It’s the most wonderful time of the year! No, Not Christmas, Back To School!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! No, My girls will be heading back in just a couple weeks and we’ve started working on morning and evening routines.
I love reviewing and updating how we keep everything organized for school each August. One important system that I decided to create for the girls this year was a homework station.
I wanted to make a space where they could hang their book bags, drop off important papers, and do homework. We have what we call “the awkward wall” in our house. I knew that would house the new homework station perfectly!
Here are the items that we used for our homework station :
1. A Dry Erase Calendar
2. Dry Erase Boards- I used picture frames and inserted patterned scrapbook paper to make them pop!
3. An In/Out Basket for important papers
4. Inspiring Art
5. Pencils, Pens, Highlighters, Notecards, Erasers, Calculator
I wanted the girls to be able to have quick access to the things they may use such as sticky notes, extra pencils and washi tape of course! I purchased clear bins that were the perfect size to fit inside this shallow desk drawer.
Adding some florals is always a good thing. This floral arrangement is perfect without taking up too much space.
I’m so in love with how our space turned out!
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when creating your homework station:
- Assess your family’s needs BEFORE you shop.
- Make sure your space is functional in addition to being visually appealing.
- Be sure to include adequate storage to hold all necessary school supplies. This will help keep your space tidy.
- Include a space where the kids can drop off important school papers.
Below I listed out of school supplies to consider in your homework station – separated by age group.
Elementary School
- Backpack
- Lunchbag
- #2 Pencils
- Erasers
- Pencil Box or Pencil Pouch
- Pencil Sharpener
- Pens
- Colored Pencils
- Highlighters
- 12 inch Ruler
- 5 inch Blunt Tip or Point Tip Scissors
- Gluesticks (lots of them!)
- 4 oz. Glue
- Wide Ruled 1 Subject Notebook
- Composition Notebook
- Loose Leaf Filler Paper Wide Rule
- Folders
- 3 Ring Binder or Zipper Binder
- Crayons
- Markers
- Watercolor Paint
- Ruled Index Cards
Middle School Supplies
- Backpack
- Lunchbag
- #2 Pencils
- Eraser
- Pencil Sharpener
- Pens
- Highlighters
- Markers
- 12 inch Ruler
- Tape
- Scissors
- USB Flash Drive
- TI Calculator
- Ruled Index Cards
- Folders
- One Subject Spiral Notebooks
- Composition Notebook
- Loose Leaf Filler Paper Wide Rule
- 3 Ring Binder or Zipper Binder
- 3 Ring Binder Hole Punch
- Tabbed Dividers
- Stapler
- Weekly Planner
- Book Covers
High School Supplies
- Backpack or Messenger Bag
- Lunchbag
- #2 Pencils
- Colored Pencils
- Pencil Sharpener
- Pens: Red, Blue, Black
- Highlighters
- Markers
- 12 inch Ruler
- TI Calculator
- Dictionary
- Thesaurus
- Pocket Folders
- Single-Subject Spiral Notebooks
- Sticky Notes
- Sticky Flags
- College Ruled Loose Leaf 3 Hole Paper
- Tabbed Dividers
- Book Covers
- Wire Bound Weekly Planner
- 3-Ring Binder
- USB Flash Drives
There you have it! A functional space for the kids to do their homework. I know it’s going to be a great and organized school year!
What are some organizational systems that you have put in place for your kids this year?
Happy Organizing
Nicole
Emily says
Hi Nicole –
Thanks so much for a great post. Your home is so lovely!! I know this is a little off-topic, but I caught a glimpse of your planners in a couple of photos and wondered which one you used? Thanks!
Nicole Patterson says
Thank you so much Emily !! I actually use The Happy Planner, which is what’s in the photo. My daughters also use those as well because they have student edition too. Hope that helps !