Our First Day Of School

September the 8th was our first day of school. I know we started a wee bit late, but that's ok. We have plenty of time to make up for it. We don't have snow days, or teacher work days, and half days, etc. :)

The first day of school this year was kinda specialm because Grandma, from out of state was visiting with us. So Grandma also got to get in on the fun.

Our day started out early. I went to my first MOPS meeting for the semester. I dressed Sweetie and Bean in new hot pink dresses.

Then we took pictures. I have each child hold up a sign showing what year of school they are in

Then it was off to MOPS.

We came home, and had a nice lunch deli chicken sandwiches. I put Tiny Boy down for his nap and we began our school work.

I am using "My Father's World" Curriculum. It is based on the methods of Charlotte Mason. Thus the title of this blog, "The Gentle Art of Learning". That is a phrase that Miss Mason coined.

In "My Father's World" there is an introduction; a foundation to the whole program. For the first two weeks of school we focus on the Creation.

In these two weeks Sweetie completed a chart depicting the seven days of creation. She also illustrated a Creation book, which I have plans on binding it together later.

The first day with the academic department (The Three R's) we just reviewed the basics. ABC's, 123's, and read a few stories. I also had to focus on teaching Sweetie how to narrate. That was bit of a challenge. She was trying to memorize word for word the literature selection, rather than telling me in her own words what happened in the story. I think she is beginning to grasp the concept now though.

Narration, in case one is unfamiliar with the concept, is a term that Charlotte Mason used to "re-tell" the story in your own words. So, I read Sweetie a portion of literature and she is to tell me in her own words what she just listened to. This develops reading comprehension, and also challenges her to be creative by using her own words, rather than the usual question and answer approach.

As she get's older, she must try to recall the important details. For now, as she is learning this concept I am happy with anything she tells me. :)

Ok, back to our first day. :)

After our academic portion, The girls went to their rooms for "quiet rest time". I have always done this in the afternoon. It gives me a break, and I can rest myself. ;-)

During quiet Rest time, I set a tea party up, using real tea cups, and a tea pot. I set the table in a "back to school" theme. Using Fruit for a center piece. I also tried to make place cards that looked like little slates.

Before school began I went shopping for "special" school supplies. Things like pencils with designs on them, fancy shaped erasers, pretty notepads, mini staplers, etc. I put them in a gift bag and put them on the table.

When the children awoke from their naps, they had a beautiful tea party to attend. I served them sugar cookies and peppermint tea. Bean and Sweetie did not care too much for the tea, but Tiny Boy enjoyed it thoroughly. ;-)

After the tea party they went outside to play on their swing set while I finished dinner preparations.

After they came in, and Daddy got home we had Tacos and Brownies for Supper. A menu that Sweetie chose herself.

I wanted to make the 1st day of school a special and memorable one for Sweetie as well as Bean. Bean is "listening in" on Sweetie's lessons while she works on her Rod and Staff Preschool books.

Tiny Boy just hangs out and does what he likes. Usually, he tries to get in on the action. Especially when we sing. He likes that. :)

So there you have it. Our first day of school. :) Hopefully, I will be posting once a week on this blog depicting our schooling events of the past week.

Have a great day! :)