When I began homeschooling three years ago, I took my child, who’d already been in a traditional school since Kindergarten, out of school to finish second grade at home. I wanted her environment to be fun and to promote learning just like her classroom at school. We went shopping at our local dollar stores and found some great posters, teaching aids, and inexpensive school supplies. We worked together to make her classroom the kind she could look forward to working in.

Our Classroom '08-'09

No matter where you choose to do your lessons with your kids, you can make that area fun! From an entire room, to a computer cabinet used only for homeschool, the possibilities are endless. Here are some ideas to help you get creative with your schooling environment!

1. Second-hand school desks and chairs can make working on lessons individually easier and more productive. Many thrift stores carry them due to school district surplus. We got ours you see below for less than $30 including the chair!
   

   My 4th Grade Daughter's Desk

2. Alphabet letters, days of the week calendars, phonics and math posters give visual guides and helps for students. The bright cheery colors help promote a positive work environment. You can find maps, fact families, cursive handwriting and other posters according to your child’s needs. We found all of ours at dollar stores!
3. Dry Erase boards are wonderful for teaching instruction. Have your kids “come up to the board” to answer math questions, have races, or just to solidify a concept!
4. Have your books set up like a mini library. Build your library by finding classics and great children’s literature at yard sales, thrift stores and used book stores! Have your kids help you set up a form of the Dewey Decimal System to help them learn how to use the library even when they aren’t at the actual library.
5. Set up learning stations. This is a great way to deal with the child who gets their work done before you are finished one on one teaching with another child. They can simply rotate through a station quietly and not disturb anyone else. How about a cozy reading chair for silent reading time?

Our "Mini" Library!

Anything you can do to make your learning area fun and inviting, do it! You’ll find your child will appreciate all the time and effort you put into it and they just might like helping making special too!!

You can follow Beth at her blog, Coming Up For Air, where she blogs about homeschooling, green living, urban homesteading and much more!