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Ready for School!

Summer is still going strong, but school is just around the corner. Soon, the stores will be filled with backpacks and lunchboxes. I love all those displays. They make me nostalgic for the days of number 2 pencils. Those that are going to school for first time may be feeling a mix of excitement and dread at the sight of all those supplies. The best way to capitalize on the excitement and downplay the dread is to talk and read about school, and even play school. Knowing what to expect goes a long way. And, the library will go a long way to help support you through the school year with good books and resources. So, don’t forget to get my favorite school supply – a library card.

Back to School Activities and Crafts:

  • Ready, Set, Go!
    Practice your morning routine.  Set the kitchen timer and let the kids try to brush their teeth and hair, get dressed, tie their shoes and drink their juice in record time. They will be ready for school before you can say "Good Morning!"
  • Rock in Your School Shoes
    A good song and a great pair of shoes goes along way.  Pete the Cat has earned millions of fans proving just that.  Read his, Rocking in My School Shoes.  Then talk about all the places and activities your children will experience at school.  Sing the song in the book and make up a few verses of your own.  Discussing what to expect at school helps to dispel fears of children and their parents!
  • Get a Library Card
    The  most valuable school supply you can get your child is a library card and it's free (there are no age restrictions).  Using the library and it's many resources will help children in their academic career from kindergarten to graduate school.  The best thing about the library - no tests and you can pick out whatever you want.
  • Spot the spots 
    Spend time finding the perfect spot for the backpack, lunch box, shoes and anything else that your child will be using daily.  Designate a special folder or box to save school drawings and papers in.  Decorate it and then ... find it a worthy spot.

School Songs:

Two Little Houses
Two little houses all closed up tight (make fists).
Open up the window and let in the light (open fist).
Ten little finger people tall and straight (ten fingers).
Ready for school at half past eight (walk with fingers)

Mary Had a Little Lamb by Sarah Josepha Hale
Mary had a little lamb
Whose fleece as white as snow.
And everywhere that Mary went,
The lamb was sure to go!

It followed her to school one day,
which was against the rules.
It made the children laugh and play,
To see a lamb at school.

Wheels on the Bus
Wheels on the bus go round and round,
round and round, round and round,
Wheels on the bus go round and round,
All around the town.

Substitute: wipers on the bush... swish, swish, swish…
driver on the bus....move on back..
horn on the bus...beep beep...


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