Ellingson Family: Working' It Wednesdays: Back to School

Today I'm joining Shay and Erika for Working' it Wednesdays! We're going to show you how we're getting geared up for back to school.

I love the fresh start the beginning of the school year brings! I'm feeling reenergized, inspired and excited for all that this year has in store for my family. I'm looking forward to the intentional time together growing, discovering, bonding, learning, creating, and playing that doing school at home allows. Clara (age six) is a first grader this year. David is four and we will be taking more of a play school approach with him. And sweet baby Emma is one.

Clara and I had a little back to school shopping date on Monday evening and got the items from her supply list that we didn't already have on hand. Love one-on-one time with my sweet girl!

Here's a peak into some of what we'll be spending our time on this school year...

Last school year Clara completed the kindergarten curriculum for My Father's World, and overall we really liked it. We are going to continue with My Father's World this year for first grade as well. Clara is so excited to start! It was like Christmas as Clara and Davey checked out all of Clara's new curriculum.

We are also going to make our way through some Logic of English Foundations curriculum. I think this is really going to help Clara. So far all things math have come really easy for her, but reading has been more challenging. (I'm so not worried about it though. She'll get there and when she does I won't be surprised if she turns into a little bookworm knowing her.)

We got Clara a LeapReader pen and books a few months ago and both her and Davey LOVE it! It will read the whole page to them, read one word at a time, or help them sound out each word. There are also tons of activities and games. And that bottom book has pages for practicing handwriting, too. I'd definitely recommend these and have a feeling our collection of LeapReader books will grow with time!

This is a fun book of science experiments and activities that we will pull out from time to time.

I am also planning to incorporate some Spanish vocabulary this year as well. I don't have any curriculum for this and will probably just end up using free resources online and checking out English/Spanish children's books from the library.

Saturday I was fortunate enough to spend the whole day participating in the Defender of Play Boot Camp. It was led by Denita Dinger and Beth Wolff, two early childhood professionals who emphasize the importance of play. I have friends whose kids attend Denita's local play school and summer camp and had heard wonderful things about her. I was super excited to glean some wisdom from her and incorporate some of her methods at home. The emphasis of the boot camp was on the incredible value of child led play and play based learning, and I definitely had a few *mind blown* moments that shifted my thoughts about play in a profound way. Since Saturday I have been making my way through Denita and Beth's Embracing Play podcasts. I'm feeling super inspired, empowered, and thankful for these little nuggets of wisdom.

I'm still working on organizing and prepping for the school year, but I'm definitely feeling excited and thankful for it all!

And just for fun, first day of school pictures the past two years...

2016