nutshell, you fill 12 (or less) workboxes each day with your student's lessons. They progress through the boxes, doing one lesson at a time. every so often, depending on your child'...
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Toddler Workbox Ideas
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As I mentioned in my Working the Workboxes article, I am a mom of 5 kids ranging from 11yrs. old to 1yr. old. I originally implemented the workbox system for my older kids, but my two-year old kept asking for hers. When I thought about it, I knew it...
Printable Activities for Workboxes
Here are some links from around the web that would work well with workboxes. Now the goal isn't to just put anything in the boxes just to keep the kids busy, but rather meaningful activities for the child.Homeschool Share's Workboxable Section --tons of printables!
File Folder Fun
Homeschool Creations Printables
Spell Outloud Printables
Sunflower Schoolhouse's Printables
Instant File-Folder Games for Reading: Super-Fun, Super-Easy Reproducible Games That Help Kids Build Important Reading Skills-Independently!
Amazon Price: $8.63 (as of 11/28/2009)
Colorful File Folder Games: Grade K: Skill-building Center Activities for Language Arts and Math (Colorful Game Books Series)
Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 11/28/2009)
File Folder Science Activities (Science Activities File Folder, Grades 1-2)
Amazon Price: (as of 11/28/2009)
Carson-Dellosa Publishing Science File Folder Game, Grades 2-3
Amazon Price: $50.25 (as of 11/28/2009)
Centers and Interactive Poster Ideas
Sue also mentions using centers and interactive posters as an educational activity. So instead of just putting up posters with the hope that it just "might" sink in, engage the kids! For instance, if you purchase two of the same posters, you could cut one and make a matching activity. Here are some lenses to help you brainstorm ideas:
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Posters for Teaching
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Posters are colorful and inspiring works of art that draw student's attention to the subject being taught. Posters don't have to be just wall decoration. Posters can be used to highlight vocabulary being taught, visually organize student'...
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Interactive Bulletin Boards
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Bulletin Boards can be more than just decoration on the wall. By making it interactive, a bulletin board can become another center in your classroom. You will find bulletin boards to teach math at calendar time and word walls for learning to read and...
There are so many daily updates, blog posts, and tweets about workboxes that it all won't fit on this lens. Each week a featured blogger will be posted. To see what others are saying about what they put in their boxes, how they are using the system, or how their day is going using workboxes, click on the picture. Other Workbox-Related Sites
- A Comprehensive Review of the Workbox System
- Kari, from the The Snail's Trail has compiled websites and photos of the workbox system.
- Yahoo Workbox Groups
- Several online groups that share workbox ideas.
- Ideas for the Workbox
- A blog dedicated to workbox ideas.
- Fun Filled Weekly Workboxes Meme
- Bloggers can post links that showcase what they are doing with their workboxes.
- Workbox Users
- Workbox Users is a Ning social networking site. You can post and see what others are doing with workboxes.
- TOS Crew Reviews
- The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew has multiple reviews of this system by their team. This link will bring you to a link list of all the team reviews.
- Workbox Directory - Heart of Wisdom
- Robin has compiled a directory of workbox users that blog.
Don't Forget
The workbox system is just that---a system. It is a tool to use in this educational journey.
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Comments, Thoughts, Suggestions? I'm All Ears!
(and if you like it, rate it please :) )
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Reply
- puzzlemaker puzzlemaker Oct 24, 2009 @ 6:32 pm
- I'm feeling very umm...disorganized about now...LOL! I love this idea. Now if I could just get organized enough to be organized. 5*'s from me.
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- mbgphoto mbgphoto Oct 23, 2009 @ 10:11 pm
- I agree with OhMe I can see other uses for these work boxes! well done. 5*
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- Jewelsofawe Jewelsofawe Oct 20, 2009 @ 11:12 pm
- I thought of homeschooling my girls but never did and now they are almost done with school. Nice lens!
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Reply
- OhMe OhMe Oct 18, 2009 @ 2:53 am
- Oh me! I need Workboxes in my office to get me organized and certainly appreciate all this wonderful information. Thank you.
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- LindaJM LindaJM Oct 14, 2009 @ 12:37 am
- A very cool idea! I featured it on my homeschool lens. 5* and blessed...
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