No Books in School???

It is that time of year again, Back to School.  We recently had our 6th grade orientation night.  While there we were introduced to the staff, classrooms, and the lockers.....  With combination locks..  That is a whole other story for another day lol.

What I wanted to talk about is how the schools run now.  Almost all the schools do not have textbooks anymore.  When I was in school I had a book for each subject.  As soon as my 2 hit school I have yet to see a textbook!!!!

So how do the kids learn?  They have what look like weekly readers in the classroom.  These are what they use to learn whatever it is at that time.  The catch, the school only receives 30 copies of this so it has to stay in the classroom, but the kids use the Chromebooks and can pull them up online.  Ok, this is the scary part to me.  This is how our school runs and we are a small community.  I would consider a high poverty area.  I know lots of other schools run this way as well.  What do the kids do that do not have phones, computers, or internet at home do?  How do they do their homework if they need those?  I have heard some classes have a check out policy so they can take it home, which is great!  Only issue I see is there are over 100 kids that go through that classroom and I guarantee more than 30 probably do not have access to internet.

I know some classrooms do have a  book, but it stays in the classroom since they only have enough for one class.  Math.....  Math is still engaged NY for our school.  This means still just worksheets.  I am not sure what other schools use for math but would love to know!!!!  Our school went to Engaged NY when everything went to common core because this was a free platform if I remember correctly.

I know for one I did not learn math this way.  Pretty  sure most of us did not.  So when our kids bring this home it is like a foreign language to us.  To top it off no textbook to refer to in order to help them.  Where do we get help.....  You guessed it, hop online to look it up. Now I happen to be one of the parents that bought a set of books to help us out, but these books were around $300!!  I paid $300 to relearn math I already learned!!!  These books will get us all the way through college, but still not everyone in this area can drop that kind of money for books on math.

Now, I am a mom who is very active in their kids schooling and I personally know alot of the teachers.  This helps in a big way.  I know what is going on and if I need to I contact that teacher.  Our school does have a great way to stay connected with the teacher and classroom activities, but once again that is all online.  I get we are in a digital age, but I think it is a very high poverty rate as well.  I have a feeling this year will make or break a lot of kids.

I would be interested to hear how other schools are ran and what kind of curriculum that you do.

I really do love our school system.  This is in no way a bash at our school, because I know we are not the only school that does this.  I have had retired teachers come to me and ask me things about school and when I tell them they are floored at how the school system is ran.  It use to be a teacher would spend there summer making lesson plans and getting ready for the year.  Now the lesson plans are pre made for the teachers and they all teach the same thing.  It is good in a way because I can call another mom if need be and ask them something, but also bad because the teachers do not get to personalize their way of teaching.  Now our teachers still try to keep some personal touches in the classroom and I love it!!  I know other schools that they do not.  

Head Cootie Spray

It is back to school time and what does that mean?  Them little, pesky head cooties!!!!!

What do we do in our house?  We have an all natural cootie hair spray that we use every morning on our hair to help prevent and deter them.

Here is my recipe that I have used almost 4 years now:

Grab a 6 or 8 ounce spray bottle

Fill almost to the top with water

Add a splash of Witch hazel (helps mix oil into the water)

15 Drops of Melaleuca

10 Drops Lavender

10 Drops Rosemary

5 Drops Peppermint

Shake before each use

Now, not only can this be used on someones hair, it can be used on coats, backpacks, or lunch boxes.  You name it you can spray in on it without fear of an oily residue being left.  The Lavender also has some detangling properties so it works great on my girls hair in the mornings to help get the tangles out.  

Here is a video explanation as well:

Head Cootie Spray Video

Here is a link to my oil page if you would like to purchase the oils:

Purchase Oils HERE

Back to school

It's that time of year again!  Time to get the kids ready to go back to school.  Show of hands who is ready  ✋✋  I know for sure I am ready.  This year I have a second year preschooler, third grade, and sixth grader.   Now my sixth grader is the one with the biggest adjustment.

In our school district sixth grade you move to the Jr. High, have lockers with combination locks on them, and change classrooms.  I have come across some ideas to help our littles transition and wanted to share.

One big thing is how to use a combination lock.  I remember learning how to do this and it can be frustrating so I have found some information to help.  So run to Dollar General or somewhere close and just get a cheap combination lock for them to use to practice with.

Her is a great video I came across

Informational Video on Combination Lock

And here is a great graphic

Another big step is having a schedule to follow and remembering it.  You need to not only remember it but be sure you have your books and supplies for that class.  It can be a hassle at first to dig out your schedule every time you go to your locker but I found an awesome way to put it on your locker door and make it so that you can rearrange if it changes:

Popsicle sticks!!  You can decorate the sticks by coloring, painting, or using decorative tape.  Each stick is a class and room number and then put magnets on the back.  Tada!!  Open your door and there is your schedule.


 The next thing I came across when searching around was help remembering passwords.   I know my elementary school kid has like 4 passwords to use in school!!!!!  I know I Have a hard time remembering mine so I can't imagine with everything they have to remember it being difficult to remember.  So I found this idea:

Simple, cute, and easy.  They can stash this in their backpack and if they need it, it's there.

I found another cute idea that I think I am going to do for my step daughter as well.  Its a school survival kit.  Now I found some different ones but you need to be sure to check your schools policy on carrying Tylenol and such with them.  Most schools do not allow this. Here are a couple ideas that I am going to run with:

Basic idea is a cute little bag or container.  I have seen an altoid container used and that would be more up the alley of what a boy would want ;).  Place random things that they may need during the day.  Lotion, chapstick, wet wipe, sanitary things for girls ;), deodorant, band aids, hair ties or bobby pins, kleenex, and hand sanitizer.  I know our school is a gum free zone.  So be sure to check on gum or mints things of those nature as well.

Anything to help our kids feel a little more comfortable and less stressed I am all for it.  Do you have any other ideas let us know.  Like this blog click the follow button for more great blogs  :)