Back to Homeschool

Many moms who choose to homeschool their own children were not homeschooled themselves. However, like myself, they may have some fond memories of back-to-school traditions that they may want to incorporate into their new way of doing things. New clothes, first day of school photos, school supplies, a cartoon character themed lunch box – these are just a few examples of how we may recall starting a new school year when we were students. How proud I recall being when it came time to pack my freshly-sharpened pencils into my new backpack and step into the classroom wearing my brand-new shoes.

Early on in my homeschooling experience I decided that it was frustrating for myself and my children when I attempted to recreate a traditional classroom in my home. Some of the best moments of homeschooling required flexibility and doing things differently. My children may not need the school-issued supply list, yet they too can gather necessary items in preparation for planned projects. Back to school time can be fun and exciting for both students and teachers. So, how do we find unique activities to celebrate special days?

I recently talked with a wide variety of fellow homeschooling moms and asked them what they did to make the first days of a new grade special and memorable. Their answers inspire me to try new ideas.

Journaling – Creative Expression

• Journaling can provide lots of opportunities to record memorable information such as the child’s height, favorite movie, goals, poems, prayers and even artwork. We buy new journals for each child every new semester. I usually only require them to date their entries and then encourage creative expression. This year, my 13-year-old son decided to dedicate his journal to himself, ten years from now. He has asked me to collect it at the end of the year and save it for a decade. What a treasure this inexpensive journal will be in days to come.

• A friend told me that she buys her daughters a new bracelet at the beginning of each year. Now they have a collection to remember each grade by. I think this is a grand idea and intend to incorporate it myself. A variation of this might be to have one bracelet that you add a charm to each year. Once again, an inexpensive treasure in the making.

• First day of school pictures are always fun. It may be that you will choose a certain pose or familiar background that you revisit each year so that comparisons can be made and changes noted.

• A special theme for the first week of school may be just the thing to encourage cheerful spirits for those students who regret the end of summer break. We have had great success with this approach. Perhaps your theme could be something like superheroes and each child comes dressed as their favorite. Last year’s math may be recalled a little more quickly to your costumed student.

• Special snacks are a great way to say, “Today is a special day.” After all, food is so often an ingredient in the memorable moments of our lives. As a matter of fact, let them help prepare and present it. Home Economics 101?

Field Trips – Something to Look Forward To

• Even when you would rather just stay home and catch up on written lessons, take a break and take a field trip. On the first day of school, have a planning meeting with your children. Present the possibilities, read a few brochures, visit web sites and choose places that are of interest and that will coordinate with studies. This is a great opportunity to encourage brainstorming and discussion, perhaps even budgeting.

• A visit to the local library during school hours is always a welcome weekly event at our house. We basically have the whole place to ourselves. For a special visit at the beginning of a new school year, why not set aside extra time to leisurely enjoy the computers or gaming systems in the data center?

• Traveling longer distances for field trips is more doable as homeschoolers. Schedules can be adjusted and peak season crowds can be avoided when you are in charge of the school calendar.

• Local publications like Birmingham Parent are great resources for community events and locations that may provide new and unique ideas for field trips.

• Many educational centers offer family memberships at significant discounts, such as McWane Science Center and the Birmingham Zoo. Two of our favorite field trips are visiting the Birmingham Museum of Art and the Botanical Gardens. Admission to both of these is free or by donation.

Establishing Routines – Knowing What to Expect

• Kids are people too and people like to know what to expect. Flexible schedules are definitely a homeschooling advantage, but this can become a disadvantage as well when plans aren’t in place. As a mom of many children, I have learned from experience to have a morning routine, a bedtime routine and naturally a homeschool routine. None of my children are surprised when I call out to them to bring their journals for our opening moments of each day.

• We took the bold step of covering one of our walls in the room where we do most of our studies, with chalkboard paint. Menus, schedules, chores, memory verses and math facts can be found there at any given moment. It’s not elaborate or complicated, but it works well for us and allows each student to practice time-management.

• One of the best routines we have is an assigned teacher’s aide for the semester. My youngest child needs extra reading practice due to dyslexia. One of my older children is available when I’m not. Not only does this help me, it benefits both of them. Everyone knows what to expect.

• Have a quitting time in place except during rare circumstances. Don’t keep going simply because there is more to do. Keep in mind that tomorrow is another day. Rest is required.

Stephanie Rodda is a Birmingham-area homeschooling mom and freelance writer. She also blogs about her favorite subjects of faith and family at Stephanie.Rodda.wordpress.com and has a devotional writings page on Facebook as well as two fictional novels that can be found on Amazon and Kindle.