"....Your children shall be like olive plants all around your table." Psalm 128:3

Monday, August 20, 2012

Our Dual-purpose School Room

Hi friends,

Today is the big day: we begin our new curriculum .  And I wanted to share some photos of our school room (formerly our oldest daughter's bedroom) with you. It's one of my favorite rooms in our house.   :)

My hubby is a carpenter - the (indulge me, please, while I brag on my man) best carpenter  because he learned from the best: my beloved father-in-law.

So when I casually mentioned to him that I would like some bookshelves for school books in the play room, I could see the wheels starting to turn. And he started spitting out suggestions faster than I could process them!  What we ended up with is a wonderful room full of bookshelves, maps, and well, it's what I consider a room full of learning.....

Lots and lots of books... but these aren't just school books. And we already need more shelf space. Ok, I confess: I'm a book hoarder!   ;)


                                                 Scriptures and maps...



                       Photos of favorite historical figures ("Stonewall" Jackson and Robert E. Lee).


                    Rope lights around the closet doors add extra light to the room.


  The children picked out the material for me to make these curtains and pillows. This is a favorite reading spot for them.


I never tire of the view from this window and I love the wide window sill. It's where I keep my lesson schedule book.


                       Mimi likes to sit at her tea party table and  do her "lessons". 


             We started a new tradition a few years ago: our younger children's handprints on the wall.


                   And our grandchildren, too. Little Evelette's handprints have yet to be added.   :)


                     What's a school room without Old Glory?




                            One of my favorite things about the room: hubby made these desks.

He installed a light above each one and they are hinged to the wall, so you can "put them away" when our lessons are finished. (I looove this man!!!)





    Once the desks are folded up, it's time to get out the Lincoln Logs!



Now, let me clarify something. Just because we have a school room doesn't mean that we're confined to that room when we do our lessons. It is a wonderful place to have school, but we're not in that room all day every day.


                              My children have been known to do their lessons here...


                                                      ...or here...


                                                          ...or here...


                                                         ...or here...


                                                            ...or here..


                                                ...or even the front yard.


We believe that home education is not about a room. As Charlotte Mason said, "Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life."

Hope you enjoyed the "tour" of our dual-purpose school room.  :)

Happy homeschooling!










sharing with The Modest Mom























24 comments:

  1. I love looking at peoples school areas :)I hope to share ours soon. Such fun! I like that the desks are foldable, very clever. My hubby recently added a small room for our schooling pleasure but like you, we end up all over the place, wherever our educational travels take us :)

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    1. I can't wait to see your school room, my friend. :)
      So glad you stopped by. Hope you have a blessed week.
      Blessings,
      Lisa

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  2. It's all wonderful places for doing school work!! Especially love the window where you keep your schedule book, and all the hand prints of children and grandchildren! Happy 1st day of your 2012-2013 homeschool!!
    Blessings:)

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    1. Thanks so much for dropping by and visiting, Deanna. I hope your year is wonderful!!
      Much love,
      Lisa

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  3. In the beginning of my homeschooling journey, I created a schoolroom environment, but the boys really disliked this...so I stopped. I am now on my 13th year, with my oldest finishing this year, and they do their lessons pretty much everywhere around the cottage, or the car, or anywhere we might be.

    This, I believe, is the reason why homeschooling is so successful, it allows your children and yourself to fit comfortably within it.

    And by the way, that is one beautiful view!

    m.

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    1. Hello dear Maria,

      I forgot to mention the one location you reminded me of: our van. We have been known to do lessons there, too. :)
      So glad to see you here.
      Hope you're having a wonderful week.
      Many blessings,
      Lisa

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  4. What a clever husband you have! I love the desks. I agree you have a beautiful view as well. The handprints - too cute!! Hopping over from Modest Mom linkup.

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    1. Hi Dawn,

      So nice to "meet" you. thanks for stopping by. And I'm heading over to your blog now. :)

      Blessings,
      Lisa

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  5. Wow Lisa it looks so wonderful. And organized... I love it.

    Blessings,
    Amy Jo

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    1. Thanks, Amy Jo. However, the school room doesn't always look this organized. For example, today it's pretty UN-organized. ;) But I am completely ok with that. :)
      Hope you have blessed week.
      Love,
      Lisa

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  6. Hi Lisa, I hope you had a great first day. Thanks for the tour. One can never have too many bookshelves! Your classroom(s) are great! The foldable desks are ingenious! And the view is spectacular. Enjoy your first week!

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    1. Hello dear friend,
      We had a wonderful first day! The children were so excited last night, they had a hard time falling asleep. :)
      You're right - one can never have too many bookshelves - or books. ;)
      Much love to you,
      ~Lisa

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  7. Love this post, Lisa! I'll have to do a similar one -- how fun. :) The view out your window is one I could gaze at for hours on end; I have foothills and forest to look upon through my windows, you have a vast and flowing field. Is our God not the most amazing artist ever? From a fellow book hoarder, ~Lisa :)

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    1. Hi Lisa,

      I would love to see your school area! And a big Amen - He IS the most amazing artist - no Leonardo on earth could even come close. :)

      Glad to hear I'm not alone in the book-hoarding department. ;)

      Hope you're having a fantastic week, my friend!

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  8. Love-love-love your home and school room! (Note to self: do not covet!) And there's absolutely nothing wrong with being a book hoarder (as one to another). Thanks for the great post.

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    1. Hello Meghan,

      Wow...lots a book hoarders coming out of the closet. ;)

      Thanks so much for stopping and taking the time to leave a comment.

      Have a blessed week!

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  9. Great room!!! Love the shelves and folding desks. Wonderful!

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    1. Thanks, Jen. Hope you're have a wonderful week. :)

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  10. Beautiful home, my friend. Love the photos. So glad you're all enjoying your week. :)

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, dear friend. Hope you're having having a blessed week.
      Much love!

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  11. What a BEAUTIFUL "atmosphere" you (and your husband) have created for your family! I love all the options ... all the lovely personal touches ... and those amazing views!

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  12. Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a sweet comment, Glory. Hope you're having a wonderful week. :)
    Many blessings!

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  13. I love how you included so many pictures! And umm, can I say WOW on your front yard! How I yearn to get out of California......

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment, Jaclyn. I was afraid that I was posting too many pics for just one post, but I want to include everything my hubby did. :)
      Hope you having a wonderful day!

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Thanks so much for stopping by. I love to hear from my readers, and your thoughts are welcome. And I try my best to respond to each and every comment. :)