It’s that time of year. Setting alarm clocks for some ungodly time to get up in the morning, making sure you go grocery shopping more than once a month, and actually dressing your kids in clothes that match. Back to school is upon us.
Because I put my “teacher” cap back on yesterday, I’m gonna pretend I’m smart for a minute. I completed my Master’s thesis on homework completion (or lack thereof as the case may be). While I despised all the research I had to do, I will say that it gave me plenty of insight on how to foster a better environment for getting homework done!
My kids know that as soon as they come home from school, they have their afternoon snack, and they complete their homework. Nothing else takes place before it gets finished. Believe me, this system spared me from the loony bin.
To make things even easier, I went out and got these homework boxes. Just about everything they need is housed in one box so there’s no scrambling around looking for all the materials they need. You might ask, but I have no idea where I found the one with all the compartments. I’ve looked EVERYWHERE for more, and I can’t find them. If you do, please let me know!
All other tools (protractor, ruler, etc.) are kept in their drawer, but this is the “go to” for their daily work. And yes, I change the pencils by the season. The dollar section in Target has them ALL the time!
Need help with how to keep your kids’ homework tools together? I’m your girl. Need help with how to do their math homework with them? Run as far away from me as you possibly can!
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This is really, really smart, Chris. The best way to win the homework battle is never to start it in the first place! With your system, there can never be cries of "I don't have a ________!" All the tools are right there for them. You are one clever mom.
Hope back-to-school goes well for you this year. I imagine you're really missing your husband these days. Take good care of yourself!
You always have the smartest ideas! This is PERFECT. I am copying you (ahem, once again). Thank you. 😀
Are you no longer doing Show and Share Day?
Also, I'm doing a giveaway on my blog right now and would love for you to enter if you're interested and haven't done so already. <3
I used to do the same thing with my kids, Chris, and my argument was "you just do it when you get in and get it over with". I had a large plastic container with crayons in for them {when they were in that age group}, but otherwise they used the supplies right from their back packs. Those containers you have are great ~ so organized. My hubby was the Math homework person and I was the English homework person. See, I knew better, 2 wrongs don't equal 4.
Love it! Such a great idea, as always! I'll definitely do this when Arielle starts getting homework.
-Desiree
As a teacher I thank you so much for sharing this with everyone! I need you to come to open house night and show this! 🙂 I loooove the boxes! I'm not a naturally organized person so I am always looking for ideas to help get me there. I will be looking for these for my daughter.
ikea has some!!!!!!!
We struggle with this. After being in school for 8 hours it's hard to get Graham (almost 8) excited about sitting back down to do homework. All he wants to do is run outside and be free!
Love it!! I wish all parents would make a homework box for their children! Being a teacher myself, I think anything with fun school supplies is pretty genius!! I LOVE those school boxes with the compartments! Those are great!!
What a fabulous idea! I would love one of these for myself!! I love pretty, organized things!
There is NOTHING like great organization for the homework zone.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Melinda
I have a homework kit for each of my kids. I LOVE this idea. I am strict about making my boys do their work as soon as they get in. It is so much easier while they are still in the "school mood".
what an awesome idea!
not gonne lie, i'm not in the "homework" stage yet and it kind of freaks me out!! 😉
xoxo,
lauren
(the "homework stage" freaks me out, not your boxes!!) 🙂
I think I have a few years before I become the homework warden (we're still in preschool around here) but I'm a sucker for neatly organized ANYTHING. These are great and I'm glad you've found a system that works!
great idea Chris! Now I need advice on how to organize all those homework papers! I have a 2nd grader and a kindergartener and I'm going a bit crazy here.
I saw some clear boxes similar to those at Michaels in the school section but they were sealed so Im not sure if they have those compartments.
My girl just started 1st grade…this is brilliant!
You are a such a HOOT! I just started my own blog so I have looking sround blog-land and stumbled onto your blog.I love it!!! Not only are you funny, but you have great ideas too 🙂
Great idea. I love things like this that are so practical.
Really smart idea. I love those boxes maybe ill get lucky and find some if I do i'll be sure to grab one for ya.
What a great idea — and I love the idea of doing homework immediately after school. It's such a simple idea… yet it still escaped me 😉 brills!
Hey, great idea! I am going to use this idea for myself…I just started back to college and I could definitely use some healthier study habits!
ah what a good idea!! Very smart!
What a clever idea! Almost makes me want to do homework! haha
xo
amanda
I'm really interested in knowing what your research said about getting kids to do homework. Did you find any good tips or techniques that teachers can do to foster homework completion, especially in ESL communities? If you found anything interesting or have article titles, would you please email me?
What a wonderful idea! I need to do this.
what a cute idea. where did you find these awesome boxes.
I LOVED this idea! Thanks so much! I made my own homework box for my son, and I just wanted to give credit where it was due! I linked back to your website. I'm new to blogging and I'm not sure on the etiquette on linking back and such…hope I did it right!
Married to the Air Force
Hi,
Love your blog and sense of humor!! I have two school going kids and have organized their homework spot too. (I’ll take some pictures and send them to you)
Can I ask you a dumb question? Where did you get that pink eraser from? I have a collection of school erasers that I started in grade school and always notice ones that I don’t have.
Keep writing….I’m your fan!!
Regards,
Misty
Never a dumb question, Misty. An interesting one… 🙂 I think I just bought it at the dollar store. I wish I could be more certain, but I think that’s where. Next time I go, I’ll see if they have some more! Thank you for your kind words!