Hi there- This is our first year homeschooling and plan on starting mid next week. Besides making the day lighter I am trying to figure out a fun first day art project to do; they both have attended public school and have special projects from that first day, so just wondering what we can do to the same. They are 6 and 8, thanks!
can you make name place mats or something similar? I do not know what your schooling area looks like but if you have a wall you can do a name plate for , you can do it on construction paper and laminate it or not.. do it in back to school colors.. have an open house? Have a special thing like let them help you bake cookies or make microwave smores, something they could not do in a big class room! Have pizza for lunch? Our first day is handing out the new books and supplies, discussing the years rules and then we dash it all and go to the movies. EVERY YEAR but one, we have done this. LAst year ds and I did not go , dd and ds went to another one a week or so later. I only have ds now so we will have to figure what we are doing on our first day... it has to be special!
We have always done first day of school pictures. They write on a white board "First day in x grade" and get their pictures taken with it. Last year I started something that was a hit. I wrapped up all their new school items in wrapping paper and they opened their new books and supplies as presents. They will each have a special item/items that are more "presenty." My younger two are getting art supplies that they will love. My oldest is getting a book he has been wanting that we aren't directly using for school. We then do any school subjects that they want to do and play games.
Have them make their own hand prints and foot prints (print the date on the back!)- these are great fun to look at in a couple of years! First day of school pictures. Make an "All about Me" book- favorite food, color, game, etc. Have them write out their address, phone number, parents' names on one page. Have them tell you what to write (the 8 yr old can do simple sentences) about what they are excited about or want to learn for the school year. Have them pick a place to have a field trip and draw a picture (zoo, bakery, fire dept, farm, etc). Use these ideas soon to have an actual field trip. Not a craft idea- but go outside and blow bubbles or draw on the sidewalk. Go for a walk and be thankful that they are not sitting in a school room with 20 other kids, but on a walk with their family. Make something fun for lunch, or a special treat for after dinner. Enjoy! MT3
