Project Based Learning When You Live in a Tiny House

Project Based Learning When You Live in a Tiny House {The Unlikely Homeschool}- a simple space saver idea
Water color paintings

Here's a simple homeschool math story problem to start your day...

If you crammed seven people into an acutely tiny house and encouraged the smallest five of those people to create and explore through a daily process of delight-directed learning, how likely are you to have project supplies covering every inch of the dining room table when it is time to eat a meal?

If you guessed "three times a day, nearly every day," you are correct!



Project Based Learning When You Live in a Tiny House {The Unlikely Homeschool}- a simple space saver idea

It's probably no surprise to learn that every available working space in a tiny house is prime real estate. 
But, as they say "necessity is the mother of invention."  

A few weeks ago, in a desperate attempt to make working conditions a bit better for this momma, The Hubs went to The Home Depot and purchased a large (4ft. x 8ft.) masonite board for $11.68.  Before leaving the store, he asked a store employee to cut the board into six equal pieces.  (In case you didn't know...cutting is a complimentary service that the store provides.) 

We purchased two large metal office-supply clips at Target and set these aside with one board to be a homemade easel for Super Boy for his bi-weekly art lesson.  He sets the board up against a wall at an angle, clips his sheet of watercolor paper to the board, and morphs into a miniature Van Gogh.

Project Based Learning When You Live in a Tiny House {The Unlikely Homeschool}- a simple space saver idea
Grecian ship made from Legos

The rest of the masonite boards were tucked behind one of the school hutches in the dining room and can be easily accessed by all the kids.  

Project Based Learning When You Live in a Tiny House {The Unlikely Homeschool}- a simple space saver idea
Impromptu game of Labrynth

Now, whenever they need to work on a project with lots of little parts and pieces, my kids know to grab one of the masonite boards.  They can spread these boards out wherever they can find space, work for a while, and then gently move the entire venture to another spot when needed.  

We no longer have to pack up our creativity every time it's time to eat lunch.  We just move the fun to the floor...or the couch...or...

In addition, with its slick white top-side, the masonite boards are easy to wash clean and can be used as inexpensive white boards for daily learning.  Expo-style markers just wipe right off!

Got any space-saving homeschool tips to share?  I'd love to hear them!

8 comments:

  1. JaedynApril 21, 2014 at 8:59 AM

    What a great idea! :) I really love the watercolor art in this post, too.

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    1. Jamie EricksonApril 21, 2014 at 7:31 PM

      Thanks. I thought they turned out great! I'm tucking them away to enter in the county fair.

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  2. AnonymousApril 21, 2014 at 2:08 PM

    We use boards like yours as well. When the kids are actively working on something, me it fits, they slide the whole board-with materials oniy- under the couch or their bed:)

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    1. Jamie EricksonApril 21, 2014 at 7:31 PM

      Brilliant! What a great way to use unusable space.

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  3. CariApril 21, 2014 at 4:49 PM

    We do the same thing with puzzles! We also use disposable aluminum baking dishes in various sizes to contain things like in process Lego sets or other projects with lots of little bits. They don't get lost or roll off the table and are easy to put away when it's time to clean up. :-)

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    1. Jamie EricksonApril 21, 2014 at 7:33 PM

      Yes! Yes! Yes! We love aluminum baking sheets for that too. As my kids have gotten older, the baking sheets seem to be getting smaller.

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  4. Lindsay BurdenDecember 23, 2014 at 8:59 PM

    Brilliant! We are a family of 5 in an itty bitty house...gonna have to invest in these!

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