The Homeschool Village: Back to Homeschooling

Summer is quickly coming to an end.  Soon it will be time to pack away the swim suits, goggles, and flippers and to pull out the pencils, maps, and flash cards!  The boys still have a couple of weeks of summer including a joint birthday party, a week of LEGO Camp, and a camping trip with Grandma before we begin, but I’m already cracking the books for a bit of planning.

Over the years, we’ve found a variety of ways to welcome the new school year.  Some years, we’ve eased ourselves back into the school day with a first day of school field trip, while others we’ve jumped right in and started with our work.  

This year, we’re planning to begin our first day of school with a special power-packed breakfast, something gluten- and dairy-free, of course, before moving on to our studies.  We’re trying out some new curriculum in our new school room this year and both the boys and I are anxious to get started!  

To add a little bit of surprise to the start of our school year this year, I’m making Schultüte (a German school cone) for the boys.  A Schultüte is traditionally given to a German child on his first day of first grade to help ease him into his first real day of school.  It is filled with school supplies, toys, and treats.  This will be the start of Connor’s first grade year and Ryan’s fourth grade year.  We’re going to break with tradition just a bit and present both of the boys with Schultüte.  It should make for a nice surprise on that first morning.

Back to Homeschooling:  Three weeks and counting!

What traditions do you have for the first day of your homeschool year?  Hop on over to The Homeschool Village to share your traditions and maybe find a new one!