This homeschool organization post is sponsored by Ibotta. All content and opinions are 100% my own.
on me: bodysuit (XS / TTS) (similar, similar) | ruffle midi skirt (XS / TTS) |
clear-strap sandals (also here) | leopard headband (similar only $12!)
on Mei: tie-dye overalls | pink bunny graphic tee
on Dylan: pokemon graphic tee | cargo shorts | nike sneakers
School is starting up in a couple weeks for us and it’s been quite the roller coaster ride the past few weeks as we figure out what how school is going to look for our kids this year. We had a mini taste of homeschooling last spring as schools shut down to avoid the pandemic spread, and it was quite the adjustment for all of us as we juggled working and teaching our kids all at the same time!
While there’s definitely quite a bit of uncertainty going into the school year this fall, one thing is the same: it’s time to get ourselves prepared! I’m sharing a few tips on how we’ve transitioned our home to accommodate for homeschooling (as this will most likely be our schooling option this Fall) as well as my top tip to earn a little cash as we take care of our back-to-school shopping this year!
Regardless of whether your kids will be starting school in-person or virtually, saving some extra cash is something we all need! Ibotta launched a Back To School program that runs through September, allowing all of us to earn some extra cash while we’re at it! Deals such as $1.00 cash back on Horizon Organic Cheese Sticks (my kids’ fave snack!) and $1.25 back on Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars (one of my fave snacks! 😉) makes sure that we have arguably the most important part of the day figured out! I love how easy the app is to use as as I just shop like normal and then scan my receipt in the Ibotta app to collect my cash back!
There’s no extra cost to use Ibotta, and there are deals at some of our favorite stores such as Target, Walmart, and even Amazon! I’ve accumulated so much extra cash using the app over the last few years and it’s always a nice surprise when I can withdraw actual cash from my Ibotta when I’m just doing what I do already everyday!
And now, on to our home-school organization tips!
Homeschool Organization Tips
Create A Distraction-Free Workspace
dining table + chair set | sheepskin rug | sputnik chandelier | marble side table
We started off with the kids in an open counter top area to the side of our kitchen, perched on bar stools and seated side by side. But, we quickly realized that because the kitchen was a common area used for the entire household throughout the day, it didn’t provide the kids with the ability to focus and concentrate. Moreover, sitting side by side made it too easy for them to goof and even join in on each others’ Zoom meetings that weren’t meant for them.
The solution that finally worked for us was re-purposing our formal dining room to be the kids homeschool classroom. They are able to sit across from each other to minimize distractions and also each have enough space where they were able to set up their own mini workspace. It does mean on most days, our formal dining room has some sort of clutter and there’s a new weekly chore for the kids to sweep and vacuum the space, but so far it’s been working for us!
Have A Variety Of Activities
watercolor paints | plastic tray
The key to keeping the kids occupied has been giving them a variety of different learning activities they can choose from. Whether it’s workbooks, coloring sheets, or paint by stickers, the kids get options that keep them busy and let me have some extra time for my work as well! Below are a few activities we’ve loved:
- Go Cube – Dylan has gotten so good at the Rubix cube thanks to this interactive toy / app!
- Trace + Draw Projector – helps develop fine motor skills
- Osmo – lots of different interactive games (full review here!)
Place Everything Within Reach
similar art caddy | similar book case
My kids started off on Montessori and I strongly believe in letting them be as self-sufficient as possible. I had this unused book case sitting in our garage that I decided would also be the perfect solution to store the kids’ workbooks and composition journals. I have each section of the book case split out between my kids, with the last section being one that’s filled with activity books appropriate for both.
Set Up A Creativity Station
mesh drawer organizer (similar)
modular storage cart (similar from Amazon)
At 5 and 8 years old, I also want to make sure my kids get plenty of time to be creative and just experiment with different art ideas. I repurposed another pull-out tray organizer that I had to store their art supplies so that it was close to their work area, with options including colored pencils, Perler Beads, Play-Doh, and cute stickers!
Invest In Headphones
Hello Kitty headphones (similar)
Since we’re all working in a small space, having headphones for when we need to get on meetings and/or have apps with audio is key. There’s inevitably quite a bit more screen time involved now that we’re all at home but thankfully with each person having our own headphones, we’re able to still get our own work done without disrupting everyone else.
on Mei: tie-dye overalls | pink bunny graphic tee
on Dylan: pokemon graphic tee | cargo shorts | nike sneakers
pin for later!
How are you preparing for back to school?
Have you tried the money-saving Ibotta app before?
** Note: All Ibotta offers were valid as of publish date. Check your app for details, as offers change frequently and may not be available in all areas
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Which of these homeschool organizations tips would you try? Let me know in a comment below!
We actually moved to a new house this summer and will be starting homeschool in a couple of weeks! We are excited and I am working on the last few details to organize. 🙂
I love your shelves. We are also getting ready for distance learning.
Marie
https://theflowerduet.blogspot.com/
I can use some of these tips, starting to homeschool too!
It is SO crazy to me to see everyone prepping for homeschooling, or seeing what their homeschooling journey has been like over the last few months. I was homeschooled all the way through til graduation, so I definitely have experience in that area, and boy – it has CHANGED!! I guess that’s what happens when technology advances, eh? But so cool to see everyone making it work for them and their kids! Love your creativity station!
Being organized is definitely important, thanks for sharing these tips with us! Great ways to start school in a neat type.
Being organized is very important especially when homeschooling during this crazy pandemic. These are great tips for household to consider for this upcoming school year!
You’ve done such a great job organizing your learning space to optimize learning for your little ones! I love all of these great ideas.
These are such great tips, especially right now as everything is changing! A distraction-free space is essential!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
These are all such good tips. I can’t imagine how stressful home schooling can be. Best of luck!
Thanks for sharing these tips! I’m glad you were able to find solutions that fit the needs of your family during this time. I don’t have kids so I can only imagine how stressful this can be. Wishing you luck on this homeschool/ distance learning journey!
These are such helpful tips! I bet a lot of parents will be thankful for this post with this upcoming school year.
SO crazy that its already back to school, these are great tips! thanks fro sharing. I miss school!!
Thanks for the tips! It’s very helpful!
I love all your tips. I need this since my son will be homeschooling.
This is great post! If any schooling situation needed organization, it’s homeschooling. If you’re not organized, you’ll be swimming in papers and clutter in no time flat.
I can see how you’d have to limit distraction as much as possible for homeschooling. After all, home is where all the best distractions are!
Super great tips and the distraction free workspace I believe in 150% and is #1 on my list!
These are great tips! I’m sure it’s stressful transitioning to homeschooling so I feel like this really helps! Xx.
Such great tips! All of the parents (including you!) and teachers are doing such a great job with teaching during the pandemic and transitioning to homeschooling!
Rachel
http://www.hello-her.com
I hope I can put these tips to good use. I’m excited and scared at the same time when homeschooling starts.
These are great tips! I was homeschooled for middle and high school and we stuck to the same schedule every day and had a designated work space to help get us settled.
The idea of creating a creativity station is awesome or any organized designated area to put books, binders, etc. A perfect way to keep things organized for the kids and for you. It will definitely make learning and teaching easier.
so many things about this post i love. the dining table and dining room are AMAZING. so much natural light and such comfortable bench covers. also, i love the cart for homeschool supplies. wish i had one when i was being homeschooled. we had a cabinet and lugged books and supplies from the cabinet to the table.
These are some great tops for getting prepared for homeschooling. I know this would be very beneficial during this time since a lot of people are resorting to teaching their children at home.
Homeschooling has become so essential these days, many people are still clueless of how this works, this post can guide so many
Love how you created a space that is truly conducive to learning. These are all wonderful tips. Thank you!
Nice blog,these tips are very helpful.
In India, homeschooling was supposed to be the apt form of schooling. The children of nobles used to be homeschooled and after a while, sent to Ashrams or universities to learn the warcraft and equip themselves with handling the affairs of the kingdom! I guess we need to take a leaf out of those times. I love the option of creativity stations in your post! Thanks for a wonderful read!
This article is very useful for families with children. It’s smart to prepare before the school starts, and there are so many places where children will have to learn online, as their schools are still closed.
I don’t have little ones but these all seem like great tips for getting them (and yourself) ready for the school year! xoxo, Sarah
eliminating distractions works so well for us too , as the kids and myself can focus on getting the job done
You just have the cutest family x
Lisa | lisaautumn.com
I don’t have children yet but these seems like great tips for the changing times!! I’m sure it can be challenging but you’re on top of it!
Some amazing tips you have mentioned here..glad you shared them with us..found it so helpful and useful..great work though…
These are great tips! So many people are going to have to homeschool this year! We’re living in crazy times.
I agree. You need to create a distraction free space. So nice! Great tips!
These are some really bery helpful and useful tips. Will recommend to my sister to.
I love these! Your kids are super lucky to have such an organized mom!
I’ll have to share this with my friends! I bet they’ll find your tips helpful!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Oof, I don’t have kids and none of my friends who have kids are in school yet (all under age 2) but it’s so interesting to read about all the ways this Stay at Home order affects school schedules! It looks like you are setting your kids up for success this year though!
These are amazing pointers, thank you so much! We live in a small house but the first thing we did was to dedicate a small area only for schooling.
These are great tips. This will be very helpful for many parents who have to home school their kids.
These are such great tips!!
wow! it makes me so happy and impress!
Hhhhmmmm….with this list, I believe we are so ready for school! Remember; keep everything we shall need within good reach!!!
Staying organized is really the key to success at any age. It seems like you had to make an office space for your kids, sort of! No distractions!
I love all these tips and I love organizing things myself!
your kids are too cute!! i wish i had enough space for that kid of a set up for home school!
We love ibotta here too. Always love to save a little money when possible, especially when it’s so stinkin’ easy!
Thank you for these coupons. I will definitely use some of them. That ibotta sounds awesome too. Need to check it out. Thanks!
Half of the world is homeschooling their kids right now so these are indeed valuable and helpful tips.
such a great, timely post for so many who are homeschooling this year!
really great tips and recommendations for parents that are homeschooling this year!
xo Laura Leigh
https://louellareese.com
This is such a good post for parents. Really helps in sorting things for today’s situations.
These are great tips. I am certain parents would find them helpful.
❥ tanvii.com
Absolutely lovely tips you’ve got here that any parent can benefit from!
Thanks for sharing these great ideas. I am homeschooling this year and haven’t started to get ready in the sense of setting a space.
Xx, Nailil
https://thirtyminusone.com
These are all great tips for moms during this season of life!
Organizing during this pandemic has become all the more important! Pretty helpful post and loved watching your pictures!
Your kids are super cute. Loved the blog!
Such a great tips and these things will definitely help me as I am now preparing my kids for this coming homeschools year.
Thank you! These tips are going to come in handy over the next few weeks!
Schools should be re-opening here on the first of Septembre and normally that will be full time 🙂
These are all great ideas for younger kids who homeschool. My older kids just need a computer and the ability to do their work wherever they want to do it. I’ve seen them hanging off the couch with the computer on the floor happily doing their work. The longer I homeschool the less strict the work space becomes.
I seriously love how organized you are! Such a beautiful clean space for homeschooling!
Great tips. I’m not in school time, but I also need to organize my supplies 😉
Your kids are going to have so much fun learning at the pace that’s best for them, and spending more time together and at home! Thanks for sharing these great tips, I know a few people with kids who would love this info!
supermama over here! i’m so impressed with all the parents becoming educators now. Your set up looks lovely and perfect for little ones to get focused. Good luck this school year! xo, Natalie http://nataliastyleblog.com
Lovely cutiee kids. Great tips dear, Thank you for sharing
We have a great organizer that now lives in our dining room where we set up our distance learning! These are great tips!
Oh I love the organization!!! Good job!!
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Lovely cute kids. Great tips, Thank you for sharing.
wow! it makes me so happy and impress!
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