School Days

I can't believe we already have a first grader and another in 4K. It's been a while since I've done an update on the boys and school, so I thought today would be a great day to do that!

Kaden - 4K



Kaden loves school. He loves his teacher, his friends, recess, learning and the snacks we get to pack for him each day (Some days, he loves the snacks more than anything!). He knows his letters, his numbers, can write his first and last name and knows our address. He really has a hard time picking his favorite - of anything! - because he likes everything.

This year, he's gone on two field trips already. One was to the pumpkin patch and the other was to see a play - Skippyjon Jones. He really loved both of his field trips.

Even though he's only in 4K, he has homework each week. We work on writing the letter of the week, a few words and his name. He also works on counting by 10s, sorting things and helping around the house.

Right now, he wants to be a policeman when he grows up.


K.C. - First Grade



K.C. loves first grade. He has an awesome teacher who has made him love learning even more. We've discovered this year that he's a whiz at math. He absolutely loves it! In addition to reading, writing and math, he's learning about history and science this year. He also loves to draw and his art class. He's very artistic.

Like his brother, he got to go on a field trip to the pumpkin patch before Halloween.

He's had several projects already this year. He did his first book report on Indiana Jones. He had to write about the book he read, do a character diagram and give an oral report. He made 105 on it (he got 5 points for dressing up!).

He loves to do his homework. He rarely complains about having to do it. My mom found an old school desk that she got for me from a school no longer running when I was little. She gave it to us for the boys and they both love to sit in it and do their homework. I have it set up in the kitchen for them to use at night. K.C. sits in it to do his homework and I stay close to check in on him.

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Both K.C. and Kaden love to read and be read to. We're reading through The Magic Treehouse series now and they love these books. I feel like it's so important to instill a strong love of reading and learning in our kids when they're young which will stay with them as they grow. I'm very hands-on when it comes to making sure homework is done, but I'm very hands off when it comes to creativity.

The boys like to draw and paint and I love for them to do it (even if sometimes painting can be frustrating). I think it's really important for them to do these things on their own, so I'll cover their picnic table with old papers and squirt the colors they need on a plate. My mom used to do the same for me when I was little and I'm glad I get to pass that on to the boys. I also pick up things like "treasure" chests and birdhouses for $4-$5 at Hobby Lobby that they can paint. They love this and you can see the sense of accomplishment they feel when they've finished a project.

I'm so thankful the boys have great schools, teachers and friends, and that they find school and learning fun!

What do you do to foster creativity and a love of learning?



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