Homeschooling in a small house – part 1

Our family lives in a small house.  For the past four years, we have used our dining room for our homeschool.  (How I would love a schoolroom!) However, this year, we had to get a little creative and have now changed the dining room into a bedroom!  (You do what you have to do, you know ;0)

For our family, it is best to have a space set aside for homeschooling.  My children and I all do better when we are at a table instead of around the coffee table or sitting on the couch.    And my kitchen is too small for 6 people to sit in and do school for hours everyday.  So for us, I had to figure out how to set up a school area.

This is where it got tricky and took a lot of trial and error.  We have found a solution to our problem and I thought that I would share it in case someone else out there shares a similar situation.  This also helps answer the question that I’m  always asked - where  do you do your homeschooling?

1.  We had to look at our house and find a usable space.

We needed our space to be large enough for all 5 children to be in it at the same time.  I needed everyone in one space so I could monitor learning and help as needed.  Also, it helps cut down on mishaps with the toddler and preschooler.  The space also needed to be open enough for the children to move about in without disturbing others. 

We determined that the corner that holds our coat rack would be a good space to try.

2.  We had to purchase a few additional items such as a foldable table.

We purchased this foldable 6 foot table from Target when it was on sale around Thanksgiving.  We pull up chairs as needed and the small ones can sit on the bench on the coat rack. 

Actually, I have recently turned the coat rack up against the short wall and the table is coming off of the wall where the coat rack is pictured above.  This enables the four older children to sit on both sides and the baby or me at the end.  I just haven’t taken a picture of it and I’m too tired to do it right now!   ~ Updated pictures will be added later.~

3.  We needed to be able to put the school room away at the end of the day.

Since this is our primary living space, we fold the table and put it away after we are done.  The chairs are carried back to their spaces.  The table is also very easily stored in another place if we need to get it out of the living room.  Another added plus is that we can use this table for many things too – parties, having other families over, etc.  It was well worth the money we spent.

But what about posters and visual helps?  What about supplies and books?  More about that in post 2…