I used to have neat bookcases. I really did. I probably need an intervention but I'm trying to sort out the whole situation before that. I have not had a Big Clear out in 5 years. It's time.
This one below is the current bookcase. All that should be in here are the materials we are currently using. I can easily see that many books not currently in use are spending time here.
Here are some of the homeschool books I AM currently using- they're under things I'm not currently using and behind the big lego bin! No wonder it's so time consuming to find what I need for the week.
This book case (below) should be the most organised and I'll give it credit that it's not too bad. Top shelf Language arts, 2nd down math, 3rd down history 4th and fifth general readers and resource books. There is a tall, tall pile on top of this bookcase that I missed getting in the picture and I have no idea what some of that stuff is.
This book case is meant to be teaching resources on the top 2 rows and science books on the bottom three. It's very mixed up. The overflow sits beside it.
The green plastic thing (below) is supposed to be all science kits and math manipulatives. It's not TOO bad but could be better. The plastic shelfs beside it are arts and crafts materials and it's a true mess. It used to be that each drawer was for a specific category but it's all mixed up.
The goal. Sort one category at a time and try selling online or readying for local spring curriculum sales and give away days. I sorted math (most of it) this morning and find that I have so many math books my kids have outgrown. Fully 3/4's of our math books are for grades 3 and under. Even Tristan will be past the oldest of those very soon if not already. I even found half a dozen counting books! I get terribly overwhelmed selling lots of individual items, which is probably why this has all built up. I sell or loan the big ticket items easily enough but all these individual things what to do with them? I do some paperback swap but sometimes that gets too overwhelming for me. I don't always know when I can next get to the post office.
Excuses, excuses, all excuses aside. Math is sorted and ready to put out to pasture and hopefully to homes that need it. Next stop, language arts.
5 comments:
UGH! I'm so overwhelmed. I know we have to get rid of things before we move...but I can't imagine what.
I have zillions of books...and honestly I CAN'T say "Oh, I don't need anything under 3rd grade" because I still have kids that range from preschool - high school....well the college kids don't want me to get rid of the Cornerstone Stuff they used...it's all a mess. I have to bring some order to not only the school stuff but the garage, the attic etc...before the movers come.
Mike started loading the van with stuff yesterday- I guess he decided it's best to get it out of here than for me to stress planning a never happening garage sale. LOL
Oh, Jodi...I'm right there with you. I thought I would be able to get rid of some things, but then the Littles came along and I have no idea what I will need. I look forward to reading and seeing your progress!
Hi Jodi,
I'm going through a clearing out stage as well. I did sell a lot when I had the books business but found that it was just too time-consuming the way I was doing it. So, I've recently tried selling in bundles. For example, 6 Redwall books, 10 Dr Suess books, 10 Horrible Histories, that sort of thing. It's going well.
I wonder if you could sell your Stuff in a bundle or a pack? Like 'All the Maths you'll need for the first 3 years' or something like that? LOL! If you included some manipulatives, some text books, some workbooks(a variety of materials anyway), maybe in a nice plastic box all contained etc, surely someone would feel like they'd got a really good deal?{g}
I'm at the point where I'm SAD that there are things I was looking forward to doing that we never had time for and will never now need.
I'm feeling very nostalgic for those years of sitting cuddled up on the sofa reading and learning together. Now that Jack is being tutored in Chemistry and such like, those days have GONE! {sniff}
Bring on the Grandbabies!
Thanks for the ideas Dorothy. I need all the help I can get with this endevour. I've absolutely got to clear out a lot we just don't have a lot of extra space. I'm going to try to sell as much in sets as possible.
I feel for you. I had a big clear out a few years ago when I switched from SL to TOG, but it's probably about time again. I have quite a few things I haven't used yet and will most likely not...
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