Workboxes and larger families

I’ve seen the workbox system and thought it’s intriguing in some ways, but yet it seems to go opposite of my goal of having my children be self directed, if I’m having to set it up each night (or even each week). Maybe, it’s just me, but it seems like it would just add too much more work for me.

I only have 4 kids, but I can’t imagine filling boxes daily, even for just the 2 school age kids. We do have magazine file boxes for each of the school age kids – one for math, one for all LA stuff, one for their current personal books, one for odd things, etc. So when we’re ready for math, they grab the appropriate box. I also make a chart that tells them what they should be doing throughout the day. It is in the order I set up, but we are a bit flexible with the order. On the side of the chart is a suggestion list of games and whatnot to do if they have free time. We’ve been successful with this chart and using the CM Organizer to track our days and it hasn’t given me anything extra to set up. 

I can see how the workboxes could be useful in certain situations, but for me, I don’t think it would be worth the extra work it would entail. I know many people love the workbox system and have modified it to fit their family. I guess, in essence, I do the same thing, but with a simple chart that takes no space at all.

Best wishes on making a system that works for you,

Christie

One of the big things with workboxes, is that you can put everything that is needed for each activity into the box – but if you keep everything organized, that probably isn’t a big deal…

The main benefit for workboxes (besides helping independant work) is that it is VERY visual and that helps some kids more than a paper list.

So – how do workboxes work?  Well, there is the “official” system, and then there are a meriad of variations out there.

Simply, (for the mostly official method), you have 12 boxes for each child with a number on them.  Your child goes and gets the 1st box, and does the item in it.  They put the empty box on the floor beside them, and their finished stuff in the marking pile.  They continue, and as their work gets done, they can see the progress.  Most people put in some fun boxes (a puzzle, or lego, or a snack…)   There is also a schedule strip (or grid) that the numbers go on, and you can have more activity cards.  Some people use the schedule strip, some don’t.   There are “Work with Mom” cards for boxes that you will need them to work with you – and there are Help cards that they can use to get help on the others…. you are supposed to limit the kids to 3….  so that they think before asking for help.   The official system has stations and stuff too, but we haven’t bought the book, so I am not sure how that works.

We use a basic file box with hanging folders.  I have some cards to go and get items from vaious “holding stations” – but they don’t get used a lot – but that is what I would do with a project that doesn’t fit.

As for extra work, for me it doesn’t take too much… I look at our next day’s schedule on the Organizer, and make a pile of what is needed.  My kids fill the fileboxes.  Sometimes I add in a surprise later.   I still love tht we can just grab everything and go if we need/want.