Monday, August 17, 2009

Back to (home) school

DoSomething.org And Staples Host The Do Something 101 School Supply Drive

Today I thought it would be fun if we could all discuss our back to school traditions.

I'm going to include a Mr. Linky at the bottom of my post. All you have to do is blog about your back to school traditions (any day this week, actually as I will have at least one more post about this), then come back and link up. We'll all come visit you and read about what you do. Also, let's remember to leave lots and lots of comments!

I have quite a few traditions surrounding back to school. Little old me?

First, I want to say that we school year round, but we take as much time off as needed. We usually take every Friday off for garage sales and most of Decemeber off for Christmas. Then whenever we feel like a field trip or need a week here or there (because mom is losing her mind, not that that happens to me), we take it. So even though we don't actually take off for summer, we still do our traditions because everyone starts a new grade.

The first thing we do is have a back to school night. Yes, just like the public schools. (Only different.) I mentioned my sister in law the other day. I'm so fortunate that she homeschools her three kids as well. It makes back to school night really fun.

We meet at the grandparents house. Each child works on something to present to all the grandparents, that they've learned during the school year. We've had piano playing, a history song, reading a book (from when they first learned to read), reading a book that they wrote. Then we ask them questions concerning things they've learned. They are in the spot light for about ten minutes...and they LOVE it.

Each child gets to have their time. Some kids are really shy and don't say much, others (not mine of course) won't stop talking and you have to practically drag them off the "stage".

Then we look at each child's work from the previous year. I have my children save one or two papers a week and put it in their folder for open house. If they have new curriculum that they want to show off, they often bring it. They might have also done a really nice project that they want to bring. There really aren't any rules.

We eat. Then the grandparents usually have some school supplies for the kids.

I really enjoy back to school night.

I have more traditions and will post them tomorrow.

If you don't want to blog about yours, just tell us about them in the comments. And please, this is open for public schoolers too. Very much so!

(Also, I don't know why Mr Linky won't work right, but if you will click on it it will open in a new window.)


11 comments:

thatgirlblogs said...

timely post... I am trying to memorize everyone's new schedules!

The Royal Family said...

I am not very helpful since my kids are not school age. I remember when I was little we would go get ice cream the first night of school. :) and the last.

I don't know what i'm going to do with my kids yet...

The Thompsons said...

Hectic time for sure!

Unknown said...

No kids yet...but one of my favorite back to school traditions growing up was the "first day of school picture" in our favorite new outfits. My brother hated school and I loved it...so I was always super happy and excited in the pictures and my brother was either crying (younger years) or just plain grumpy!

I love your idea for the back to school party! How fun.

Emily said...

I love this tradition! Growing up, our homeschool group finished each year with an awards night, where each parent presented their child with a certificate for the most improved subject, and for a character trait in which their child had displayed significant growth during the year. We all loved it, and usually around 30 families participated. My daughter begins 2nd grade Wendesday--our first year in a public school. I'll blog about traditions then and link back.

tammy said...

Love the post! In fact, today is our first day back to school for the 2009-2010 year. We also homeschool more or less year round...I like my Decembers off. ;) I didn't post about any traditions...although the breakfast we had today will probably become a new tradition. Check it out...
http://momofjstk.blogspot.com/

Love your back to school night!! LOVE IT!! If I do a post about traditions I'll come back and visit mr. linky! :)

Stephanie Faris said...

I'm such an idiot!!! I did a group blog last Thursday and manually added the links. I didn't realize Mr. Linky would do it for me!

I've never homeschooled...I'm not even a mom (just a possible future stepmom) but the entire topic has always fascinated me, which is why I would love to come back! SITS sent me this time.

Anonymous said...

We don't do the new clothes thing, we just don't have the money to buy all 3 kids new clothes each year. We buy what they need throughout the year. The biggest thing for us this year is buying lunch boxes as they are going to a private school this year and this school does not have hot lunch. And, this year, most of their supplies are for their individual use not for sharing in the classroom like at their public school. My tradition in buying the school supplies is scanning the ads finding where I can find the supplies for the least amount of money.

Milburns' said...

i AM loving THIS post and BAck to Homeschool II!!!! We have always just done whatever and have no events or anything to look forward too... so I am changing it ALL up this year!!! And you all have inspired me! Thanks Michelle for starting all of this!

Twisted Cinderella said...

I am so glad to be able to join this post!

I posted about my first day of homeschooling ever!

http://tc-twistedfairytale.blogspot.com/2009/08/first-day-of-homeschool.html

tori said...

hello not sure I did the Mr. Linky thingie right so I will put my link here too! :) Happy back to school!
http://imnotinkalamazooanymore.blogspot.com/