When Can I Ride the School Bus?: The First Day of School for Homeschoolers

Last year my daughter witnessed the Back to School sales, heard about friends going to "real" school, and watched educational programming speak about the bricks and mortar place. As she observed the right of passage of those around here, both in real life and in that electronic box, she inquired "Mom, when can I ride the school bus?" For us the answer is simple due to our proximity and no busses until high school. For other homeschooling parents, that very question can make them doubt their choice to educate their children at home. How do you handle the first day of school-especially for the younger kids?

Well for starters-you can do what our homeschooling group is doing this year. On the first day of school for the county, our group is staying in their pajamas and convening at a local venue for a "Not Back to School Breakfast". We will have a yummy breakfast while their peers in public and parochial schools are sitting in their first or second class of the day. The students in our group will be bringing their reading lists from the summer to exchange for ice cream coupons. These will be redeemed the following week at the Book Ball where we will dress up like storybook characters and the kids can enjoy all the ice cream and toppings they earned courtesy of a locally owned Marble Slab Creamery.

So what can you do if you don't belong to a homeschool group or co-op? You can make it a family affair. For most homeschoolers, educating at home offers flexibility. Depending on the laws of your state, you can pretty much set your school year as you wish. The first day of bricks and mortar school need not be the first day of your home school. In other words-summer does not have to end!

Things to do on your "Not-back-to-School" First Day:

Hit a local amusement park: For us we could spend the day at Disney or Sea World or hit any number of water parks for a fun day that is not about books. On the way over, we could pop in a book on tape (English), count to 100 (Math), or discuss the trees we pass along the way (Science). Of course there is always games of I Spy or state license plates (Geography). For those with DVD players, you could even pop in an education DVD to pass the time en route for some fun.

Hit the zoo: This is more educational, but my kids love the zoo. Our zoo has a train and even an kayaking adventure. Now how may bricks and mortar students are going on a field trip on their first day?

Hit the beach (or the lake!): There is nothing like a leisurely day watching the water-be it those fantastic waves or skipping stones along the water.

Have lunch and a movie: Not necessarily educational, but this activity is a lot of fun if your family likes to go to the movies and provided there is something out that is appropriate for the family.

Things to do on your "Back to School" First Day:

So what do you do if you want to actually conduct school on that first day? Well, if you are more of a traditionalist there is something you can do. You can prepare a special "First Day of School" Breakfast together with your homeschooler. Before it is time to prepare the days lessons, have your homeschooler get dressed, put on their backpack if they have one and then smile for a "First Day of School" picture. Go out to lunch instead of preparing lunch today!

The most difficult part of homeschooling little ones is their concern that they are missing out on something very special by staying at home. As homeschooling parents, it is our job to make it so that they know they'd be missing out on something special by leaving home to go to school. You can even make your "Not Back to School" First Day an annual tradition.