How does a homeschooler make the first day of school special? That’s what I wondered to myself a few weeks ago when I realized our break in-between school years would be short.
Kids going to brick & mortar schools have the excitement of a total change of pace and scenery, new friends and teacher, maybe new clothes, backpack, or lunchbox. Homeschoolers are like, “Hey, do you wanna see your shiny new phonics workbook??” (Caleb is so funny. “Ooh, Mommy, it’s so beautiful!” haha!)
I wanted to do something beyond admiring the year’s new workbook or…just starting. So this year we did three things to make our first day back to school special.
1. Start with a nice family breakfast. Ours was muffins, hard-boiled eggs, and juice.
2. Open some gifts. It seemed anti-climactic to just pull out new supplies as needed throughout the school year. We made an event out of opening school supplies or educational toys–puzzles, fun jumbo bendy pencils, a mini globe, modeling clay, and swimming creatures for our science studies–all wrapped. Even the toddlers got something!
3. Take a “line-up” picture to remember! The toddlers’ papers spell out “CUTE,” and Carson’s inability to hold his paper still and straight defined that word.
I’m still looking for ideas to make this new tradition even greater. What do you do to make your first homeschool day special?
Ita Vita 
What a great idea. My wife homeschooled our first until the second was ready for K5. We had the good fortune of having a Christian school on our church campus.
I’d LOVE to be sitting at that table. And I notice that papa’s plate is heaped with victuals. Because he’s bigger, of course!
Haha, Papa’s plate is heaped with eggshells! It wasn’t the greatest breakfast, I thought, because we had to peel most of the kids’ eggs! 🙂
It looks like they had fun and so it sounds like a great tradition to me! Also jealous of your short sleeves.
Thanks! (I think) I’m jealous of your long sleeves. 🙂
Well, I won’t complain, but this has been our long winter. Probably 6 more inches last night. And cold. Really cold. Good thing I like to stay in my house. The missionaries were supposed to go down to Shedd’s Aquarium today, and that got canceled with the snow.
We always do the first day of school presents too! Ours aren’t usually as awesome as yours though. Pencils and binders are about it around here.
Looks like a fun day! I try to start off the year with something fun, like a field trip of sorts. We will have a special breakfast, then go somewhere fun, and then come back after lunch to do a little “school work.”
Pingback: Going Away and Getting Going | Ita Vita