“In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn.” ― Phil Collins

   So, we are nearly at the beginning of a new school year. Son will be doing First and Second grade work. Last year was a bit of a mess, I will admit it was mostly my fault. Too loose with the planning, procrastination was commonplace, add in some pregnancy hormones. Son did learn a lot last year, and we got all of the work completed that I had envisioned for his Kindergarten year. But the headache and rush of much of the year  left both of us exhausted. My motto this year round is "Plan it, Do it, STAY ORGANIZED!" All of this is made easier by two things: a dedicated school room (we were bouncing between the living room and his way over packed bedroom) and we are trying out the Workbox system this year. We are hoping the Workboxes will help Son to be able to self-start more, and to show him the exact expectations of the day(and end "Are we done yet?" all the time). I was able to get ten magazine organizers for two dollars at a yard sale, and we have one set up for each subject (plus a few extra). I have a paper lesson planner and a journal as well, last year most of that was just winged as he was technically young enough to not be required by the state to be in school yet (though I did keep a grade book of what he had done, after he was done with the work).

 Here are some pictures!

 Work boxes for the core lessons, they are sitting on the drawers each one for a separate subject (and my planner and journal.)

 My big ugly chair (it is really comfy), I got from a craigslist free section ad. Son's school desk (considering getting a separated arrangement but this works okay for now.)

 Opposite from the chairs we have the drawers/work boxes, whiteboard, various wall bits.

Art type desk, we didn't use it much last year as it was shoved in an inconvenient spot but this year we will get more use out of it.

I am in the market for a bookcase, but, as with most everything we have, I intend to get a really good deal on a used one.