Get organized: 7 tips for applying Minimalism to your homeschool



As a homeschooling mother of 5 children, I am a collector of the “stuff”. You know, flashcards, workbooks, books, craft kits, books, notepads, books (did I mention books?). Alot of this stemmed from my planning too much back when I first started…too many good ideas for the time I had.  Since I started homeschooling six years ago,  I have learned a few tricks to help keep my “stuff” for my homeschool at bay…

• Prioritize time and materials for core subjects first, extras second. Your “stuff” for core materials should be more than your materials for extras. i.e.  you should have more level 1 reading books for your kindergartener/1st grader than you do craft activities in your homeschool closet.

• Use up books in their entirety before buying another book that works on the same thing.

• Keep a recycle bin or bag by your homeschool desk/area. If a worksheet is done but not being kept for an end of the year portfolio or project then release it to the recycle bin. Yes, it is your child’s good work but it is okay to not keep every single paper they complete. I promise.

• Same goes for their pictures and artwork. Save the favorites. We save the favorites and they hang on the fridge for one month. After that they are sorted into keep for the portfolio or recycle. If you must, you can lay out 4 together, take a picture and then put that smaller picture into the portfolio. This is a brilliant spacesaver if you are someone who can’t bear to throw away a little one’s artwork.



“These hands make alot of art work”.

• Go through one area of your homeschool every week. Organize. Clean. Purge. This may mean a bookshelf one week, or the the crayon box the following week. The point is not how big the project is but that you are picking at least one thing each week….(p.s. the broken crayons are great to sort out and keep in a separate container to have little ones with fine motor issues color with as part of their OT program, or put them in muffin tins and bake for a great painting project)…

• If you are someone who has a hard time limiting yourself when you find yourself at a craft store or teaching store, then limit your trips. And when you do go, take either a list or a budget and stick to it. If never becomes clutter if it never comes into your home!
• Organization is your friend. You will find all kinds of time in your homeschool day if you are organized. Group like things/subjects together (another great way to see exactly how many books on Early Egypt that you have), and organize either by subject or grade level; whichever works the best for you!