Free Homeschool Organization
One of the most important parts of beginning to teach your children at home is deciding how to organize your homeschool supplies.
Keeping all of the books and supplies in one place is only half the battle. Are your materials easy to reach for? Can you easily find and use what you have? Is there a way that you can know at all times if you have enough materials?
This blog post will share where I get free organizational supplies that are fun to use as well as some tips about how I organize.
- Identifying your homeschool space
- Creating a school room in any home
- Where I get free supplies
- Deciding what to teach for the homeschool year
- Where to keep art supplies
- Keeping school supplies on hand
First thing is to identify where your homeschool space is. I have a small corner of my home where I keep my bookshelf and a drawer system.
I try to keep everything bright and colorful. My drawer system can be easily assembled in one day and is very useful. Any school supplies that are not heavy may be kept at an arm’s reach in this drawer system.
If you are very organized you can use this to implement a color coding system for your educational activities and lessons. I use a homeschool organizer that is color coded at times but not consistently throughout the year.
Keep this place for only homeschool. I don’t allow the children or any other family members to contaminate this space. This space is only for homeschool supplies.
I have been a homeschooling mom for about 10 years. One thing I know is that if you are not organized, it makes life so much harder. Getting ready for any school is much more than just back to school shopping.
Creating a school room
Everyone does not have a 5 bedroom house. Now we know that more is not always more. Some of our greatest minds have come from homeschooling parents. Some of our most brilliant have completed their education in a one room schoolhouse.
Rather than think of making a mini classroom in your home, think about creating an environment conducive to learning.
That may mean a whiteboard with a colorful border. It may mean a backdrop that you put up only for homeschool.
No matter where you teach your children make sure they are surrounded by peace, colors and the tools they need to learn.
I don’t know any child who is averse to practicing math outside with manipulatives like rocks and sticks. Get creative!
You can also read about some homeschool games that I love to offer to my children.
Deciding what to teach for the homeschool year
Once you decide what you want to teach, only keep those materials out.
Try to put away or store old books and materials, future materials and reference materials.
I keep my entire selection of homeschool materials close by but away from what I have designated for the school year.
I have three children so it takes a lot of planning. If you are like me it can get complicated if you don’t see what you need right in front of you.
Where to keep art supplies
A safe place where the supplies are going to be kept in good condition is best.
As a homeschooling mom, organizing and storing art supplies can be a challenging yet rewarding task.
From paints and brushes to scissors and glue, the array of materials can quickly accumulate.
However, thinking creatively can help maximize storage solutions.
Utilizing everyday items like mason jars, shoe organizers, and clear plastic bins can keep everything in order and easily accessible. A thread rack can also be used to hold spools of colorful threads or even other small items.
You should also think about storage conditions, as sunlight, heat, and water can damage your supplies.
For example, you don’t want to keep your paints near a hot window. The sun will destroy the quality and fade the colors.
Try to keep all paints and colored papers in a dry dark place. This way they will last longer.
With my liquid paints I keep them upright and plan to shake or mix them in the bottle once a month so they don’t settle and stale or harden.
This can happen once they have been opened and there is more space in the bottle.
Art supplies are the fun part of homeschool and can be very attractive to purchase. Knowing this it can be really easy for homeschool families to encourage over buying.
Pinterest is your friend. Decide on what projects you will do for the year. Planning at least 3 months at a time.
Once you have decided to literally only buy what is needed for those crafts. Unless it is .25 do not buy random supplies. You’ll have a warehouse of junk in your homeschool space before you know it!
Where I get free supplies
Hands down my best find ever was the free candy boxes at Sam’s Club. They are bright and sturdy and most importantly free!
On most days you can find them near the exit stacked up in a bin. Take some that might make a nice shelf top book holder or a floor basket for art or outdoor supplies. I use mine on shelves to hold groupings of textbooks.
These also look great in kids’ rooms as decor.
I also took time to go to a bunch of ‘Back to School’ events in my town. Churches and businesses had giveaways starting from August going into September. Take advantage!
The last place I look is for defunct retail and offices. Find where someone is moving or cleaning out an office. Plenty are after the pandemic as more people work from home.
They are always looking for someone to haul off everything from paper, desks, small items and chairs. I actually got my GRE flash cards from a take a book give a book spot. Free things are everywhere! I don’t wait to teach my children an advanced level of vocabulary so we use these often.
Keeping school supplies on hand
Keeping to my advice from what I suggested with art supplies you don’t want to hoard a bunch of junk.
Keep it simple. If you have never used binder clips before you probably won’t use them in your homeschool. I don’t care if the box is on sale for 10 cents.
Be true to how you organize and if you do try a new system take it slowly. Look at systems or what works for other people and try to find used, free or low cost items to implement before purchasing the farm!
Hope these tips have been helpful. Please let me know in the comments what you have found to be helpful!
Eighty MPH Mom says
Beautifully organized! You don’t need a ton of space to keep supplies organized but you do need a plan. Thanks for this!