When I was teaching in San Jose, I learned to always make the first day of school memorable and to use that day (and that entire week) to introduce my students to their classroom, their curriculum, and their teacher. We had special snacks, school pictures, and fun crafts. I applied those same principals to our homeschool. There are unlimited ways to celebrate this day. These are my favorites that are very simple and fun.
- 1. Plan a yummy breakfast casserole - preparing this the night before helped make my morning a little more easier. This most recent year, I did not prepare a yummy breakfast ahead of time but instead added an extra handful of my kids favorite berries to oatmeal - they were still thoroughly happy.
Healthy Blueberry Baked Oatmeal (Gluten-free)
Homemade and easy to make, this Healthy Blueberry Baked Oatmeal makes for a delicious breakfast and is perfect for your weekend meal prep.
Stacie Hassing
Something like this!
- 2. Decorate your school area - the night before, I hung our memory board, visual rhythm cards, and colorful flag banner.
TIP: Put velcro on your visual schedule cards to move around more easily. I tacked the opposite side of the velcro as a strip onto the wall (to save our paint from pulling off).
- 3. Set out a nice outfit/dress - my girls love wearing pretty dresses, so I let them choose their favorite for the first day of school. I joined them as well - even wore some earrings and put on make up!
- 4. Gather and organize supplies - IF your supplies arrive on time, lay some out for your child to explore. Show them how/where to access any supplies you want them grab themselves. Don't forget to organize your own supplies. 😉
- 5. About Me - Print an "About Me" page to document this day. My two favorites are below.
All About Me Printable for Kids
All about me printable for kids. This free printable is a great way to get to know your class during an all about me theme.
Michelle
My oldest enjoyed decorating this page and coloring the "doll" to look like her.
- 6. Decorate a chalkboard for pictures - Finding inspiration online, I used chalk pens to create these signs. I will continue to reuse these and just change the dates and class level - unless I am struck by a creative bug and change the whole thing. 😄
TIP: Think through where and when you want to take their photo. I chose outside in front of our door but no later than 9:30am because by then the sun casts terrible shadows on the door.
CAUTION: Please be careful with how much information you are displaying on your child's chalkboard/paper when sharing on social media - information such as grade, teachers name and school. A simple google search can advise you why it's important to be careful.
- 7. Try to follow your desired rhythm - I planned a "typical daily rhythm" and did a "mock-run" on the first day, using bits of the curriculum here and there, feeling out the flow of everything.
- 8. Read a homeschool "Back to School" book - We enjoyed reading this sweet book on the first day.
BONUS: Take a "tour" around the house, snapping pictures of your child, commemorating sweet basic information like: their house, siblings, parents, their bed and favorite lovies, favorite chore, favorite toy... etc. Then place in a scrap book and enjoy looking back for years to come. I still have the ones my mom created for me and they are super sweet to look back on.
I hope you have a wonderful first day of school!
