Back to School Tips: How to Create a Homework Station
Today I’m excited to share with you one of my favorite Back to School Tips, How to create a homework station! If you like this post then you may also enjoy this FREE Printable Back To School Shopping List!
DIY Homework Station and Back to School Tips:
Let me first say that me and organized don’t usually belong in the same sentence, but for 3 school years now this system has totally worked for me, so that’s gotta say something. If it works for me I’m guessing it will work for you too. I’m not one of those “super organized” moms who always seems to know what’s going on. I’m more a “doing my best” mom who occasionally forgets things but tries really really hard!
I have 3 kids, one that is off to college and twin middle schoolers. Over the years we’ve evolved how we handle homework in our house. We have discovered that what works best for us is to have everyone working at the kitchen table together. Then mom and dad are close by if they need help and there are fewer distractions.
This however created a problem in the kitchen. It seemed I always had pens, pencils and paper all over the table even after they were done. When it was time for dinner it would drive me crazy since there was nowhere to eat!
A couple of years ago, I got the idea to create a Homework Station on my kitchen table. Everything they need to be contained in one place and it’s easily moved out of the way when needed. This homework station takes the place of our kitchen table centerpiece, but I’m totally ok with it! I actually find myself using items from it quite a bit.
This year to help with the back to school organization, Martha Stewart Home Office, with Avery sent me a box of supplies! I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them as soon as I got them. Pretty up that homework station!
How to Create a Homework Station:
Items Needed:
(this post contains affiliate links)
ONE: Magazine File:
The first thing I did was add a file box to the station this year. I used a Magazine file and my VERY FAVORITE product the chalkboard labels to create a “Things for Mom to sign” box on the table.
You see we frequently lose important papers like field trip permission slips, school directories etc.
This way all those items get put in the file, one folder of things to sign and one folder of things I’ve already signed. I also plan on putting some of our math help sheets in there too so they are close at hand.
TWO: Miscellaneous Items
- Pencils in Mason Jar
- Sticky Notes
- Paper Clips
- Mason Jar with Pens
- Scissors
- Erasers
- Post It Flags
- Ruler
The rest of the station has a variety of items, including pencils, pens, highlighters, erasers, and sticky notes. Also in the pile are the Color Coding tabs which are perfect to use to mark places in books, textbooks and binders. My kids love to use them as they study to mark where they left off or things they need to come back to.
THREE:
Actually #3 is a tip. Leave this out on your table for it to be the most effective. I ended up putting all of our supplies into cute containers and got a nice tray from IKEA to hold them all. It will look nice on your table (who doesn’t love bouquets of sharpened pencils?) and it will be easy for your kids to get what they need.
Okay, now help me out a bit. What are some of your favorite Back to School Organization Tips? Just leave them for me in the comments section!
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THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED
Having a breakfast bar area where he can fix his own cereal or pop tarts beside the toaster and frig area.
Pinning the desk idea and some others Love your Blog 🙂
I also pinned this great idea. Thanks again!
So many cute ideas! The most helpful thing for me is to have a place for everything to go – otherwise things just get dropped on the kitchen counter and lost or forgotten. I will be making one of these homework stations tonight!
I also pinned an image at http://pinterest.com/pin/193936327676753587/
Such a cool giveaway! My tip (not very revolutionary) is to create a folder for each class and organize stray papers by subject.
I loved the whole post! I will be going to the dollar tree for bins! Thank u so much and I pinned the picture of all of the supplies together 🙂
Pinned! http://pinterest.com/pin/111816003221772804/
I have been working on a similar kit that can come out on the table when it’s time for homework. I’d love that weekly planner!
It’s been pinned!!! http://pinterest.com/pin/245375879670758296/
Awesome giveaway hope I win..
Pinning this for homeschool station
Pinning this for when my little ones start school!
And we’ve never been “back to school” yet…should be quite an adventure.
My first is just starting K next week. Terrific ideas to help her get off to a great start. We plan to make lunches the night before since 6 of us need to leave the house together by 7:15. Hope we can make it work.
Pinned that cute file holder with the label….if I don’t win, I might have to go find some of those!!
I want some goodies! I guess my tip would be to get the kids sitting down and doing as much of their homework on Mondays as they can (we get weekly homework right now) and then they can relax a little as the week goes on.
Follow a daily morning and night routine
My favorite back to school tip is to give the teacher a Walmart gift card as a welcome …. she can always use the additional funds to supplement the classroom.
Write everything on a big family calendar on the fridge!
Great idea! Pinned it!