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I am slightly overwhelmed by the three boxes LOADED with books. How do I get organized and ready to begin?

What did you get? It can seem like a lot when it all comes at once. Just realize that you do not use everything at once. Here is a simple way to get organized. Read the introduction to the manual and then look at the first week or two to see what books are immediately used. Then what I do is put the books that will be used for the first month or so in one place and store the rest away where kids know not to touch them so that I can get to them when I need them. When you get beyond that point there are more organizational tips you can find on the board but that will help with the feeling like what do I do with all this stuff. It can be a lot especially if you ordered more than one program. But you will see in using it that it is actually very easy to manage and very well laid out. Praying it blesses your family.

I got a pack of the colored circle stickers from Walmart that you use for yard sales and the like. I color coded all my books and materials. I put a green sticker on the spine and front of my manual. I put green stickers on all the spines of the books and resources used with that program. For my other program, I used a different color. When things are on the shelf or stored away for another year, it will be easy to determine which books go with which manual.
hth,
Laura

I got a pack of the colored circle stickers from Walmart that you use for yard sales and the like. I color coded all my books and materials. I put a green sticker on the spine and front of my manual. I put green stickers on all the spines of the books and resources used with that program. For my other program, I used a different color. When things are on the shelf or stored away for another year, it will be easy to determine which books go with which manual.
hth,
Laura

We have Little Hearts and Bigger hearts with extensions and drawn into the heart of reading.

I have everything laid out for Little, that was easy.

But figuring everything out for two kids in Bigger is a little more fun. I am trying to figure out what books go with what and when we use them and what I need to get from the library!

Ok that answer is really what Laura posted. It really helps to color code the books by program when you are running more than one. Then after you get that you can add a code for what section it goes into, like history or storytime. Then for anything I had in DITHR I wrote the reading level on the spine. Some kind of system like that which works well with your brain is a great one. Then I would get them all laid out and look in the front where it lists what is needed and check off to make sure you have it all. If you are using the library for anything circle those and look to see when they are needed so you can request them on time. DITHR if you are using the library for that decide which genre you will start with and select a book on that. I made copies of the student book for the genres we are using and comb bound them. I am using the book for multiple children and you are allowed to copy within the same family so you can make copies if you wish.

I also put the programs in their own little tote basket. I kept the current books we are reading in the basket and store the rest away so it is easy to just find what you need. I am not strong on organization so I know you will get better replies but just offering what has worked for me.

Another vote for Laura's plan. It makes it easy to see at a glance what books I need for each program I own.

Wow...Laura had a great idea! Must.steal.that! LOL