What are some ways...

[mamayi]

you mark or celebrate the end of the school year? I got some great ideas for how some of you start the year so I am curious as to how you end it.

[christyg]

Hi mamayi! Well, our homeschool group had an end of the year party a couple of weeks ago. We had a potluck meal, gave out certificates that we made up (my daughter got one for great achievement in kindergarten, and my son got one for being a great little brother during school time ), and then we played card games and board games (even the parents). It was really fun.

Now, at our house, we won't officially be done with this year until the 2nd week of June. I am going to let my daughter do something special for completing The Reading Lesson. I will probably let her invite a couple of friends over for an ice cream/ swimming party (cheap pool ) at our house, and I may get her a little gift as well (haven't decided about that yet). That's just an idea. If it happens to rain, we may let her take a couple of friends to a movie, or to get their nails painted, or something like that.

I love the idea of doing something fun at the end of the year! Great question! It will be interesting to get some more ideas!

Blessings,
Christy

[Busymomma1]

We like to have some sort of "special" celebration! In the past, we've gone out for hot fudge sundaes, and this year the kids want to get an Auntie Anne's Pretzel at a local mall. So... whatever seems special to the kids will work for me! And like the previous poster, we give prizes or rewards for reaching milestones within the year, like a prize for finishing The Reading Lesson, or a reward for completing their math workbooks. I'm trying to gravitate away from actual toys as they get older, and more towards picking a special dessert or something, or maybe a trip for an ice cream.

Happy Celebrating! Our last day is TOMORROW! We will finish BEYOND!

[happy@home]

Last year we bought a cake with "Way To Go Bryan & Rachel!" written on it. I printed "Kindergarten" and "Preschool" certificates for each child. We had a little party and I gave each child a book for all their hard work. Inside the book I wrote a personal note and included what "grade" they were completing. They loved it!! I think I will change the "grade" to the actual HOD guide this year instead. I like the idea of giving certificate for reaching a certain milestone. My dc already know that when they finish with their phonics program they get to go to the library and get their own library card.

Robbin

[my3sons]

We went to Chucke Cheese and after that ate out at a Mexican restaurant - they got dessert there too! We never do this so it was special.

In Christ,
Julie

[mamayi]

Those are some great ideas! Is it ok if I "steal" some of them?
I came up with four categories to give recognition for: Most improved skill, most improved character trait, greatest academic strength, courses completed (I am going to list all of the books we read too).
I will give a combo of certificates and a small token (for example, my ds7's most improved skill is handwriting so I am going to get him a special pen).
There is also a restaurant less than a mile from our house that my son ALWAYS asks to go to and which we rarely do so I plan on taking the children there for a breakfast meeting with our "school principal" (i.e. Dad) where we will enjoy a meal and give the children their awards.
This is our third year homeschooling and using HOD and has truly been a blessing. I cannot imagine teaching my children any other way!

[momofgreatones]

What great ideas! None of these have ever occurred to me. That is what's so great about this board, I gain from everyone else's widsom.

[Busymomma1]

I love the "most improved..." idea! I might have to use that sometime!

[Kathleen]

Rebecca had a great idea here... viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5715&p=41841#p41841 We just finished our school year, and had family visiting & lots of "extras" so our week was full. But I'm thinking that I'd like to do something like this and invite Grandparents over for a party where we can celebrate all we've learned this year. (Maybe we can add it in with Alli's birthday party this week? )

Kathleen