Over halfway through August- can you believe it? We have two more weekends of our “summer” before we dive into our new fall schedule and school year. We plan to start the Tuesday after Labor Day, when Kaitlyn returns to 3 mornings a week preschool.
At this point my nerves have subsided. Having had a summer break, we are already in an at-home rhythm. Hailey is excited about having mom be her teacher and I envision our days will fill up with lessons, of course, but also with exploring, cooking, and being out and about. Honestly, I’m quite giddy about the whole thing and really looking forward to having some quality one on one time with my big girl.
I mentioned we went through a total overhaul of our playroom to transform it into a space for learning, creating, and having fun. I promised myself I wouldn’t get hung up on making it look perfect, so though interior decorators may not be asking me for tips, I’m really thrilled how it turned out!
However, before I dive into the details, I think it’s worth taking note of the “before” to really appreciate the transformation:
Um, yeah. Pure chaos.
The biggest change happened when we replaced the old, green carpet that had been there since we moved in. We donated the baby toys, threw away broken items, and added new carpet- boom! Clean slate.
Having this fresh, new slate to start from was really exciting. I promised myself that nothing would go back in the room without a proper place, then got to work.
Let me take you on a quick tour! First up, the heart of the room, the table I scored on facebook marketplace for under $100. I LOVE the blue.
I found these whimsical word prints on Etsy and searched for the cheapest gold frames I could find to hang them in. I’m pleased with how it came out!
The rug is from Rugs USA where I found it on clearance for under $100. When it showed up, it was more bold than I was expecting, but it’s grown on me. Also, it’s purpose is to be there to collect and hide paint, markers, and other items that are sure to fly off the table at some point, so bold is probably good.
Speaking of markers, paint, glue, and other supplies…
We are stocked! I have all our curriculum in hand, and I’m ready to go with a new stack of construction paper, tape, glue, scissors, paint, fat pencils… the works! Though most of the art supplies are tucked safely away inside our little storage area because… three year olds.
Opposite the table looks like this:
I totally nerded out and bought educational posters. I felt a little silly, like playing school (though I guess I am?), but they’ve really been a hit so far! They are high quality and Hailey often reads through them. We have the keyboard with note stickers and a karaoke machine too, which gets a lot of love.
Then there is the storage, complete with cube cubies from Ikea. We are stocked on games (very popular at our house right now), puzzles, magnatiles, and baby dolls. My favorite thing about this wall though, are the art display boards!
I really look forward to switching out the art displayed each week, especially the seasonal art pieces. The clip boards, which are available in different colors, are sturdy and strong and even arrived with the right screws for hanging them.
We tend to talk a lot about the world and we’ve had the large map up for a while. There are color-coded stickers that show where we all have traveled to. Yellow is David, green is for me, and blue is where we’ve been as a family. We have a lot more we want to add!
To round things out we still have the play kitchen, complete with fruit and vegetable prints, which the girls use as “recipes.”
Then there is the reading corner with our giant Love Sac and forward facing bookshelves.
Hailey still draws Koda in our family pictures because “she’s still our dog mom, she just lives in heaven now.” <3 <3 <3
The best part of it all is that since the transformation, both girls have been really adamant about everything going back in its proper place when they are finished playing with it. Will that last forever? One can only hope, but the room stays spic ‘n span right now, which basically makes it my favorite room in the house.
So as for school itself…
I’ve been through our curriculum a few times and really only need to read about the upcoming week each Sunday, so I feel good about our writing and math. For the rest of the subjects (as much as you have subjects in kindergarten), I’m doing themed units each month. September is not so surprisingly on APPLES and I’ll be sharing my plans for that unit soon. Whether you homeschool or not, I’ve found some fun books, activities, and recipes that will fit right into the beginning of fall.
OH! And I have an amazing tip for you that I got from a reader (Thank you Alison!!). You must check out Thrift Books, an online used book store that offers serious discounts.
I mentioned the books I really wanted to get for our Kindergarten library and was told to check out Thrift Books. I found so many of the books I needed in great used condition and now I’m hooked!
Use this referral link for 15% off your first order. I got these 4 books delivered to me for less than $12. Amazing!
So the room is set, the curriculum is in hand, and the excitement is high. We’re ready to dive in and get started!
JOHN J STATHAS says
Terrific job on that room, teach! Go!!!
Laura says
It turned out AMAZING! I wish we had the space for a homeschool room. Instead we are considering moving the kids into the master bedroom along with all of their toys and a small workspace.
I am hoping to finally get our curriculim organized this weekend. I can’t believe September is just around the corner!
Sara says
Love the bookshelves! Could you share where you found them?
Brittany Dixon says
The forward facing ones? David built them using a cheap piece of wood with a piece of molding on the front. He said it was simple if you or anyone around you is handy 🙂
Sara says
Oh, thanks! There might be a little DIY in my husband’s future (I am not handy…lol) 😉
Brynn says
The space is amazing! I love the rug, it adds a great pop of color and interest. What a fun way to get ready for school!
Heather says
So exciting!! The room looks great! I can’t wait to hear more about your homeschooling adventures!
Taryn says
The room looks fabulous! I am envious that “everything goes back in its place.” My kids don’t quite understand that concept yet 🙂
Kindergarten is such a fun time! My son is going into 1st grade, and last year he learned so much and really changed as a person. So grown up now! Can’t wait to follow along on your homeschool adventures!
Brittany Dixon says
The everything in its place concept is new around here, haha, and I’m hoping it just sticks around for a bit!
Alison says
Looks great! And happy to hear Thriftbooks had what you were looking for! Can’t beat the prices and rewards they offer!!
Brittany Dixon says
I was seriously in awe over the prices! Thank you again!
Laura says
This will be a great environment for learning! Are your maps dry erase? I’ve been using large dry erase United States and world maps in my classroom to also identify current events. Right now I have Monday’s total eclipse path drawn on it. Unfortunately my school is not in the path but I’ll be taking the day off to travel with my family to observe this “once in a lifetime” event. I have also used the opportunity to explain the math behind the eclipse (why and when it happens, and what will happen if you are in the path of totality).
Brittany Dixon says
We are making a quick trip to be in the path of totality too! You know, I do think my map is dry erase and will have to look more into that once we start school. What a great idea; thank you!!
Jess says
THANK YOU for mentioning ThriftBooks. I am an avid reader (with a 4-year-old son I’m also trying to turn into an avid reader) and I’d never heard of ThriftBooks before. I just went on there and bought $50 worth of books using your referral link – and will receive 16 books for myself and my son! That’s an average of $3.13 a book, which is unheard of. I will be filling my bookshelves from this site and LOVE that it is helping to find used books a new home where they will be treasured. Thank you!
Brittany Dixon says
I’m so glad you found it as exciting as I did!! $20 books for $2- crazy. I hope yours show up in as great of condition as mine did. I’ll definitely be ordering more myself. Happy reading!! 🙂
julie says
i was all prepared to write some lovely comment about how great your room looks and then i read hailey’s words about koda and started crying. what is wrong with me!? ugh. she’s so sweet and she’s totally right… koda is definitely part of the family always. <3
Brittany Dixon says
Her words make me tear up too but hearing how often the girls tell Koda stories makes me so happy. Now that the pain has subsided, remembering her crazy antics makes me smile <3 Give Sadie a snuggle for me! 🙂
Sherry says
It is perfect!! So inviting. Almost makes me want to find a child to home school 😉
Trudie Wooten says
It looks great but I do have one warning from a veteran home schooler. Please, please consider another math curriculum besides math u see! I have had 4 friends whose children are being forced to re-learn math, in some cases as much as 2 years worth because math u see did not prepare them for high school math. One friend’s daughter tested 4 grade levels below where she was expected to be despite faithful use of the program. I know everyone raves about math u see and it is pushed at conferences, but in practice I see it churning out kids who at best hate math, and at worse can’t do math. Please consider using Miquon, Singapore, Saxon, Life of Fred, or buying used public school texts. I’ve home schooled for more than 10 years and I promise you won’t regret making the change now, but you will almost certainly regret sticking with the program. Best of luck! Welcome to the great adventure of home schooling!
Brittany Dixon says
Interesting! What makes it so bad in your opinion? We’ll probably start with it, but much like anything, I am completely open to changing anything that’s not working for us along the way. I’d love to hear more about your opinion on what they do wrong. Thanks so much for the comment!
Trudie Wooten says
Please keep in mind, I never used MUS, I’ve only seen the results. I used Miquon,then Singapore, and now Great Courses with my daughter. She will be a high school freshman this fall (yikes!) and will be doing pre calculus/advanced trigonometry for math. Her best friend whose mom faithfully used MUS has spent the summer repeating 7th and 8th grade math with a tutor because she was not ready to do algebra-lacking understanding of key math concepts because they weren’t taught or were glossed over by MUS. In my opinion, I think that the spiraling nature of Miquon and Singapore, and the fact that they introduce all math basics from the start (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division/fractions, money) gives kids a more solid basis. Also, since MUS focuses on one topic at a time with so much repetition, I think it gets boring for kids and it is easy to tune out. It seems to me that the MUS kids have much poorer retention than kids using other math programs. Finally, I’ve seen kids absolutely lost in grade level science classes at Co op, because MUS had not covered fractions, decimals, and other key math concepts for science at the same grade level. Fact mastery is fine, but not at the expense of the big picture.
I’m sorry this is so long! I’m passionate about this because I have seen the consequences. Let me know if you have other questions. Happy to help!
Brittany Dixon says
This is so helpful and I will be super mindful of everything you shared as we get started. Saxon was another one I had looked into so maybe I’ll swing by our homeschool store and get my hands on it again to further compare. I appreciate your input!!
Rachel says
I love hearing about homeschooling! It is so far away from where I am in my life right now, but it is fascinating and so cool. Thanks for sharing with us!
Kelli H says
The “class room” looks great! You’ve done an awesome job. The part about Hailey drawing Koda in your family pictures literally made me cry. 🙁 It is just TOO sweet! <3
Vicki says
Hailey’s drawing of Koda made my heart melt. Then I read the linked post and tried not to cry. We have a 2-year old Vizsla – he’s my whole heart and that post so completely captures this special breed. Going to give my sweet boy extra snuggles and butt scratches tonight!
Brittany Dixon says
They are such a sweet breed <3 Give yours a snuggle for me!
Rebecca Griffin says
Where is that little caddy supplies shelf from?
Brittany Dixon says
I got it at Homegoods near the kid section!