Odds N EndsIt’s hard to believe, but it’s almost back to school time! This year’s going to be a little different for us though because it’s the first year we don’t have back to school lists or open houses to attend because we’re homeschooling!
We technically started homeschooling last year, but that was kindergarten so it wasn’t very strenuous or stressful. We focused on math, reading, and lots of fun activities. However, in February we pulled our seventh grader out of school and stuff got real. Kindergarten didn’t intimidate me, but junior high means high school and college are just around the corner, and that’s kind of stressing me out!
We gave my son some time off and eventually started working on different subjects, but this year will be our first full year homeschooling him, and the pressure is on!
In hopes of starting the year off on the right foot, I decided to come up with a list of ways to make our first day extra special and ease us all into a great school year.
1. Decorate the school room
Celebrating our first day is actually going to start the night before in this house. I’m hoping to decorate our school room after the kids go to bed so they can wake up to a huge, exciting surprise.
2. Take first day of school pictures
I love first day pictures. It’s so much fun to see the kids with their little signs and all of the excitement that comes with a brand new year. Best of all, it’s a great keepsake to compare to their end of school pictures just nine short months from now. I could already get weepy thinking about how much they’re going to change.
3. Special Breakfast
I’m planning on treating my kids to a special breakfast on our first day, maybe homemade sausage and cinnamon apples? That’s one of their favorite meals, and I can’t resist fitting an apple in there somewhere. This is about school afterall!
4. Do a fun craft/play a game
My daughter is a future blogger/pinterest queen in the making. She loves doing crafts. If it involves markers, glue, scissors, sparkles, or ribbon she’s ready to go. A fun craft or educational game will definitely be on our first day of school agenda.
5. 1st Day Survey
Just like the first day photo, I think a survey is a must. I love seeing what the kids are into at certain times and comparing it to the end of the year. Their likes and dislikes can change so quickly, and it’s fun to have a record of their interests.
6. Special lunch
More apples perhaps? Maybe not, but putting together a special lunch (maybe with little notes or a picnic while the weather’s nice) is a fun treat that might not be possible later in the school year.
7. Family bonding activity
This may sound corny, and I’m honestly not quite sure of what I’m going to do for this yet, but I’d like to do a bonding/team building exercise on our first day. I want my kids to start off on the right foot as classmates. I want them to support one another, be encouraging, and it may not last for very long or even dawn on them what they’re doing, but I do think practicing these behaviors whenever possible is a good idea.
8. Small school-related gift
I have loved school supplies for as long as I can remember. I literally get a rush walking into an office supply store (kind of pathetic, I know). I want to surprise my kids with just a little something that they’ll love but is also useful (no toys, kids. Sorry). A cute folder or fun pencils with characters on them should do the trick.
9. Decorate folders/binder covers
Stickers, markers, whatever they want. I want my kids to take ownership of their learning to be excited to jump into their studies. I think giving them the creative freedom to make their school things their own helps that process.
10. School supply treasure hunt
This is probably my most complicated idea so far, but I think it’ll be fun. I want to create a scavenger hunt for my kids as a way of helping them find their school supplies. I’m thinking of making little cards that have age appropriate math problems or trivia that they have to answer correctly to get clues to where their items are. I don’t know for sure how it’s going to work out, but that’s my thought for now. I hope to share more in a future post!
Of course you don’t have to do all ten activities, but I hope these have given you some fun ideas on how to make the first day homeschooling extra special.
Do you have any other ideas of traditions you like to do to start the school year in a special way?
If you liked this, be sure to check out my other homeschooling posts. Happy back to school time!
Awesome explanation!!! If your homeschooling starts in an organized way, then that gives really fruitful results. This is really great. You have shared good steps to start homeschooling. This is a good start!!!
Thanks! I’m excited (and a little nervous) to get started.
I love the idea of a school supply scavenger hunt. My kids, even my teen, would love it! We always start out our first day of school at our local donut shop too. Fun tradition we all love.
What a fun way to start the year! Do your kids have any favorite, go-to donuts or do they try new things every time? I’m a glazed donut girl, but honestly I don’t think I’ve ever really met a donut I didn’t like! lol
Great ideas for making that first day special!
I love taking first day pics. We did a survey this year, too and went out for ice cream after our school day.
Thanks, Christina! That sounds like a great first day!
Love the ideas! Thank you for posting!
Loved your 10, we’ve been homeschooling for 10yrs and I try to make the 1st day fun also:) I buy my guys New hs t-shirts and take them on a field trip the first day. It is always great to see how the years past tees have faded and look at photos from past field trips.
I love that idea, Melissa! We’ve been doing family jammies at Christmas time for years, and I love the same thing, seeing everyone match and the pjs get used over time. I may have to borrow your t-shirt idea this year. My kids would love it! Thanks so much for the idea 🙂
Thank you for joining us at Thoughts of Home.
These are wonderful first day suggestions.
Laura
White Spray Paint
These are all wonderful ways to make your first day of homeschooling for the new year memorable. I’ve had my kids draw something last year and they truly enjoyed it.
Thank you so much for sharing this with us on the #HomeMattersParty. I hope to see you again next Friday at 12 AM EST.
What kind of family bonding activity did you do? I like that idea, but I can’t think of anything besides trust falls, which for sure won’t happen with my 5 and 3 year olds ????
lol yes, trust falls may end up having the opposite effect if I know my kids. We ended up just saying a few nice things about one another and what we enjoy doing together. Super easy activity to do (no prep or supplies required!), and everyone seemed to really get a nice little confidence boost.
I love these ideas. I usually do similar activities on our first day. I need to plan a fun lunch – we start school next week!
Yay for the new school year! I hope you have a wonderful year.
Great suggestions for a wonderful first day of homeschooling. I use about half of the list, but will be adding a few more, thanks to your article. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for reading! I hope you have a wonderful first day and year! 🙂
Love your ideas and no, I don’t agree with it being “pathetic” (# 8). I confess I always loved back to school shopping more than any other kind, except Christmas. I’ve never done anything that cool, except for the pics. I’m sure my two fifth graders (in the fall) will love these. Thanks for sharing.
Oh good! I’m glad I’m not the only one. 🙂
Thank you for this!I’m divorced, back in school. I’ve been so busy trying to figure out a way to create a school setting that isnt too immature for my middle schooler nor too mature for my younger kids & forgot about the special things I do to make the first day of school special for them. Thanks for the reminder❤
You’re very welcome! I hope you have a wonderful school year! 🙂