Pencils, paper, notebooks, crayons, markers, highlighters and more were on sale at WalMart. My family along with many others were there to take part in the great “Back To School” sale. It really is the only time of year that you can find large glue sticks for 50 cents each. We really stock up on those, and they go quick. As I pushed, squeezed and squirmed through the crowd with my list and family we all took turns loading the cart. Then we waited in the checkout line that was longer and slower than usual. Finally we paid for our supplies and headed home.
As we hopped in the car and put at least 8 bags in the car I wondered what I would do with my sale “treasures”. We have a specific closet/storage space setup specifically for our homeschool curriculum and supplies, but I needed quick access. So I bought small organizing baskets.
Did I have enough storage containers? Was there enough space? Or did I buy too much? I would say “yes” to the buying too much, but we will use it. My husband told me the total and I gasped a little… I mean homeschooling is supposed to be cheaper? Right? Next year I will bring a list, not just load the cart. There was a list in my head I just bought a few more than I should have at the sale.
Here is what I did to organize my supplies. Remember I bought over my budget so there was no room left for containers and baskets. I had to make due with what I had at home.
1. Gather all baskets, empty containers, glass containers, mason jars or what not to start organizing.
2. Put all supplies in a pile by item. For example, colored pencils go with colored pencils. Do that with each item that is bought.
3. Work with each container. I opened each package and put it in the container that would work best. I also used plastic, safe containers if I thought the kids would be getting them out. Glass containers went on the top shelf for pencils, pens and markers. My glass containers are old spaghetti sauce jars that I have cleaned out, or old mason jars that I don’t use for canning anymore. These would also help with quick cleanup.
4. Try to fit the container by usage. If it is an item we use alot like crayons or markers they went into old baby wipe holders. It should hold up over time and pretty kid resistant on breakage.
5. On the outside of the closet door I hung a shoe organizer. This is where I put my post it notes, index cards, erasers, pencil sharpeners and more pencils. It is something I can send the kids to grab quickly and easily. The shoe organizer is for easy access to everyday items.
This is how I organized my homeschool supplies this year? Leave a comment and let me know if you did anything different or homemade.
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Cheers,
Michelle
I love the ideas. Since we are just started a more formal preschool this year with my 4yr old, we do a lot of plastic containers. I have a travel soap dish for her school crayons and a pencil box for her playtime crayons. We don’t have a ton of storage space so most things have to go in a box of some kind as I have drawers, not shelves. I do love the idea of using glass jars. (visiting from Coffee and Conversation)
A travel soap dish for crayons is a great idea! Thanks for the tip because the box we use is too large sometimes to go into the bag of school supplies. Thanks so much!