Day 1 & "Classroom" Tour

Josiah's official 1st day of 5th grade was on September 2, 2015.  

In typical Josiah and Becky fashion, we started our school day "late" in the day vs. early.  We started at 11:45 am.  Now for you naysayers and Type A personalities, no worries, we will be starting a normal school schedule after Labor Day.  But for this week, I followed the advice of other home schooling moms and we've enjoyed half days to get us back into the groove of learning.

We had a super, first day together!  We both set academic and personal goals, enjoyed devotional time outside under our big maple tree, saw a hummingbird at our bird feeder, created a prayer bucket, took Max for a walk (PE), played a math game together and I taught Josiah the ins and outs of interactive notebooks (or also sometimes called lap booking or note booking).   Overall, we spent 4.5 hours learning, which included math, vocabulary, grammar and writing.  

Queue the highlight reel-- Josiah will share a bit more about our home school room and his first day highlights.  If the PLAY button doesn't work, just click here:  Josiah's Home School Room Tour. 

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Currently... (Edition 3--Summer 2012)

Practically the whole summer has gone by without a bit of blogging....sorry followers!  Shame on me! I feel so bad, BUT I've been a little pre-occupied... 

Right after my surgery, I interviewed for a teaching position at Christian Center Elementary and was offered a full time 1st grade position!  So, I (er....WE-- the whole "fam") have been busy as bees getting ready for ME to go back to school.  I'm truly just "giddy" with excitement!

Our family fell in love with Christian Center Elementary when Josiah attended school there as a Kindergartner.  However, due to a variety of circumstances we weren't able to send him there last year (for first grade).  Although Josiah loved riding the bus to and from public school each day, it was a tough year for him & us...we truly missed the school, families, friends, teachers, and culture at Christian Center!  So, when God dropped the opportunity in my lap to apply for a job at CCE...I immediately jumped on it!  In fact, I literally finished filling out my application in a hospital gown during pre-op :) 

I'm so thrilled that God has given me this opportunity!  First grade is my "sweet spot" so I'm anxious to serve and honor Him by teaching my little first graders!  I give thanks that not only has God provided the resources for me to go back to teaching, but also that He has restored my health so I can return to the classroom! (Side note:  As of yesterday, all my "labs" show that all of my blood levels are within NORMAL range.  Yep, that's right friends & family--- I'M NORMAL!!)  ha ha

Since I was offered the job, I've hardly sat idle one moment! So here's just a bit of what I/we have been doing to prepare for back to school.  

• First up, I had to renew my teaching license so I took 3 classes to accomplish that!  If you want a peek of what teachers learn and do in their classes just click on this link to view one of the assignments I submitted for my online Differentiated Learning graduate level class, in which I had to create a "before and after" unit on place value, showing the difference in differentiating instruction to meet students' varying skills and learning styles..  (Note:  The link is large and cannot be scanned for viruses).  I also attended a phenomenal conference led by Jill Eggelton, in which I became better prepared to teaching oral language, reading, writing, spelling and phonics. During my third class, I learned about a variety of  websites that help teachers extend technological learning in their classrooms.  All of the classes were so beneficial in helping me get back into the groove!

• I've sat endless hours at my computer researching activities and organizational tips to renew my mind and fill my files with FREE ideas to make me organized and learning more engaging for my students. 

• After making myself completely overwhelmed, I finally had to break out the post-it notes to brainstorm and organize my wandering thoughts.  I use this brainstorming method often (usually on a smaller scale) because it really helps me focus.  The day I "went to town" with my brainstorming...Rob commented, "I wondered how long it was going to take you to pull out the post-its!".  I brainstorm these types of list when going on vacation, house cleaning, make ahead/freezer cooking, Christmas, etc...  When I have a lot of little tasks that need done, this is the best way I find to do it.  Using post it notes makes it easy to "move" tasks into categories and then I write or type up a master list from that.  

• Trips to the teaching store to buy 50% off bulletin board supplies equalled lots of punching out for Josiah :) 

• And all my math, literacy and Bible preparations and printing equalled MEGA amounts of cutting for Rob!  Here is a look at his "office".  I'm really thankful the Olympics are on right now because that makes him more willing to sit and do all my "cutting" :)  He refers to this task as his "2nd job!" :)

• As of Monday, I was given the "green light" to move into my classroom :)  Here's what it looks like....needs a lot of TLC, organizing, and color huh?   :)  But, I thought it would be fun for you to see before and after pics, so I'll post "after" pics later in August.  I'm centering everything around an ocean/beach theme so it will be a SUNNY and BRIGHT classroom. 

BEFORE

So that's a peak into what is currently going on in our lives.....SCHOOL, SCHOOL, SCHOOL!!  I report to school on Friday, August 17th and Josiah goes back to school on Wednesday, August 22nd.  So little time, so much to do!! But I'm not doing it alone....I'm so extremely grateful for so many of my family members that have helped me with this journey--- punching out, cutting, providing ideas, building, gift certificates, and babysitting! 

Boohoo....Yahoo....Back To School Brunch

While I was recently browsing online I came across a school website advertising a back to school gathering just for moms.  They called it a "Boo Hoo! Yahoo! Party"--isn't that clever?  As a mom I dread saying goodbye to my son for 8 hours a day, but on the other hand I also look forward to the freedom of not having him tagging along as I run errands, etc... 

I knew I had to "steal" the idea and decided this would be the perfect way to reconnect with my fellow girlfriend mommies, as well.  So, I threw together some invitations, mailed them out and started planning a menu.  Today I hosted several ladies for my first "Boo Hoo! Yahoo! Party."  I definitely plan to make this an annual event!

Here's a look at the food I served and a link to print out all the yummy recipes.

The best part is that we are going to start meeting monthly to reconnect AND craft together!  I was given the distinct honor of hosting and organizing our first gathering.  :)  I'm so thrilled! 

A Collection of Back 2 School Ideas

Our summer was filled with lots of special moments and celebrations, but "summer fun" is over.  Josiah goes back to school on Monday. 

"Back to school" isn't quite what we envisioned this Fall because Josiah will be attending a public elementary school rather than Christian Center Elementary. We are very sad that circumstances in our lives are preventing us from sending him back to CCE, but we are so thankful for the time God allowed us to be there. 

Josiah will be a 1st grader this year in a classroom of 25 kids and will be riding a school bus back and forth from school everyday.  A few days ago, we were able to visit his classroom and meet his teacher.  I was very pleased and I'm excited for him! 

Rather than taking your school supplies the 1st day of school, now most schools request that you take them to "Meet the Teacher Night".  So, to help Josiah make packing his supplies a little more exciting, we sent him on a scavenger hunt for his labeled supplies.  (I got the idea from Happy Home Fairy and used most of their clues but also had to create a few of my own, as well.  You can find my extra clues here.)

Feeling proud we had his school supplies and made packing them fun, the three of us headed off to school.  However, as different students and parents came in carrying their school supplies and talking about them, I realized Josiah didn't quite have the right supplies.  I even questioned the teacher about some of the supplies I couldn't find on our list.  Guess what??? After we returned home, I realized I bought the wrong list of supplies.  I bought the Kindergarten Supply List and not the 1st Grade one.  Argh!!!

Silly me!  I guess I'm in denial that he is growing up right under my nose (he is actually almost to my nose) and we have a 1st grader :)  So, today Josiah and I are headed back out to the stores to buy the supplies we were missing.  I'm just thankful I realized my mistake before the 1st day of school when he started unpacking his supplies. 

In preparation for "Back to School" I have been collecting ideas to make it more fun and meaningful.  Here is a list of printable resources I am excited to use.  Just click on highlighted words and you will be directed to the original source where I found the idea(s). 

• 1st Day of School photo prop signs (here)
• Mom Back to School Prayer Guide
• Snack printables (apple and smart cookie)
• Back to School Subway Art
• Lunch box jokes and notes (here, here, and here)
• A Note For School (fill in the appropriate blanks about change in plans, sending lunch money, etc..)
• Get to Know Your Teacher (to learn his/her favorites so you can surprise them with gifts all year long)
• Make your own phonogram tiles to practice spelling words
• Clock printable to help practice telling time
• Game to help with coin recognition and value
• Art Supply Bucket for homework projects

Last year I was overwhelmed with all the cute papers and projects that Josiah brought home.  :)  Even though I'm sentimental and love to keep all the memories, I DISLIKE paper clutter and the "frig" only has so much space!  So, I created a little clothesline on our kitchen wall to display his papers and projects.  It worked really well!  If you have primary aged kids at home, you might want to consider using this idea too.  All you need are three inexpensive supplies to create your own:  3M Command hooks or cup hooks, hemp twine/string, and clothespins.