It’s official. Even though we all go to different schools, we are all back in homework/lesson planning/projects/deadlines mode. This year Logan started eighth grade, I am now teaching sixth grade, and John starts his first semester at the University. We’re back to school all over the place.
This is what back to school looks like for us
Apparently, junior high students do not like it when you take their first day of school photos in front of the school. That didn’t stop me though! This is Logan on his second day of school because I had a staff meeting on his first day so I couldn’t take him (working mom life in action 😉 .
John started at San Diego State University, with hopefully just two more years left to finish his degree as a computer science and software engineer major. He and I are past the point where we can have meaningful conversations about his classes. When he starts talking about his projects I get a glazed look in my eye. Things like linked lists and raspberry pies mean a WHOLE different thing in the land of computer engineers. I think I’m getting pretty good at the “just smile and nod” thing though.
I began my first year as a 6th grade teacher. I’ve taught transitional kindergarten, first grade Spanish/English dual immersion, second grade, third grade, and a combo class before. So far I’m loving the independence of this age group. It helps that I have a super sweet group of 6th graders, so we don’t waste a lot of class time dealing with preteen drama. The curriculum is diverse and challenging and I am having a lot of fun teaching these upper grade standards.
Still 2 years until you go back to school, girls!
Ok, Emily wasn’t super happy to be a part of this picture, haha. Which is why I didn’t use it for my back to school snack ideas post! But really, the twins love backpacks and reading and coloring and positive praise. As much as I want them to grow up to be little scholars, my main goal is for them to grow up happy, confident, and knowing that they are loved. My theory is that a child who is healthy in her heart will have what she needs to conquer the giants.
Here are a few pics of my classroom decor. It’s pretty bland, and we’re pretty poor, so I’m doing what I can to decorate it on the cheap using donations and kid art. After I took these pics we were given a huge memory-foam pillow/beanbag thingy, which makes for a pretty cool reading space for 2 or 3 kiddos.
1: Some cool “think” wall decals I found online. 2. A butterfly wreath thingy I created. Parents wrote a message on each ribbon for their child, and I hung the ribbons from the wreath. 3. John made this counter area. The kids use it on the daily! 3. My motto, both for the 6th graders and myself.
Now that we are in “back to school” mode, life seems more normalized. When we have a regular weekly routine that has everyone up and out the door on a daily basis, our lives seem calmer.
Is it just me or does the predictability of being back to school help your family to feel more organized too?