School Closet Makeover

School Closet Makeover

 I’m so excited to show you my new closet space. It is working out wonderfully. 

BEFORE:

Problems with the area:

I had a table in there with two racks up on top.

My problem was the table was always filled with stuff that I did not get to use it.

The two racks were to high for me to reach certain things. Ahem.. 

TOO MUCH STUFF

So I set to work after I had just cleaned and rearranged the school room only to have the closet throw up all over the room. I was determined to have everything in it’s place.

AFTER:

Solutions:

Removed table

Added lower shelving 

Gathered together bins and color coded and labeled them.

I apparently had a color scheme going on of Pink and Green and didn’t even know it.  How fun! 

I painted my Ikea boxes to match the color scheme and I was on a roll! I found the lower bins in the girls room that we had empty. Side Note: We just organized a whole room for their clothes so the bins were extra. (I will save that for another post.)  

Once I purged out the things we were not using. I freed up space and labeled. I love labeling! My cute little Tot School/Preschool velcro circles I made from Carisa and Jolanthe’s websites. I just printed them out and laminated and Viola! 

Look I even had green binders! LOL 

I think I like green.  I also had the clear bins with various art supplies and some other preschool materials. Seasonal Stuff and board games went on the top shelf because I don’t need to be able to reach it all the time. I placed my wall organizer on the back of the door with those great sticky hooks. It displays various schedules. The polka dot bins on the floor are all tot friendly. I have various puzzles, blocks and bean bags.

I placed my sample Tot Schedule in the front of my file folder box. I just need to glance at it if I get distracted.  It’s right there. I am still adjusting a couple of the bins but am overall happy with the area. The closet is a nice tidy workable space now. 

So here is a quick break down of what I have where. I will go from bottom to top.

Bottom Floor: Tot friendly toy bins

Shelf- Long Paper, big puzzles, File Folder games

Next Shelf- Row of Bins- Extra Binders, Magnetic dolls bin, Tot & Preschool Bins

Next 2 shelves- Bill Holder, Stamps, Envelopes, Our Favorite Videos "What's In The Bible?" Tot School Planning and Nature Studies

Next Shelf up: Art Bins , Fine Motor Skill Bin, and Papers to File

Top Shelf: Math Card Games, Board Games, Seasonal, Leapsters, and Misc. Art Supplies

  

Voice Recording & A Favorite Field Trip

I can not believe I forgot to share this. A couple of months ago, my oldest daughter and a friend were able to do a voice recording for a local historical museum.  We took a drive over to the next county and walked downtown.  When we walked to the recording studio I could tell someone was getting a little nervous. She was very excited though. Mr. "C" was a pro at this. 

THE SCENE 

DD played a daughter of a Governor during the Civil War period.  She was pretending to have tea with her doll and conversing with her brother. 

and ACTION

When DD was asked "Do you know how to clang your tea set for a sound effect?"  She promptly told them “No mommy doesn’t let us play with them.” Ummm How do you recover from that? I replied “Uhhh,  hhaa err we have been practicing all week dear...” Remember? (BTW Which is True) Ugh,  but wanting to crawl under the table and explain that we do have a baby and tots so we don’t get the tea sets out frequently,  but really it didn’t matter. Right? 

At any rate I digress... She and Mr. "C" did great with their recording! Everyone was wonderful to work with as well.  The Cherry on Top was visiting their favorite person , which would be Daddy at work! Whohoo! 

Thanks “S” Family for going with us! I am so glad the kiddos did this together! It will be forever recorded at The Rose Hill Manor if you are ever over there. Press the recording in the kids room and you will hear my Homeschooled Kid! 

Write Shop~TOS Review

I received this product for review right when we needed it.  Write Shop is an incremental writing program written by Nancy Sanders with additional materials by Kim Kautzer.   

  In the introduction Nancy breaks down choosing the best lesson plan for you and your student if you have a student who is more advanced in their grade level the will work faster.

For book B is ideal for

A first grader working at or above grade level.

A second grader

A third grader or older working below grade level  or who learns with difficulty. 

To determine your child's placement this chart will help.

Each lesson plan walks you through activities that will guide you into success. Each lesson includes about 8 activities depending on your student.

Each Activity Set includes Guided Writing Practice.  Activity Sets 2-8 also include a key activity or project.

Activity Set 1: Guided Writing Practice only

Activity Set 2: Pre-writing Activities and Picture Book

Activity Set 3: Brainstorming

Activity Set 4: The Writing Project 

Activity Set 5: Editing and Revising

Activity Set 6: Activity Set Worksheet

Activity Set 7: Publishing the Project 

Activity Set 8: Want To Do More?

There is some prep work involved with these lessons. I find that most writing programs have some sort of prep work involved. WriteShop primary did not leave me hanging for information. The book shows what materials you need on hand before each lesson.  To balance multi levels Nancy has written out a flow chart for a suggested week.  I found this book to be beneficial to our homeschool. Write Shop Products extended up through the Junior level (ages 8-10) , middle school, and high school. 

Write Shop Primary B  is currently sale price $29.95 print edition

digital e-book pdf $26.95

Activity Worksheet pack is currently sale price $4.95 print and digital $4.50 

Write Shop is offering my readers a 15%  any WriteShop Primary and Junior products

just enter in the coupon code: CREW15.  Offer valid through June 15, 2012.

To see what other TOS Crew Members had to say hop on over to the TOS HOMESCHOOL CREW 

Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Crew, I received this product, at no cost to me, in exchange for my
honest review. All opinions are mine