We homeschoolers collect many materials, papers, and books over the years. If we do not have an organizational system, we can forget important activities and lose track of our child’s work.
If you want a successful year for your child, I highly recommend an organizational system for your materials. This does not mean your space needs to be squeaky clean, fancy or even overly organized. It means order and function.
This article shows you two simple systems I use to keep everything organized—simple to find and simple to file.
While organization is very personal to each person and family, what I share today is fool-proof because both methods make adding to and finding the materials uncomplicated.
The two systems include binders and file folders.
File Folder System of Organization for Homeschoolers
There are two main file folder systems I keep:
- One for organizing my teaching materials (which I organize by month since I teach by monthly themes)
- One for storing my son’s work (AKA a portfolio, also organized by month)
Storing teaching materials
Storing student work
Binder System of Organization for Homeschoolers
The other system I use for storing teaching activities is the binder system. Organize by season because this works best for the way I plan.
You can organize it by
- Month
- Theme
- Story/novel
- Type of activity
- Goal
- Etc.
No matter the system you use, keep it simple to implement and use over time. Putting together an elaborate system that you’ll never use is no use.
Related Article:
What system do you use to organize your paperwork and materials?
Sounds like a good system to me!
It’s a great idea to use stackable boxes that contain space for legal boxes. Plastic instead of carton can come in very handy, especially if stored in a basement (more humid) or in the case of an unfortunate incident with broken pipes, water heater, etc.
I love stacked boxes. They are making them more and more user-friendly now. The options are endless … with compartments, without compartments, for hanging file folders, with lids, without lids, with flap lids, and in many, many colors. There is something for everyone. That’s why I say that an organizational system is really personal. There is no right answer – no perfect system. It’s just a matter of going with the easiest system that you will actually use.