Create a Classroom in Your Home

Of the many home improvement projects on the to-do list, few homeowners imagined that creating a classroom in their homes was going to be a top priority this year.

Due to the ever-changing impacts of the coronavirus, students from preschool all the way to doctoral programs now have to learn, study, and test within their own homes. It's uncertain when traditional in-classroom learning will return to full capacity, and there's a good chance that remote learning opportunities will continue to be present throughout your student's life.

Thankfully, creating an effective and engaging "classroom" space is an easy home improvement project that homeowners of all budgets can accomplish.

• Decide on an Area
  First, you need to find an area of the home that your student can use as a classroom. Ideally, dedicating an unused room for their studies would be best, but lofts, dining rooms, patios, and even garages can be great spaces. The area that you choose needs to be able to accommodate all of the supplies necessary to keep your student prepared, productive, and comfortable. If you don't have the space to devote to a large home improvement project, finding a cozy corner of a little-used room like a guest room can be a perfect space for your makeshift classroom.
• Determine Necessary Materials
  Don't forget that this home improvement project requires materials like notebooks, pencils, printer paper, glue, and folders. Depending on grade level, your student may require a range of materials. Make a list of everything they'll need throughout the semester, including items they may only need on occasion. Once your list is created, consider creative storage options that keep everything within reach without making the space feel cluttered.
• Get the Student's Input
  Ultimately, the student will be spending the most time in this space, so be sure to let them have a say as much as possible. Whether it's picking out the types of pens and pencils they'll use or deciding where the desk will be located, let your student be as involved in this home improvement project as often as possible.
• Create the Right Environment for Learning
  Be careful not to go overboard or do too little on this home improvement project. Too much stimulation in the room can break a student's concentration, while too little stimulation can make the classroom feel like detention. Make sure the area for this home improvement project feels spacious but offers privacy, utilizes natural light that can be shaded, and contains comfortable furniture that will help the student keep a good posture.
• Create a Mobile Learning Box
  Of course, if your child is home all day, going to "school" won't feel like they're leaving the house. Along with this home improvement project, you'll need to also have a plan to help them stay on-task when they want to study in another location. To keep them stimulated, consider creating an easily transportable mobile learning box so you can take your education out of the "classroom." Whether it's bringing notebooks and textbooks to the backyard for studying under the sun or driving to a library or community center for a change of scenery, use this mobile box to help your student escape the monotony of their homeschool life and keep them engaged.

Homeschooling, even if your child is still enrolled virtually, is challenging for all members of the family. Thankfully, a few quick home improvement projects can help you create an effective classroom where your children can accomplish their academic goals.

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