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!
More School Posts You May Like:
20+ Cute Things to Make for Back To School
How to Make an Oilcloth Pencil Pouch
Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas
How to Make a Fabric Pennant for a Classroom Door
Holiday Classroom Party Craft Idea
THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED
Using the magazine box for signed documents from school is brilliant!
I did something similar last year but can see I need to update it with some of the Martha Stewart Chalkboard labels. Love them!
I love the homework station idea and the fridge planner! Great ideas:)
can you tell me where the white tray was purchased?
Pinned! This would be great for my family we have 5 kids!
Pinned it under my education board!
Great post! I make a list of subjects and plan family field trips & we watch Netflix movies for extra learning.
I love having a calendar on on fridge. I buy one of those big desk calendars (you know, the kind that are a little smaller than a poster board and lay flat on your desk and have a page per month) and I buy 3m Command adhesive strips to hang it on my fridge. I have a little magnetic pencil cup that has different colored pens for each member of the family that I hang right next to the calendar. Everyone has a color so we know whose activity is whose at a quick glance. We have a standard fridge (freezer on top, fridge on bottom) so the calendar fits on it. If you have a side by side, you could hang it on the wall. The adhesive strips don’t take paint off or leave any residue. I like the big calendar because it’s easier to write more than one or two activities on.
Thank you for sharing these tips! I am creating a household manuel to keep a monthly calendar of all the kids activities and important dates ( for the first time in my life). I am planning to incorporate these tips, I really need them! I can relate to not being organized and I have an upcoming senior, sophomore and 4th grader. Help!!!!
I can’t wait to try this out. I also have a middle schooler and organization is not a strong suit for either of us. I am pinning this to use myself!
This is so cute! I just had to pin it!
My plan is to help my grandkids by helping their mom and dad get organized for the school year. I love your ideas and can’t wait to start!
I just love these ideas! I, too, am tired of school supplies and chaos all over. This is a perfect idea. And I really love the calendar on the fridge – PERFECT!
I pinned a pic of your post!! Your tips have helpedme greatly!!
Has the winner to this giveaway already been announced? I keep checking back in hopes that it’s me:)
I pinned a couple of these great ideas also!
And shared on facebook.
Just put up a desk area along with a monthly calender and a weekly chore chart, we also purchased a multi drawer shelving system to keep extra paper, school supplies, coloring books and such. I like the Idea of a weekly chart on the fridge to help break it down. I also love the idea of having a box for papers waiting to be signed. This is my first year with all 4 in school so I am very excited and looking for ways to keep organized! 🙂
Love these ideas. Just started a homework caddie and it could use some prettying up. Love Martha Stewart products!