1st Day of School (August 2013)

School started early this year for our daughter who transferred to a new school that operates on a modified year-round schedule.  We were all a little nervous since this new school is so much more structured than her previous school.  The new school has a strict uniform policy and formal positions and postures required within the classroom when working, listening, speaking, etc.  The rules are very precise regarding manners and behavior with swift discipline administered as needed.  They offer grace to new students as they adjust but after that initial grace period, students are expected to follow all the rules. As one teacher put it, "We extend more grace than mercy here."  I was scared for her as I considered her exuberant energy level and unbridled imagination.  Her previous school, which she absolutely LOVED, was much more laid back and would even let her stand on her head while taking a test if she preferred.

Saying goodbye on the last day of school at her former school

There is a place for catering to unique learning styles, but there is also a time to learn self discipline and structure.  The real world certainly doesn't cater to learning styles or unique bents, so I think this training will be good for her in the long run if it doesn't suppress her love of learning.

Aside: 

Our kids' love of learning flourished so much at their previous school, which had a no homework policy, that as soon as they got home on the last day of school, the started working through the math workbooks their teachers let them have after our kids begged to take them home so they could do math all summer long!

Doing math problems at home after the last day of school!

I could see the nervousness on her face when we arrived for orientation.

 After meeting the teacher and seeing her new classroom, she mustered up a small smile.

We were both nervous the next day when school actually began.  Thankfully, a friend had taken me on a dry run through carpool a few weeks earlier because drop-off and pick-up at this school are much more complicated than at the previous school (which was less than 1/8 this school's size).  It was a rainy, dreary day, but we made it into the right carpool line the first time around (Gift #358), and she had a fabulous first day (Gift #359)!  She loves her teacher who has an endearing sense of humor (Gift #360), and our daughter seems to be adjusting to the new structure miraculously well (#361).  All the teachers have been so wonderfully supportive, and our girl is making many new friends (#362). The kinder-buddy program is great outlet for our voracious reader's energy and creativity.  She loves spending time with her designated kindergartener every week as she reads books to her and discusses the book or life in general with her little friend who our daughter claims is just as independent and strong-willed as she is. (#363)

Since the dress code is so strict, from the clips in her hair to the socks and shoes on her feet, her only opportunity for self expression is her backpack.  So while it may clash with her uniform, it matches her new bedroom decor in our new house (which still doesn't even have any footings yet) perfectly.

The school did not have any openings in 2nd grade, so our son started homeschooling with me again on Monday.  When he started attending school last year, he cried a bucket of tears at drop-off only to fuss at me for not sending him sooner by the time I picked him up.  He loved that school, so I feared he would be upset about having to be homeschooled again this year.  Yet, his attitude has been amazing ever since we realized he would have to be educated at home.

However, when his sister told him how much she loved the new school, he then realized it is not as scary as it seemed during our interviews and screenings.  He went from hoping he would not ever have to go to that school to praying another 2nd grader would move so he could have his or her spot.

We started homeschooling on Monday after he finished an awesome week of science camp.  This year's topic was genetics, and I loved watching his eyes light up as he explained all that he had learned to me.  He and I both learned lots of new ways that he takes after me, even though everyone says he is his father's mini-me. 

On our first day back to home schooling, we sat down at the table together and began with Bible study and prayer. As I read the beautiful words of John 1 with him, he burst into tears and ran into his room. I guess that's when it finally really hit him that his sister was going to school while he had to stay at home.  After that episode and a few other brief cries, schooling has gone well, and I'm enjoying it more now than ever before.  I'm sure my excitement over home schooling again will wear off as our schedules get busier, but I feel blessed to have such a sweet, loving, studious, little pupil and for the privilege to be home with him. (Gift #364)

In the last house, I had a large bonus room dedicated to homeschooling with  school desks, tables, computer desks, file cabinets, and closets and shelves filled with supplies.  I had two different computers available for typing, spelling, research papers, and other subjects necessitating a computer.  Here, all I have is a small corner in the breakfast room with a few rolling carts of supplies, a kitchen table with 4 chairs, a laptop and a printer.  And I did not even have internet access for the first 3.5 weeks we were here.  I have found that schooling goes more quickly in such a small space and with less stuff to manage.  It's working out much better than I anticipated.  (Gift #365) One week down...who knows how many more to go!