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Value This Life

Value This Life

Helping you find more joy & beauty in everyday life

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Homeschooling Without a Schoolroom

As a jumbo-sized family living in a regular-sized house, our school at home has always happened here, there and almost everywhere.

We’ve never been much for gathering around the kitchen table for anything besides meals, so we’ve seldom done lessons at the table together. Usually someone chooses the kitchen table as “their spot” to do their written work, and the others move on to claim their own corner somewhere else. The kitchen is the place for science experiments and messy crafts, though, since it has a hard floor.

The older children’s bedrooms each have a desk, and they do much of their work in that spot.

The real hub of our homeschool is the den. That’s where we gather for Morning Time, our morning opening of memorization, discussion and reading aloud. Afterwards the younger girls stay in the den with me. There’s a little school desk right next to my chair for their written work. I’m pretty good at reading and writing upside down after years of practice.

We keep books on shelves throughout the house, but the den bookshelf contains the current school year’s history and literature books, along with math books in magazine holders for those who aren’t keeping their books in their bedroom.

Then there’s the notebook shelf, which also holds math manipulatives and other goodies.

Peel-and-stick, dry erase maps are mounted in the hallway. 

The crown jewel is the long countertop desk along the wall. It holds an extra computer, drawers for papers, all the office supplies, art supplies and the globe. Many a card has been created, glued, stapled and colored in this spot.

Nearly all of my teaching happens in the same rocker recliner where I rocked the last six babies. We move to the couch for reading aloud to the two youngest girls, but everything else happens in Mom’s Chair.

When I had babies and toddlers, I kept a cabinet or basket within reach, containing diapers, wipers and teacher’s manuals. Some years there was a plastic box with a lid that scooted under the coffee table. Anything to prevent having to get up out of my chair!

Reading, writing and learning are such a part of our lives after twenty-six years of homeschooling that it seems fitting that school is done in the midst of our home. But that doesn’t mean that our home is given over to constant mess. Sure, books, papers and notebooks get piled on the coffee table and every other surface in sight, but school isn’t over until it’s all put away.

It’s possible to homeschool and still live in orderly, pleasant surroundings. The homeschool stuff doesn’t have to take over your house. Find attractive storage solutions, do a daily pickup and integrate the necessities into your décor.

Don’t fret if you don’t have a special room dedicated to your homeschool. Cheerfully work with your circumstances and adapt for your surroundings. Clear out the clutter and make the view pleasant.

Then enjoy school at home…..in your home.

Where does your family do their schoolwork, homeschool or other?

 

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  • Thoughts on 32 Years of Homeschooling (So Far)Thoughts on 32 Years of Homeschooling (So Far)
  • Some of Our Favorite Books to Read AloudSome of Our Favorite Books to Read Aloud

About Charlotte

I'm a grateful wife & mom of 12 amazing persons. I love to inspire & teach busy women to find beauty in everyday life by caring for themselves, creating comfortable homes with their families and living out ordinary days with grace and gratitude. I'd love to encourage YOU!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Leah Y. says

    September 10, 2012 at 6:57 pm

    We ‘do’ schoo everywhere also. The littles and I have a desk, but the older ones are found wherever they find comfortable. I too can read and write upside down and pretty well with my left hand! I love the maps on the wall…have not seen those. Maybe I should just laminate our maps so we can write on them.

    Reply
  2. tomena reed says

    September 19, 2012 at 4:42 pm

    Hi Charlotte! We do it all over our house too! Thanks for this post, it reminded me that it’s okay that I don’t have a special room. Sometimes I get sad about that. I actually store several things in a dinning hutch next to the table. It’s out of sight but right were I need it. Reading happens at the couch or wherever you happen to plop and I read aloud to everyone at night while they fold their laundry….hehe, in our living room. My oldest son also has a desk in his room and my preschooler has a special bag hanging in the coat closet. This way we can grab it and take it anywhere we want. I also have a magazine holder with each child’s things in it. That way they can take their stack contained to wherever they need to. Where did you get your maps… and what is the peel and stick feature?

    Reply
  3. Charlotte says

    September 19, 2012 at 4:49 pm

    The maps came from a local “buyout” discount store so who knows where they came from, lol. Peel and stick means they are moveable and removable without taking off paint (and no sticky-tac or tacks needed).

    Reply

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I'm a grateful wife & mom of 12 amazing persons. I love to inspire & teach busy women to find beauty in everyday life by caring for themselves, creating comfortable homes with their families and living out ordinary days with grace and gratitude. I'd love to encourage YOU! Read More…

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valuethislife

valuethislife
It’s not so much having a lot to do and many res It’s not so much having a lot to do and many responsibilities....it’s over-committing and the energy of “not being enough” that leads to burnout and adrenal fatigue. Your body will cooperate until it doesn’t.  Check in with yourself: What is driving all this doing? What’s behind all the striving, pushing, proving? Sit with that....and then STOP being so hard on yourself, sweetie. Give yourself a break. See where you can simplify. Think about what refreshes you and bring more of that into your life. 🌱
Day 8 of city-water-shortage-after-frozen-pipes ha Day 8 of city-water-shortage-after-frozen-pipes hair. Today they gave the go-ahead for dishwashers and clothes washers, so this girl will be washing her hair without guilt. A week ago it was snowing and -26 windchill, today it’s 71 degrees and sunshine. Don’t tell anyone, but I like variety so Oklahoma weather suits me.😍
Family favorite: No-Bake Cookies! Our recipe is ju Family favorite: No-Bake Cookies! Our recipe is just right, both chocolate-y and peanut butter-y. We like to eat these while they’re still warm and gooey!  Best No-Bake Cookies  1 stick butter  1/2 c. milk  2 c. sugar  1/2 c. cocoa  Mix in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring until melted and combined.  Boil 1 1/2 minutes only! Remove from heat and stir in:  1/2 c. peanut butter  1 tsp. vanilla  3 c. oats (either quick oats or old-fashioned)  Drop by spoonfuls on waxed paper.  Let set and enjoy!
Living and loving with your whole heart.💕That s Living and loving with your whole heart.💕That sounds lovely but exhausting. Maybe it’s because we’re zoomed out, looking at the whole day and our whole life. 
.
God is not asking you to do it all. Especially not all at once. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. 
.
Zoom back in to this moment. Do the next thing, but do it with your whole heart. 
.
While you’re doing the thing, stop thinking about all the OTHER things you have to do. The most important things WILL get done, but not all at once.❤️
Pretty college student on her 21st birthday. Our 1 Pretty college student on her 21st birthday. Our 10th child. Straight A student. Absolute delight. And when I found out I was pregnant with her, I couldn’t see how it would work out. All I could see was the current circumstance, the feelings and the fear of the future. Maybe this will encourage you today about a situation in your life. There’s a lot of good and hope in your future.🌱
Snow is rare where I live in Oklahoma. Today it’ Snow is rare where I live in Oklahoma. Today it’s still at the pretty stage, when it covers bare ground and sparkles in the sun. Stray snowflakes are falling like glitter. The melting gray slush is coming, but for today it’s a fairy landscape. Reminds me that we can’t stop time or hold on to life’s moments. We can look for the good right where we are and trust God for the “different” good coming.❄️
A good word for when you’re tempted to be mean t A good word for when you’re tempted to be mean to yourself ❤️
Nobody sittin’ on this garden bench in two degre Nobody sittin’ on this garden bench in two degree weather today!🥶Unusually cold, with rare snow and more to come in Oklahoma. This weather event has disrupted “life as usual.” Prayers for those without power, water or heat right now—rolling power blackouts have begun...
Have you ever procrastinated about doing something Have you ever procrastinated about doing something, with thoughts of dread and overwhelm?😬And then done the thing,  finding that it was easier and faster to get done than you thought it would be?🥴Yeah, me too. Note to self: The dreading and putting off costs a whole lot more emotional energy than just doing the thing. 😊
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valuethislife

valuethislife
It’s not so much having a lot to do and many res It’s not so much having a lot to do and many responsibilities....it’s over-committing and the energy of “not being enough” that leads to burnout and adrenal fatigue. Your body will cooperate until it doesn’t.  Check in with yourself: What is driving all this doing? What’s behind all the striving, pushing, proving? Sit with that....and then STOP being so hard on yourself, sweetie. Give yourself a break. See where you can simplify. Think about what refreshes you and bring more of that into your life. 🌱
Day 8 of city-water-shortage-after-frozen-pipes ha Day 8 of city-water-shortage-after-frozen-pipes hair. Today they gave the go-ahead for dishwashers and clothes washers, so this girl will be washing her hair without guilt. A week ago it was snowing and -26 windchill, today it’s 71 degrees and sunshine. Don’t tell anyone, but I like variety so Oklahoma weather suits me.😍
Family favorite: No-Bake Cookies! Our recipe is ju Family favorite: No-Bake Cookies! Our recipe is just right, both chocolate-y and peanut butter-y. We like to eat these while they’re still warm and gooey!  Best No-Bake Cookies  1 stick butter  1/2 c. milk  2 c. sugar  1/2 c. cocoa  Mix in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring until melted and combined.  Boil 1 1/2 minutes only! Remove from heat and stir in:  1/2 c. peanut butter  1 tsp. vanilla  3 c. oats (either quick oats or old-fashioned)  Drop by spoonfuls on waxed paper.  Let set and enjoy!
Living and loving with your whole heart.💕That s Living and loving with your whole heart.💕That sounds lovely but exhausting. Maybe it’s because we’re zoomed out, looking at the whole day and our whole life. 
.
God is not asking you to do it all. Especially not all at once. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. 
.
Zoom back in to this moment. Do the next thing, but do it with your whole heart. 
.
While you’re doing the thing, stop thinking about all the OTHER things you have to do. The most important things WILL get done, but not all at once.❤️
Pretty college student on her 21st birthday. Our 1 Pretty college student on her 21st birthday. Our 10th child. Straight A student. Absolute delight. And when I found out I was pregnant with her, I couldn’t see how it would work out. All I could see was the current circumstance, the feelings and the fear of the future. Maybe this will encourage you today about a situation in your life. There’s a lot of good and hope in your future.🌱
Snow is rare where I live in Oklahoma. Today it’ Snow is rare where I live in Oklahoma. Today it’s still at the pretty stage, when it covers bare ground and sparkles in the sun. Stray snowflakes are falling like glitter. The melting gray slush is coming, but for today it’s a fairy landscape. Reminds me that we can’t stop time or hold on to life’s moments. We can look for the good right where we are and trust God for the “different” good coming.❄️
A good word for when you’re tempted to be mean t A good word for when you’re tempted to be mean to yourself ❤️
Nobody sittin’ on this garden bench in two degre Nobody sittin’ on this garden bench in two degree weather today!🥶Unusually cold, with rare snow and more to come in Oklahoma. This weather event has disrupted “life as usual.” Prayers for those without power, water or heat right now—rolling power blackouts have begun...
Have you ever procrastinated about doing something Have you ever procrastinated about doing something, with thoughts of dread and overwhelm?😬And then done the thing,  finding that it was easier and faster to get done than you thought it would be?🥴Yeah, me too. Note to self: The dreading and putting off costs a whole lot more emotional energy than just doing the thing. 😊
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