5 Ways to Organize Your Homeschool

It's easy to let things pile up when we homechool. If you're tired of wading through papers and books when trying to cook dinner or do laundry, these homeschool organization tips may be of help.

You might be able to choose just one of these ideas and make it work for you, but you can also use any combination of the five or even all of them. Use what works best for your family, home and budget.

Bookbags or totes, staples in schools everywhere, work well for homeschooling kids too. These can be used to hold the work your students are currently working on and they can easily be toted from room to room or even outside.

These bags come in handy for other activities, too, like trips to the library and overnight visits to grandparents and friends. Have your children clean their bags out each Friday or whenever it is most convenient and file away or dispose of any papers that are no longer needed.

Baskets can be used to contain supplies attractively. Deep wicker baskets can hold pencils, crayons, and other small items and will look better than empty coffee cans and ice cream buckets when set on a shelf or counter.

Less-than-pretty baskets like plastic laundry ones can be used to hold bigger supplies like art easels, pottery wheels and any other large arts and crafts items your children may have. These can be hidden away in closets or the utility room until they are needed.

If space allows, set up a study area for each child and let them know you expect them to be responsible for keeping it neat and tidy. The study area should be big enough to hold a small desk or table with room underneath to stash books and other school supplies.

Barring this, you could purchase a cubby system or create one using an existing shelf and shoeboxes. It might be a good idea to have an inspection once a week or every two weeks to be sure your children are keeping their area clean.

Using furniture that has hidden compartments can be a big help in a homeschooling house. Items like armoires and chests can hold the school stuff that isn't used every day so that the rest of your house looks tidy.

If this type of furniture isn't available, you can get the same effect by using affordable three-legged wooden tables with skirts that cover to the floor. Stash extra learning materials under the skirt to keep them out of sight.

It is possible to have an organized homeschooling home with a little effort and creativity. But if your home is less than perfect don't worry--you can have a perfect house when your children are grown and gone. Enjoy the mess while you can!