You can find Living and Schooling in Small Spaces, Part I here.  Living and Schooling in Small Spaces, Part II here.  Dana's little piece of blogdom can be found here, at The Sunny Side of the Room. ♥

In the same room, we have a corner where the piano sits. Most of the piano practice happens during the morning chore time and then again in the evening.

Yes, we have a library-hallway too! This is my husband's most favorite and he reminded me to tell you about it. He thoroughly enjoys turning sideways to pass the shelves when the kids don’t quite push the books in all the way. ;)

The hallway closet has four shelves saved for school storage; curriculum that we aren’t currently using. Under that is the educational games shelf. We do have an attic that I used to store this stuff in, but the intense heat was warping the books and binders.

Lastly, my husband built loft beds for my 3 boys, who share a room. Under each bed they have a desk, bookshelf and bulletin board. They retreat here when they need to concentrate in quiet. As in any home, things are constantly morphing to fit the needs of growing individuals. We are extremely hard on our home because we live in it 24 hours a day. I remember the first time I read Kendra’s words reminding us that most of us left for school during the day, and our mothers tidied up behind us. This is a completely different lifestyle than I grew up in. My kids don’t leave. I need to have different expectations. Thankfully, my husband is very easy going and doesn’t mind a home that looks lived in. He’s a good balance for me as I seek to keep my expectations within reason. And I do my best to set up our home so my kids and husband aren’t frustrated by trying to keep it all perfect, yet at the same time can feel a sense of order and peace during their day.

Dana's Part One of Living and Schooling in Small Spaces can be found here. ♥

The dresser above (which will someday be painted black) holds manipulatives for math and phonics, coloring books, art supplies and some office supplies. Dictionaries and thesaurus are kept on top. Hanging above the dresser is a huge cork board where we pin not only the latest drawings and projects but also any lists, instructions and information we are currently learning about. Just by hanging it here, my students upload the information amazingly fast.

As soon as my daughter could sit in a chair unaided (above), I made her a little spot so she could be near us during the school day. The table top has had to hold up to tea parties, watercolors, play dough, and lots of coloring. At six years old, it is still her favorite spot in the house.

Above the dining table hangs a white board and corkboard combo that holds a yearly pocket calendar. This is a catch-all for sports game schedules and invitations. Each week I write appointments and practice schedules under the appropriate days and often the dinner menu. This saves me from hearing, “What’s today Mom?”, or, “How many days until…?” They just check the board.

This is the reading corner in our living room. The box on the table holds everyone’s book(s) they are currently reading and our read aloud. One floor basket contains books on a single subject-- currently weather. The other basket holds our other library books. ♥ Come back Friday for Living and Schooling in Small Spaces, Part III.

I am SO excited to bring you a series this week written by my sweet friend Dana.  Dana and her family live in a small house on walnut acreage her husband farms.  They homeschool their four children with grace, joy, and a terrific use of space.  I hope you enjoy what Dana shares! p.s.  She pronounces her name "Danna" :) ♥ Our home isn’t a matchbox, but for this family of two adults and four growing children it takes some creative organizing to make school and life fit. Years ago, a homeschooling mom of four told me that her goal was to have a home that didn’t show any signs of schooling. Ha! Ha ha! Totally unrealistic for me. Here are the big ways we use our little spaces. Our kitchen/dining/school area/bedroom (just kidding on the bedroom part):

We have two tables in this area. Both are used for school but this one holds the daily stuff. The other one we keep clutter-free for dining. The picture above was taken during a busy school day. What is out on the table can be easily put away in a just a few minutes. (The second computer is awaiting its permanent home in the mudroom.) For inquiring minds, that black thing on the right is a treadmill. Think: very active boys on rainy days.

The book shelf above holds only what we are currently using and reference material. I attempt to make it as uncluttered and coordinated as possible. I don’t have an office, so a little corner of the bookshelf holds binders that contain info that I need weekly. Underneath the shelf, we keep baskets of books by subject. This makes it easy for me to retrieve what I need quickly and keeps things from being scattered in every direction. Each child has a cubbie, a box and book slots to keep them organized. ♥ Good stuff, isn't it?  Part two to come on Wednesday.  Please feel free to comment or ask questions about Dana's organizational systems (and that cute apple-- what's in it, Dana?)