Modified Workboxes, A Sample Day

12 is Sue Patrick's number. 12 workboxes to break up the work into smaller, easily managed chunks. I think of each workbox/file folder as about 15-20 minutes worth of work...maybe less for younger children. The original workboxes are plastic shoe-box size tubs. We chose a hanging file folder tub and 12 hanging file folders, as we have limited space and that would be ALOT of little tubs to deal with otherwise!! ;) We use Tapestry of Grace, along with a multitude of other curriculum.

Ok, so let give you a sample day (not a real day for us...I don't have a lesson planner in front of me) for a high schooler:
Workbox/File 1:Geography Map (Pledges and Geography with MOM), 15 minutes
Workbox/File 2:Cozy Grammar DVD Lesson and Worksheet, 20 minutes
Workbox/File 3:Apologia Science book, read pages 25-32, 25 minutes
Workbox/File 4:Apologia Science lab (items in ziploc bag), 20 minutes
Workbox/File 5:VideoText Algebra DVD lesson, 15 minutes
Workbox/File 6:VideoText Algebra Worksheet, 15 minutes
Workbox/File 7:Vocabulary Worksheet, 10 minutes
Workbox/File 8:Spelling with Mom (Sequential Spelling), 10 minutes
Workbox/File 9:The Story of Painting, read pages 25-32, 25 minutes
Workbox/File 10:Gift of Music, read chapter 2, 25 minutes
Workbox/File 11:TOG Student Activity Page-Fine Arts section, 20 minutes
Workbox/File 12:SOS Alabama History, 25 minutes

Not all subjects are covered everyday. And, this is a heavier load than my younger kids have to deal with. No history was covered...just a light geography lesson that day. No writing projects were done. Some subjects (like Fine Arts) are only once a week for the kids...just different days. The workboxes/file folders are labeled with numbers only...no subjects, as day to day that changes.

Here is what a sample Kindergarten day might look like for us:
Workbox/File 1:Geography Map (Pledges and Geography with MOM)
Workbox/File 2:Map Puzzle
Workbox/File 3:Apologia Science book, read pages 25-26
Workbox/File 4:Science worksheet
Workbox/File 5:Developmental Mathematics lesson and worksheet with Mom
Workbox/File 6:Mathematics File Folder Game or Mathematics Flip Book
Workbox/File 7:Phonics Video
Workbox/File 8:Handwriting Workbook (HWT)
Workbox/File 9:ABC Puzzle or www.starfall.com
Workbox/File 10:History-Who Built the Pyramids? Pgs 24-26
Workbox/File 11:Fine Arts-Old Testament Days Pg 32-34
Workbox/File 12:Family Project-Make Egyptian jewelry (items in ziploc bag)

We have a chart on our workboxes. The chart includes all the workbox/file folder numbers, and it also has blank spaces to put tags for other items, such as time on the trampoline, a snack, time on the wii or Nintendo DS, a nature walk...the possibilities are endless!

My preschooler does school work with her siblings...she has since about the age of 2, and she has her very own workbox with 12 hanging folders. Our toddler also has a workbox that has 12 toys in it...we rotate out special school toys that keep him busy. No file folders for him.

If a certain item is used by multiple children (such as a video, dvd, book), then we have a box it goes in, and in that workbox/file folder, we have a photocopy of that item and the kids know where to go to get the item. We are not heavily into worksheets, as we like literature based curriculum.

I am not big into the posters that Sue Patrick likes. I don't have the time or room for something like that. We do file folder games and flip books instead. They take up less room! ;) When it comes to any curriculum, modify it or leave things out, to fit your needs!

I hope this all makes sense and helps you out! :) If you have any questions, feel free to ask!