I once had a conversation with my friend, my former Boss, a Principal of an Elementary School.  While talking about the good ol’ days, she said, “So when will you come back and be my VP again?”

It’s been 6 years since I left.  Some days, when the going got really tough, I seriously considered going back.  And that was just teaching ONE kid!

This school year, I might have those “going back” thoughts again though.  With THREE school-aged kids, plus a baby, it really will be a homeschool challenge for me – and for the kids.

So I’ve been stressing about the start of the homeschool year (tentative start date – September 8th).  I finally have all our Student and Teacher books.  I’ve started organizing the Lesson Plan Binders.  And, I’ve even arranged them all on my new IKEA bookshelves!

(Don’t they just look so organized and pretty and like I know what I’m doing?)

What I’m most excited for this year, however, is OUR NEW WORKBOXES!  I happened upon this system from reading Confessions of A Homeschooler.  After some “Googling,” apparently, many homeschoolers use this method!

I used to just have a checklist for my daughter, but I’m thinking that won’t work very well with a 1st grader and Pre-K boy.  So, I’m giving Workboxes a try this year.

From what I read, using Workboxes is a great system when your homeschool has multiple grade levels.  The kids can keep track of their work more easily and work more independently.  More importantly, it keeps mom (aka The Teacher) on track for each kid too.

Did you see that?  I’ve got (Free) WORKBOX SCHEDULES, LABELS, AND CHART PRINTABLES in the works!  I’m just waiting for my laminating machine to come in the mail.  I want to laminate the labels and charts before putting them up so that they’ll last all year long (hopefully longer)!

We’ll be using the Seville Classics 15.5-Inch by 15.4-Inch by 38.2-Inch 10 Drawer Organizer Cart for 3 reasons:

1. It will help make sure I don’t OVERLOAD my kids everyday – especially the 6th grader. I think having 10 subjects/activities is doable.
2. I like the WIDE size to make sure everything will fit.
3. WHITE looks so much cleaner and organized, IMHO.  (But if you like to color-code, there’s the Seville Classics 10-Drawer Organizer Cart, Multi Color, albeit narrower, for you to try too.)

So anyway, can you tell I’m excited?  So are the kids.  They want to fill the workboxes with stuff already.  But I told them there’s going to be some rules about the use of our workboxes.  They’re okay with that.  They just really want to start already!  (That’s a good thing, right?)

Lastly, just for fun, I made this photo on my phone the other day.  I really like the message…

Yep.  I’m thinking…HOMESCHOOL MOTTO.  Maybe I’ll just go ahead and print this out, laminate it, and hang it on the wall too.  (One in front of each kid’s desk, maybe?)  I’m definitely considering it!

If you homeschool, what system are you using this year? If you use workboxes, I’d love to hear some advice for this workbox newbie!