so workboxes are all the rage...

[mommyofgirls]

and i know nothing about them. are they more for older kids? mine are 5, 3 and 1. instead of wasting tons of time researching them, could someone tell me if they would be at all beneficial for younger kiddos?

[Motherjoy]

I don't have the time, space, or energy to organize something like that.

But I can see it working for people who are more 'structured' than I am.

[lmercon]

Honestly, I think they work better for children a bit older who are able to work independently at some level. It really is a neat concept and one you may want to consider when your kids are a few years older. I have not used the system yet, but I am seriously looking into it. If you google it, you should be able to find it. The author of the program is Sue Patrick. I don't want to include her site here to respect Carrie's wishes that we not promote other products on her site.
hth,
Laura

[Benelli]

I saw this product and listened to the presentation on it at my state convention this past weekend. And, while I thought it was really neat, I don't really see how it would save me much more time. It seems to me that it is just as easy to check off the boxes in my HOD guide(s) and move right along. Most of my kids are still of ages where they need to ask me to explain what they need to do (actually read or explain the directions, etc.) for their next assignment. But, here's what I do for my oldest two using Bigger: I just write a week's worth of their independent work (from the Bigger guide) into their calendars and they check thier list off as they go along, whatever order they want for their independent stuff. Then, once I've checked their work, I just check the box in the guide. I truly think the guide is so concisely written and so well laid out, that for me, it is "workbox" enough already.

So, in their calendar, for instance, I would write:

May 3
Cursive - p. 68
Eng. - p. 232-233
Dictation (with Mom)
Copy Work- 2 lines (they know to copy whatever the current poem is that we are studying)
Math - activity with mom, then p. 100-104
DITHOR - Day 11 reading (last 2 pages with Mom)
Exploring Planet Earth - p. 148-150
Esperanza Rising - Ch. 3

(Those last two lines would be an example of my oldest, who is using extensions. And, these page numbers, etc. are just off the top of my head, but you get he picture.)

So, either Monday morning, or Sunday night, I go to my guide(s), find where we left off, and write in the current week's worth of independent work. If we're taking a day off, I skip that day in their calendar. If there is anything extra, I also put that on the date in their calendars that they are to accomplish it. For instance, Boy Scout project work, Art class homework, pages in a book that has been assigned for extra "character training" reinforcement, etc. It takes me no longer than 10 minutes, once a week to do this!

This is what is working well for us, so I thought it might help someone else. We have a "flow", but not a strict time or order schedule, so to speak. But, I'm glad to know Workboxes are helping some people out there - especially those who don't have such a nicely laid out teacher's guide like HOD's. I mentioned it to the designer of the Workboxes, how HOD is laid out, and they seemed very impressed and interested! They hadn't heard of it before.

[mommyofgirls]

well, good, now i don't feel like i'm "missing something". the "boxes" in the HOD manuals are what drew me to the curriculum in the first place - i think they are laid out so well as it is, i hate to think of jumbling it all up by adding something more complicated.

[funkmomma71]

I read somewhere that a mom had modified the workbox system by using a file box. I'll be trying that with BLHFG, it's really not gonna be much different than what I was doing last year, just a little more organized. Essentially you use a file folder for each subject, or maybe a couple of related subjects, and put the books and material you need for each subject in it's folder and just move through the file box each day. Last year I kept everything in big basket, which was good but it would get somewhat jumbled and I would have dig through it for each book. With the file box, the books and other materials will be in order and easy to find. After school each day I'll simply refill the box with the next day's work and be ready for the next day.

[Geo]

I understand why some moms would be interested in implementing workboxes to help her own organization...
but actually... it was originally designed to help the author's autistic son learn autonomy and responsibility for his studies.
Personally, I utilize a much simpler version of the workboxes in our home (no tags,schedules or charts). Children who struggle
with attention-deficits or autism spectrum disorders do well with the orderly approach, routine transitioning from activity-to-activity
and built in visual/spacial reward of completed tasks. HOD's box format coordinates well with the workbox system. My 7yods will
be in BLHFHG (which has 9 boxes), so his rack will have 9 boxes. Each box contains whatever is needed for that subject/activity...
even a pencil. When we are ready to begin a subject, he is preparing for that lesson when he walks to his rack,picks up the corresponding
box and carries it to the table (or sofa, if a book). He is also prepared for closure when he replaces those items back in the box and carries
it to it's completion spot (it won't go back on the rack). This routine is very satisfying for him and helps him get through his school day without
all the stress he used to experience before we started with the workboxes. Obviously, this is not a system everyone needs, but for those who do
need this kind of structure, it is freedom. I will also be using workboxes with my 10yodd (not attention-deficit or as)who will be working fairly
independently in BHFHG. Having everything she needs pre-sorted and organized will reduce any confusion or stress as she shoulders greater
responsibility for her own learning.
For many, workboxes are just a fad...the next new thing. However, for my family, I can honestly say it is a learning tool.

[butterfly113]

I plan on incorporationg the workboxes with Preparing Hearts next year. This will be our first year with HOD. I like that everything is so easily laid out in the manual. With the other program we used for history and science, I was hunting down the books or supplies as it came time for the lessons. With HOD next year, I will be using the workboxes to keep my HOD materials more organized. So as we do a history project, the supplies are right there. Or with a science experiment etc... same thing with the reading materials... this way I am hoping to keep the momentum going, and not lose as much time inbetween subjects and activities. It will also allow me to add in that fun set of cards of desert animals, or a quick game of checkers, etc!

[Geo]

I plan on incorporationg the workboxes with Preparing Hearts next year. This will be our first year with HOD. I like that everything is so easily laid out in the manual. With the other program we used for history and science, I was hunting down the books or supplies as it came time for the lessons. With HOD next year, I will be using the workboxes to keep my HOD materials more organized. So as we do a history project, the supplies are right there. Or with a science experiment etc... same thing with the reading materials... this way I am hoping to keep the momentum going, and not lose as much time inbetween subjects and activities. It will also allow me to add in that fun set of cards of desert animals, or a quick game of checkers, etc!

This is how the workboxes work for our family! The HOD manual keeps ME on track, the workboxes keep the KIDS on track!

[mskogen]

I totally agree with Geo...