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ritual to mark beginning of school  

post #1 of 21
8/9/07 at 11:42pm
Thread Starter 
Hi,
I am using Enki Kindy with my daughters who are 5. We're big on rituals in our family and try to meaningfully mark momentous events. Honestly our days won't be a lot different than they have been for the past few months, so kindergarten won't feel a whole lot different that just regular life for them. But I am wondering about marking this kindergarten thing somehow. Any ideas?
Thanks,
post #2 of 21
8/9/07 at 11:47pm
Are you a member of a homeschool group? My local group is having a "back to no school picnic"
post #3 of 21
8/10/07 at 12:26am
I did a very excited "first day of homeschool" deal... took pictures of my oldest, had a fun project that required lots of glue, made a special lunch, and just made a big deal out of it all.
post #4 of 21
8/10/07 at 1:12am
last year..we did enki k as well and took "school" pic's by our classroom door and had baked special muffin cupcakes and read a special story. this year i will do the same thing as well as give each child a rose (a waldorf thing) and give a little speech and story with a beeswax candle lit....i am debating on getting a birthday ring or advent spiral and use it for celebrating this day....i'm still brainstorming....
post #5 of 21
8/10/07 at 1:46am
I plan on making Schultueten as is custom in Germany. http://www.germanplaza.com/productca...idCategory=100

They are usually filled with candy, small toys, and school supplies.


I've been looking for some cardboard/posterboard with a nice design. If you see anything let me know.
post #6 of 21
8/10/07 at 3:55am
An old Waldorf tradition that we are doing this year is a morning picnic by a river or stream. You make simple paper boats together and formally launch one for each child with a little speech. Here's one for my 8th grader:

"April is venturing on a journey past the bay of Geometry to the mysterious land of Algebra. She'll meet the great Renaissance thinkers and hopefully get some help for her Physics experiments. Then she'll journey to mystical lands unknown, keeping a journal of her discoveries (book reports) and maybe learn to fly home during her short stop at Hogwarts."

A K child might visit fairy lands from stories you will be telling, and the Garden of Discovery or something?

Then eat a yummy breakfast and play for a while. School starts the next day.
post #7 of 21
8/10/07 at 11:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kleine Hexe View Post
I plan on making Schultueten as is custom in Germany. http://www.germanplaza.com/productca...idCategory=100

They are usually filled with candy, small toys, and school supplies.


I've been looking for some cardboard/posterboard with a nice design. If you see anything let me know.
That is what I am making! First day is technically monday, but skills have been worked on all summer. We're also planning a small party for the rest of the kids in the neighborhood - water balloons, homemade pizza, High School Musical on in the background...
post #8 of 21
8/10/07 at 1:55pm
Thread Starter 

thanks!

Thank you, everyone. These are all great ideas. I appreciate you all sharing with me.
post #9 of 21
8/10/07 at 2:08pm
My ds is a bit older, but we are going out to dinner, just the two of us, and talking about his cirriculum and what he wants to do this year. We hardly ever get out just the two of us, so it's a big deal.
post #10 of 21
8/10/07 at 4:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LilyGrace View Post
That is what I am making! First day is technically monday, but skills have been worked on all summer. We're also planning a small party for the rest of the kids in the neighborhood - water balloons, homemade pizza, High School Musical on in the background...
Oh, a party sounds fun! What are you using to make it? Poster board?
post #11 of 21
8/10/07 at 4:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kleine Hexe View Post
Oh, a party sounds fun! What are you using to make it? Poster board?
Yep - florescent green with stamps and stickers all over it. It's being filled with some school supplies he really wanted, a few games, few sweets...

All of the other kids around here are ps'd (we live directly across from a school) and the hs'd kids we met - well, I don't fit in with their parents. So a party is a way to ease the break of summer/going back to school that's going to seperate these kids that have been playing together. (That, and an open invitation to continue to do science with us after 3. : We get into the messy science and it's more fun with a few more running around )
post #12 of 21
8/10/07 at 5:19pm
I have planned a picnic, giving dd her new school supplies to open, organizing the "homeschool" room, taking a picture and dd wants to do a puppet show.
post #13 of 21
8/10/07 at 6:45pm
Quote:
I plan on making Schultueten as is custom in Germany. http://www.germanplaza.com/productca...idCategory=100

They are usually filled with candy, small toys, and school supplies.


I've been looking for some cardboard/posterboard with a nice design. If you see anything let me know.
We're doing these, too. I got the idea here:
http://www.magiccabin.com/magiccabin/product.do?section_id=0&bc=1004&pgc=1766&sv=333537 &cmvalue=MCD|0|FEATURED%20COLLECTIONS|333537|33353 7-P1
post #14 of 21
8/13/07 at 5:26pm
This is great! Thanks for sharing your ideas, I'd love to hear more. Are any of you getting together with homeschooling families to kick of the new school year? Is there any kind of ceremony for the children entering a new grade level?

Thanks!

Jessica
post #15 of 21
8/13/07 at 7:03pm
Our homeschool group also has a kickoff day - nothing formal, just gathering to play and eat, and it also serves as a way for people interesting in hs'ing to come and meet us and ask questions. I have choosen that day to mark the beginning of our year (it's the friday before labor day, so our first 'school day' will be the tuesday after labor day).

My middle child is in preschool and just got a letter from his teacher, and my DH noticed a 'I don't get that ' look on 7 y.o DS's (who is hs'ed) face. So, I'm working on a letter to him, and we may have a 'meet the teacher night' when just he and I go out to dinner together to talk about the upcoming year.
post #16 of 21
8/13/07 at 7:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kleine Hexe View Post
I plan on making Schultueten as is custom in Germany. http://www.germanplaza.com/productca...idCategory=100

They are usually filled with candy, small toys, and school supplies.


I've been looking for some cardboard/posterboard with a nice design. If you see anything let me know.
I was going to suggest one of those as well. I have made them before and you can use cardstock and rubber stamps if you have those.

I borrowed a stamp set from a friend one year with books. That was cute.
post #17 of 21
8/13/07 at 7:12pm
We are starting a new Enki inspired homeschool co-op in september, and on that day each child will do fabric painting with leaves on napkins that they will use each week for snack. Parents will print prayer flags with their wishes for their children for the year. I love the paper boat idea and may add that in since we meet near a creek.

At home, a special story, some new clothes and shoes and hs supplies, beginning a big woodwork project (probably the gnome house) and a celebration feast with daddy in the evening.
post #18 of 21
8/13/07 at 7:54pm
We always have a not back to school beach day - the beach is deserted because everyone else is in school We also celebrate with a trip to the book store for a couple of new books for each kiddo.
post #19 of 21
8/13/07 at 11:09pm
One of the homeschool groups we belong to is having a "Not Back To School" Picnic the first Friday after school starts here.

Kathi
post #20 of 21
8/14/07 at 1:18am
: These are some neat ideas. Taking notes for later.
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