The first week of school is always one of the best, and this year was only made better because the Haderlies were with us. Last year they were with us because they'd just moved back from Iowa and this year I was watching them because Baby Molly was born the first day of school. (!) We might just try to make it a tradition that we always celebrate the first week of school together.
Of course, we started with our "NOT BACK TO SCHOOL" day.
donuts. swimming. friends.
one bonus day of summer before we start school.
Then jumping right to it, with "About Me" banners and a rainbow mini-unit. I got books, printed a rainbow first-day-of-school sheet, and planned a few science activities. We learned how rainbows are made, what colors/order they have, how each of us are unique and together we make up a huge rainbow. It was simple but a great way to kick off school.
The best thing, though, was that during one of those rainbow books we started talking deeper about food and colors of food and how our bodies need us to eat a variety of food/colors to grow healthy and strong. The kids got really excited and asked if they could plan a rainbow dinner.
They planned out exactly what foods they would need and what they would have to do to accomplish their project. Lydia and Camille coordinated their siblings and cousins to plan and prepare the "official first-annual" Rainbow Dinner: a six-course, color-coordinated meal put on by our resident "Kid Cafe". The kids washed, chopped, and prepared foods for each of the color groupings then served them in six courses.
It really was the best. The kids officially named it "Rainbow Day" and it's already marked on the calendar for next year. First week - a success!
