Every week my son has journal writing as part of his homework.  Last year, Angry Kid had some very simple prompts.  But this year’s first homework prompt actually gave me an idea for blog material.  I figure that I could manipulate it a little to fit my writing. We will see how it goes. I might not doing it all the time, but thought that it would be fun.

“Write 3 things that you like about being in first grade” is this week’s prompt.  I’m going to now write my version.

“Three Things That I Like About First Grade”

1.  Longer School Days

Angry Kid was an early bird for Kindergarten last year.  He went to school from 8:15am-11:35am.  The mornings would fly by.  You really couldn’t get much done.

Angry Kid goes to school from 8:15am-2:15pm now, and gets an early out every Wednesday.  It is simply amazing.  We did the after-school program last year for childcare three days a week.  My mom is picking up Angry Kid two days a week after school now.  It is all going well.

2.  Not Volunteering Every Monday

I volunteered EVERY Monday in my son’s class last year.  I was there for journal writing, worksheet assistance, and anything else that I was needed for.  I loved being in my son’s class, but it really limited my free time on my days off.  I knew that his teacher counted on the parent volunteers so I never missed a day.  I wanted to sleep in soooo bad, but I never did.

I put my name down to assist with making copies or other simple things this year.  I didn’t commit to a scheduled weekly time each week.  I have a lot more freedom.  Plus, I know more people (parents) now, so I will have an open ear to what is going on in the class, with my son, etc.

3. My Son’s Confidence

Everything was an unknown last year.  Although we had a great deal of structure last year, Angry Kid stumbled through homework and academics.  Angry Kid was learning how to form his letters, write, and to read, all at the same time.  It was a lot of work for a five-year-old.  It seemed like he finally got it all around Spring Break last year.  It finally clicked for him.  During the summer, he was trying REALLY hard with his reading and spelling.  He kept trying to sound out words from signs, and even things on TV.

Angry Kid was noticeably different this year.  He walked to school without complaining. I told him last year that he has to carry his own backpack, to and from school.  He never hesitated and grabs it every morning.  He gives us input for his school lunches.  His choices have included snap peas, sliced oranges, and water.  I’m not quite sure if this kid is mine sometimes.  Although, we are struggling with the journal writing, he flew through the rest of his homework.  He totally gets math, which is good, because it completely confuses me.  He is a great reader, and I can tell that he is really try hard to sound out the words that he doesn’t understand.

I think that the biggest lesson that we learned from Kindergarten is time management.  We learned to break up the homework and not pile it all on at once. Plus, Angry Kid gets super cranky after 6pm or so.  We can’t really accomplish anything after then.  We are going to start doing a reward type of system for reading at home.  Once I figure out exactly what we are doing, I will post about it.

And really, the worst thing about first grade is the exhaustion.  Angry Kid has so much going on and I’m sure that he is soo tired at the end of the day.  I know, I’m tired.  I’m sure it will take a few months to get used to full-day school, and first grade. We had a rough first week.

What are your favorite things about school being back in session? No matter how old your kids are.