Back to School: The First Days and Beyond

After the longest summer, we had the slowest and strangest "back-to-school" weeks around here.  

Will started middle school at Kinkaid way back on August 22, before Harvey was even a hurricane. 

First day of sixth grade!! 

I love this Kinkaid shirt. The back says "Get TUF - Talons Up Falcons!"

Will went to school for three days before Harvey hit, then had about ten days off, and then went back to school for an additional two days before Henry started.  

Henry had 15 weeks of summer vacation this year. You would think after 15 weeks, he would be ready for school, but he was not. He was so sad about going back to school that we made happy face waffles for breakfast one morning to try to cheer him up.

After a two-week delay, Henry finally went back to school on September 11. First day of fourth grade!

Will left for a sixth grade field trip to Mo Ranch before Henry even woke up for his first day of school.

At Mo Ranch, the kids did ropes courses, kayaking, swimming, learned about water ecology and reptiles and so much more. It was an opportunity for the kids to get to know each other outside of the classroom setting and make new friends. Will came back with so many stories to tell!

Will was gone for four days and three nights, so Henry's first week of school was pretty quiet. He helped me walk Ruby after dinner most nights.

After four days at Mo Ranch, the sixth graders were exhausted and didn't have school on Friday. Will's day off was relaxing -- our big outing was a visit to a bookstore and lunch out! 

Back-to-school means back to homework and busy nights. All middle school students at Kinkaid were issued laptops this year, and it has been a really positive experience so far. All the assignments are posted online and Will has several web-based assignments each week in addition to traditional work. He knows exactly what he needs to do and just comes home and does it.

I took these photos on a Friday evening (before Mo Ranch) when he wasn't supposed to have any homework. His French teacher gave two assignment anyway, and he just sat down and got to work! French is one of his favorite classes so far, but I also hear a lot about band (he's going to learn the trumpet), science and math, as well as the cafeteria food, which is apparently delicious. So far, Kinkaid seems to be an excellent fit for Will. He is settling in, making friends, and loving his classes, and best of all, he is truly challenged.

Henry did not love going back to school for the first few days, until he got to art class. We finally have art and music at WUES this year, and it has made a huge difference in Henry's outlook. Instead of dreading a writing or math lab, ancillary time is a true break and creative or physical outlet for the kids. Fourth graders also switch classes, and the first day of "switches" was last Monday. Henry loves switching and getting to visit different teachers! His favorite switch so far is science with Ms. Inman (Will's fourth grade homeroom teacher).

Fourth grade is chock-full of projects, and they have started already. Henry decorated his science journal with a photo of a sea turtle and one of him at the Houston Arboretum with Ruby. He's got a big grin because he actually loves projects! (It lets him be creative!)

Another science project was to make a scientist doll. Henry chose a marine biologist, or course. I helped cut out the felt and do some stapling, but he did the rest by himself.

Henry also had to do a book review; he chose Fablehaven, which is his all-time favorite novel.

And finally, we are doing some ISEE prep.

It's been a memorable start to the school year, but I think we've finally hit our stride!