What makes an ideal school room?

[HeatherB]

We are moving - though not until probably September/October when our house is finished. We'll have a dedicated school room for the first time (not sure yet if I'll have a desk in there for my computer), and I'm just starting to think about what should be in it.

I have two boys who are being homeschooled, plus a toddler and a new baby on the way.

I have thought that, because my eldest is HIGHLY distractible, that we should have separate desks so they can work without seeing each other. But, we often end up working at the dining room table, where I can sit across from them and monitor both simultaneously. They do tend to bother each other more, though, if, say, the 5yo is mumbling to himself as he works while the 8yo is trying to listen to me call spelling words, etc.

I'm also trying to figure out what to do for storage in the new room. There won't be any built-in closets so I need to come up with my own solutions. We have been using Sonlight for the last few years, so we have LOTS of books, plus the usual variety of manipulatives, games, writing instruments, paper, crafts, and assorted stuff. I may well have my computer and a kids' computer in there, too. (If they're together, it's easier to keep an eye on their usage!)

And what else do we need? What makes a great space? Any thoughts on good things for getting comfy/snuggling up? I'm sure we'll use the living room for reading as we normally do, but I always wish I had a big, comfy space - maybe a giant bean bag? I am pretty sure they cost a fortune, though!

Thanks for any thoughts! I'm excited to begin learning in our new environment!

[keyley1090]

I definitely like the bean bag idea, especially for quiet/reading time!

If you normally sit across from each other at the dining room table and you think this would end up happening even if you have a room dedicated to home schooling, put a table somewhat like a dining room table in there and then have a separate desk for your computer.

If your sons are easily distractable, put a separate desk in there as well and when they're working on their separate things, separate them. When you're playing a game or doing a group project, sit at the big table. I also suggest a big book shelf that has various sized shelves. We use a big book case and while some shelves just have books, others have wooden or plastic baskets that hold art supplies, paper, pens, pencils.

You could also get a plastic mobile chest, like this one:

http://www.officemax.com/catalog/sku...=23-85743263-2

and you could give one drawer to each child so they can store their special art projects, pens, pencils, papers, own books, etc.

Another fun thing would be that paint-on chalk board. You paint two, maybe three coats on a wall and voila!- its now a chalkboard. If you or your child is allergic to chalk, you could just as easily buy a white board. Might be more expensive though.

You could make a kind of media center with the computers. Since you want to monitor their usage, if one child is done before the other, allow the child who is done to play an educational game that he chooses but you approve of. If he is caught doing something other than that, then you could ban him for a bit.

Good luck and just have fun with it. Definitely ask your children what color you should paint it and what they might like to see there.

[HeatherB]

GREAT ideas! Thanks so much! I love the idea of multiple pieces for multiple uses and being able to change it up. And with my kinesthetic learner(s), that's really critical.

[lmonter]

I'm not so much fan of beanbags. I just know my boys would, well, go all destructo on 'em. What about big floor pillows? Like couch-sized cushions or so? Great to sit on/curl up on, and multi purpose for fort-making and such. Bonus if you get washable covers on them, too.

[Momma Aimee]

For distratablity -- you could creat a "quiet desk" --- as much or as little as you need ...maybe jsut 'away" or ... i "created" a work space for one of my foster kids by putting the desk into a cornor of the room -- so there was a wall in front of him, and to one side and on the 3rd side we put a bookself -- flat back to the desk (books facing out) -- so he could pull himself in and work. (he also posted his cheat sheets and on the 3 sides). really helped him.

then you all can just "group" at teh table for group games or joint things.

i know i could not do my work ata table with you reading spelling words to another child, and so many children read to themselves or mumble when the read and work when they are young -- a bit of space is no doubt a good thing.

[Casha'sMommy]

Aimee- I love love love the idea of making the "cubby" space for your dfc when he needed to sink into his work. That's a fabulous idea!
Hope you don't mind if I snag that one for my dc ;-)
We're turning dd's closet into a quiet reading space for her by putting in a small bookcase and big pillows. There's a light in the ceiling already so I'm just going to change the fixture to a lower hanging chandelier style lamp and we'll be painting and possibly adding some wall decals that fit the current fad.

Heather B- We're going to purchase this system for the fall and add workbox like baskets or something on the large shelves and I'm hoping to use the smaller storage spaces for small supplies like glue and crayons, etc.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S79837879
I think I may also purchase another smaller piece to match the one above for my resources once I have more of them.
I like that we can use the shelves on different walls and in different configurations and that we can use them for some toys now but add more school stuff later.

[Momma Aimee]

Originally Posted by Casha'sMommy

Aimee- I love love love the idea of making the "cubby" space for your dfc when he needed to sink into his work. That's a fabulous idea!
Hope you don't mind if I snag that one for my dc ;-)
We're turning dd's closet into a quiet reading space for her by putting in a small bookcase and big pillows. There's a light in the ceiling already so I'm just going to change the fixture to a lower hanging chandelier style lamp and we'll be painting and possibly adding some wall decals that fit the current fad.

Heather B- We're going to purchase this system for the fall and add workbox like baskets or something on the large shelves and I'm hoping to use the smaller storage spaces for small supplies like glue and crayons, etc.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S79837879
I think I may also purchase another smaller piece to match the one above for my resources once I have more of them.
I like that we can use the shelves on different walls and in different configurations and that we can use them for some toys now but add more school stuff later.

go for it -- that is why i posted it. We also did it with a little girl and her bed -- well the head of her bed -- used a dresser to "wall" in the top part of her bed to "block out the world".

i loooooooooove the reading closet. I lush after a walk in clost i can convert like that. We are on teh move list (have to get the house on the market in June) and it is on my wish list for the new house.

Also I will be paining a wall in a school room *(if i get one) with chalkboad and maegent paint. .......that was the paln for our to-be-finsihed basement but we hope to be moved and not fisnish it.

[zebra15]

Storage, lots of storage. Make sure the room is kid friendly but no so the kids feel like they are abandoned in there.
Are you going to use this only for school but will this double as a play room/craft room too?

[HeatherB]

Such great ideas!

This will be primarily a school room. They'll have a playroom upstairs and separate bedrooms down. We'll have to see how much else needs to fit in the school room (my "office" that will no longer exist may end up sharing space), and I have to decide if my computer will be in there or elsewhere. But, the main purpose is to be conducive to learning fun.

[Believing God]

I think a couple of desks would be good, and a table if you have room. The desks could be seperated, with the table between. I would think that as long as you are still in the same room, you should be able to do spelling with one child and monitor the other without them being that close. I would suggest an area for your littler ones, too - a space with some floor area and a small table, maybe, where the littles can hang out while the older ones are schooling.