This is the best system EVER!

(Note: I just want to say that Sue Patrick is very adament about the system being done with clear shoe boxes. It is a great tool for visual learners and sn kids. However, if that were the only option I would not have ever given the system a second thought. Please read her site and book to learn her heart for the system that she came up with. :-))


My friend, Leslie, introduced me to to the Workbox System and I am in love! This is a great tool for all you homeschoolers out there. The following quote is from Sue Patrick's Workbox System website:

An effective teaching system to reduce your organizational time and increase your child's self-control, independence and learning.
Specialized for: Autism, ADD ADHD, and
Large Home School Families
This system will compliment your existing curriculum!

Here's how it works: Set up 12 plastic shoe boxes and store them on a plastic shoe rack with wheels. Fill the boxes each evening with school work, games, crafts, projects, etc.... whatever you want your child to get done in a school day. Then your children's school work is all ready to go the next day. Now, we have way too many kids for all that this system suggest. Eight shoe racks and 96 boxes??? No way am I even willing to go there! So I tweaked Sue Patrick's system to work for me. (Sue Patrick believes strongly to use the shoe boxes as a visual for the children so use the shoe boxes if you can.)

I use envelopes instead of shoe boxes and tall plastic containers (similar to the kind you can store file folders in). And, honestly, most of the stuff that goes in the kids' envelopes are small and do not need a big box. The over sized items- that won't fit into the envelopes- are attached to the envelope with a rubber band.

How many times have we heard, "are we almost done yet???"... "how much more do we have to do???" I know I am frustrated when I can't see the end. That's another great thing about the system- the kids know exactly what is expected of them each day (complete the 12 assignments). They can see the progress they're making as they work through each box/folder. It is a great motivator for them.

I finally have found a system that allows me to get to all the fun things that I tend to put aside. If everything is pre-planned and all the items the kids need are in the envelope then they can work fairly independently (especially older children!).

If you want to know more you check out Sue Patrick's Workbox System. She has a book that is very slim and easy to read which explains her whole system (and her vision for the way it works... since I use it in a different way). Or feel free to ask me anything in the comments section or via email. And for anybody that may start this system, I have an email loop for sharing workbox ideas. (By the way, I do not know Sue Patrick.... I just love her system and had to share.)

Here are some pictures our our version of the Workbox System for all you visual people out there:

Each box has their own color for easy identification. Each envelope is numbered. As a child pulls out a new envelope they place their number on the sheet attached to their box. That way they can quickly and easily see the progress they're making.

Close up of one of the boxes

Side view.... This over sized puzzle cannot fit into the envelope so I've attached it to the envelope with a rubber band. I do this just to keep the child from forgetting items or being confused about what goes with the envelope.