PIE! Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 So what fun things are you doing to start school this year? We'll do our annual first day of school breakfast at a restaurant. We all look forward to that every year. Beyond that I'm not really sure. In the past we've done treasure hunts for school supplies, parades down the sidewalk with homemade instruments, prince and princess crafts, and other activities. I'm not sure what to do this year. It is slightly more difficult because the usual fun little-kid things we do won't be very amusing for my tween. I can picture the eye-rolls already. :001_rolleyes: :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolatechip Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 Hmm, we don't really have any. Yawning? Groaning? :leaving: :D Your traditions sound really fun though! Great idea. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ripley Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 We start our school year off with a day of field trips :thumbup:. Anyone who wanted a new outfit, would've already gotten it to wear on the first day. Usually this is only my daughter. Oh, okay, and also me LOL. Then it's to Starbucks for the annual first day of school chess tournament. We're usually there 2-3 hours. Kids are either playing chess, or conferencing with me. This is when we go over their respective schedules and expectations for the year. Next is our main field trip. It could be the zoo, a movie, the park, mini golf, bowling ... anything goes. This year our field trip is a MLB game. My home team versus my kids' home team. It'll be a good one! At some point during the day we meet up with my ex-husband, usually for lunch or ice cream. It depends on his work schedule that day. This year he's off and is coming with us to the ballgame. He jokes that he's really coming to watch the smack talk between me and our son. We are just a wee bit passionate about our baseball :lol:. Dinner that night is with my family. My parents helped homeschool when I was working. This was typically the time I went over the kids' schedules and expectations with them, too. Then the next day it's work as usual. Breakfast at home and the only field trip is the one each kid takes to the toilet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 I take the annual back to school mug shot. Each child holds a sign with their grade and the date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joyofsixreboot Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 Schulteute. Here's a bit about them if you don't know. It's a better way to get your new pencils :laugh: . We usually have Not Back to School swimming or park day when the local kids go back. My kids are always sad because they have no one to play with when the PS kids go back. A special day helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwjx2khsmj Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 We have a not our first day of school tea party on the first day of public school. On our first day we take first day of school pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Marmalade Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 The kids get brand new pajamas and before we tackle the schoolwork, I'll put on a fun song and they'll have a little dance party. But I really like the idea of going out for breakfast! I may have to think about that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heatherwith4 Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 We take pictures and we did Dunkin Donuts this year. That's all I have the energy to do. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanabug Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 No real traditions for *our* first day back to school. However, when all the p.s. kids start back, we pick up donuts and spend the morning at the park! Lana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baseball mom Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 Snapshots standing in the same place each year, shows bow much they have grown. When they were younger also took pictures of them with their books or maybe doing first page in a new book. Stopped doing that somewhere along the way. School until close to noon then go out for lunch. Most years dh has been able to go with us. Next day we start full force. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PIE! Posted August 11, 2014 Author Share Posted August 11, 2014 I forgot about taking pictures. Good thing you all reminded me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bug's Mom Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 We tend to start our school year early & gradually. We ALWAYS go downtown on the first day of public school and have pizza & ice cream. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsMommy Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 Schultüte are a fairly new (to us) and popular first day of school tradition here. We've done field trips in the past, too. One year, we went to our local library and they got their own library cards. We've also been apple picking on the first day of school. Sometimes we build a Lego Architecture set to add to our collection of landmarks. And they always get something new to wear, even if it's just a new shirt, and not a whole outfit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRG Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 A big breakfast or out for breakfast Pictures Out for ice cream after school Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRG Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 The year my oldest turned 12 I did a whole Hogwart's Letter for him. That was a lot of fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veritaserum Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 We celebrate September 1st with a Start of Term Harry Potter-themed feast. We make foods that appear in the books. It's great fun. We usually start school mid-August, however. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebrindam Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 I ordered a schultute for DD this year...but it is HUGE! Any suggestions on things to put in it? Homeschool themed is good...we have tons of art supplies! Links welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammi K Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 We're going to get up at 6:30 and head out the door for the University's ice rink....same thing we've been doing all summer l-o-n-g......... As far as actual learning/curriculum, my kids are still trying to finish up a few things from last year....shhh, don't tell anyone. Okay? :coolgleamA: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsMommy Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 I ordered a schultute for DD this year...but it is HUGE! Any suggestions on things to put in it? Homeschool themed is good...we have tons of art supplies! Links welcome! I shared this upthread, but here is the last couple for us. The first year I made them, I got them lanyards to hold their library cards. Every year since, I've gotten them a pin to add to the lanyard. I think that's their favorite part! New pencils or crayons (or both!), are also standard, as is some kind of candy. I've done tape and post-its, stickers, pens, and tiny notebooks, too. Little things like that are pretty cheap, but they fill one up nicely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 I made my own version of Schultüten for several years but skipped last year because we were in the middle of a move at the beginning of the school year. I think I'll surprise the girls by making back-to-school cones again this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeghansMom Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 A special breakfast and pictures. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaLisa Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 We usually do pictures with a cheesy back-to-school apple poster I bought 16 years ago at a school supply store. It's to see the kids added and grow, but now ::sniff:: begin to graduate out of the pictures. I write a note to each child and leave it at their place around the dining room table. I lay out special school supplies for each one. Last year, Duck Dynasty supplies were a hit as were some favorite sports themed coffee mugs. I usually meet with each child separately and we talk about the year, expectations, what their classes will look like. Each child fills out a page of goals for the year. Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FriedClams Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 One we celebrate is Not Back to School Day. When the local public schools start we take the day off, sleep in... This year we swam at a friend's, went bowling, went out to day, played racquetball.... I think is important as my kids get older for them to have cool stuff that's different from the public schools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 First day field trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kipling Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 School supply scavenger hunt. I buy supplies like binders, folders, pencils, etc. in each child's favorite color and then I put color dot stickers to identify the things everyone gets (boxes of markers, index cards, etc). We hide everything in the backyard and give the kids a list that they have to find. They have a lot of fun running around the yard putting their new supplies in their backpacks. (Which is pretty much the only time during the year that they will use their backpacks for school-related purposes). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alicai Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 We've never done anything particular for our first day, although I'm liking some of these ideas. This year I do have plans to take pictures of them sleeping in on the 1st day of ps, and I think it's a great idea to go out and have a fun day. It's important when everyone you know is doing something so different to celebrate what's great about your own experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsrevmeg Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 We usually have Chick Fil A for breakfast. I have for the past several made cupcakes and decorated them to look like brains. The boys call it "brain food". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 Oh, in addition to a field trip we will be starting a benchmark read aloud. There are certain stories I've read each of my kids when they hit certain grade levels. Not every grade has a book, but this year my youngest is hitting a much-anticipated one. I am excited, too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 New school supplies, 1st day pictures in the front yard, a fun breakfast like chocolate chip pancakes.Usually I get them a few fun things, too. I've done coffee travel mugs for hot chocolate or the nice lidded cups with straws, dvds, etc. I usually get them a pack of Pokemon cards because I'm sure to be awarded at least a small smile before school starts. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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