Back to School time is here and with it comes mountains of papers from your kids. From worksheets to artwork it can get a little overwhelming. I consider myself to be a pretty organized person but when my daughter brings home a backpack full of papers, I find myself giving up. I keep way too much stuff and knew I had to pare it down so I made a School Memory Box to keep only the very special and important items from each school year.
Here’s how to make your own School Memory Box:
I found this box at Michael’s in the photo frame section.
I like that it is 12×12 because it can hold the bigger papers as well as the standard size. I also like the fact that it is shallow so it won’t take up too much room on a shelf. And it has a space for a label on the front.
I decorated the box by cutting strips of school themed scrapbook paper and adhering them to the box with Mod Podge.
If you have never used Mod Podge, it is a wonderful crafting supply. Using a sponge brush, I spread a thin layer of Mod Podge on the back of each strip of paper and then pressed them down on the box.
After all were in place, I brushed a thin coat of Mod Podge over the entire top of the box to seal it. Don’t worry. It dries clear.
Since this box will be stacked in a closet, I did not want the paper being torn which is why I opted to seal it with Mod Podge I used scrapbooking stickers to spell out the word “kindergarten”. I placed these on top of the Mod Podge after it dried.
Now a bit on my organization/purging strategy. I keep most papers/artwork that my daughter brings home in a big plastic bin. I go through the bin a few times a year and get rid of a lot of stuff. Then, at the end of the year, I do another big purge and keep only the very special items, awards etc. I keep her report cards, school pictures and some writing samples as well. I find that this size box works well and keeps storage manageable. The papers shown in the photo below all fit in the box. I’m very excited to start one for my son who is entering preschool this year.
What are some ways that you organize school work?
Alison says
Fantastic idea for keeping the most important stuff each school year!! Thanks so much!