Setting up your homeschool classroom can be the most fun…and the most intimidating part of homeschooling! Whether you have a dedicated homeschool room or no homeschool room, basic elements run throughout the setup process. New and interesting homeschool room ideas give the extra “punch” and flare to make it uniquely your own.
My Classroom
My homeschool classroom functions as a multi-use space. We do school at the kitchen table. We recently moved into a small rental as we build a new house. Another move on the horizon means uprooting… again. The two back bedrooms are filled floor to ceiling with unpacked boxes. Many of my books and materials are there…somewhere. I saved the main tubs with materials and rescued boxes labeled “manuals” enabling me to function.
The beauty of homeschooling is that it allows you to be so flexible. Whatever space you inhabit, whatever life circumstances occur you flow along with family, school, and life!
I share my homeschool room with you to inspire you…not with how amazing and beautiful it is, but that in its simple ordinariness, you will see it is achievable to set up an easy functional classroom. There is no elaborate strategy, no mysterious formula. My daughters simply bring their books to the table.
In fact, they set the table up like this because this is how they like to organize themselves for the work day. This set-up emerged as we homeschooled each day.
We combine Montessori materials and” The Good and the Beautiful” curriculum. I feel confident using only Montessori, but we’ve done so much moving, and continue to move, that I wanted an open-and-go book curriculum for the times we are traveling, packed up in boxes, or staying somewhere other than our home. The Good and the Beautiful flows nicely with Montessori because it is very hands-on and filled with learning games. I use materials for math and language as much as possible as we work through the curriculum.
Materials require organization whether they are manipulative or books and papers. When gathering homeschool room ideas, organization must be considered. Our shelf and “locker” are set up in the living room.
Our Materials
Top Shelf
The top shelf basket holds multiplication books. The books to the right of the basket include unit studies.
Second Shelf Down
The second shelf down holds the Montessori Bead Bars which we will use for squaring, square roots, multi-digit multiplication, and review of place value and addition facts. The stamp game on the right will be used for division work this year.
Third Shelf Down
The third shelf down includes the Large Bead Frame and the Long Division Material. The Large Bead Frame will help with the conceptual understanding and the process of multi-digit multiplication and place value. The Long Division Material will provide practice with division.
Bottom Shelf
The bottom shelf holds the Decimal Board and Fraction Pieces. Emphasis on decimals begins in upper elementary and the conceptual understanding is foundational! We will use the material for reading and building decimal numbers and operating on numbers (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division).
The fractional material will be a visual for equivalency, operations, reducing and simplifying fractions, and percents and decimals.
You can just barely see the Judy Clock off to the left. The Judy Clock is essential in my classroom for teaching time. Nothing teaches time like children manipulating the hands on the clock!
The Locker
My daughters love their locker! They each get two shelves for books and personal materials. This is a homeschool room idea they initiated. Having their own space to organize and decorate brings them so much joy!
Fresh, Inspiring Homeschool Room Ideas
We all love to be inspired with new ideas, tips, and tricks for our homeschool room, which is why I curated an inspirational Pinterest Board for the occasion of inspiring us all for a new school year. I have included sections for outdoor classroom spaces, art areas, reading nooks, small/no classroom organization, budget-friendly inspiration, and more! Check it out and Follow Owl Tree on Pinterest for more Homeschooling and Montessori inspiration!
Inspiring Homeschool Bloggers
I am inspired by so many other homeschooler moms and their classrooms. They hit those basic tenets of a functional classroom and inspire us with new and fresh homeschool room ideas. I want to share my favorites with you.
The Vanilla Tulip shares her homeschooling experience in small and large spaces. She also shares how she organizes the curriculum for her six kids! In addition, she shares homeschool tips and pictures from other homeschool moms.
Not Consumed shares two favorite classroom setups she’s used over the years. One is a dedicated room, and the other (current) is a multi-functional shared space. She shares space-saving organizers and furniture, and her system for organizing curriculum. She includes links to other articles she has written about homeschool room ideas and shares her Pinterest Board for homeschool organization.
The Pragmatic Parent focuses on small spaces. She lists teacher and student supplies needed for your room and shares 15 other inspirational homeschool classrooms.
The Heathered Nest shares a collection of 21 homeschooler classrooms highlighting a particular element each uses based on their space.
Singing a New Song shares how she changes her classroom throughout the seasons. A designated high school space highlights a much-needed detail for many homeschoolers.
Just Start Setting Up
I hope you found some inspiration for setting up your classroom this year!
Regardless, just start setting up with what you have. Keep things simple and make it your own. You will be amazed at how the inspiration and ideas start flowing!