Our Homeschool Back-to-School Theme for 2019-2020

"Each year I have homeschooled, I have introduced a new theme for the year. A theme seems to set the tone for a great year!" said Andrea, a homeschool mom.

Join me as I share a little from my interview of Andrea about why her family has a back-to-school theme, their theme for this year, themes of the past, and how you might decide on a theme of your own.

Q: What Inspired You to Pick a School Year Theme?

I had been reading the NieNie Dialogues blog and feeling so inspired. Stephanie always had a back-to-school feast and a theme to get her kids started on the right foot. I LOVED that idea! That is what first inspired me to pick a back-to-school year theme.

Q: How Do You Pick the Perfect School Year Theme?

Well, I pray about it...I really do. I start looking for a new theme several months before school starts. I try to see what trials or difficulties my children are going through, or might be going through soon, and find a theme that matches that challenge.

Last year, I had the theme "I will Be What I Believe." I wasn't as committed to this theme as I had been to others and wondered if I had chosen the "right" one. Then, October came around and it was time for my Church's annual General Conference. That's when we gather together as a world-wide church in buildings all over the world to listen to our church leaders and prophets. One of the talks specifically mentioned that we are what we believe and that's when I knew. I had been totally inspired to pick that theme.

Q: How Do You Introduce Your New Theme Each Year?

I like to make the introduction to our new theme a special event. A special dinner, a small gift for each girl to help them remember the theme, a scripture if applicable, and some pretty artwork for the home and school room.

Generally, we incorporate our back-to-school feast and introduction to the new theme on a Monday evening for Family Home Evening. Then, we start school on a Tuesday.

Q: What Themes Have You Had in the Past?

Well, I don't know if I can remember them all off the top of my head! But, here's what I can remember. Maybe you can check my Instagram or Facebook to see if I'm right!

2018 - I Will Be What I Believe. For this theme, I wanted us to remember to follow our Savior in all we do.
2017 - Arise with Kindness. This one kind of speaks for itself. We needed some extra help to remember to wake up in a good mood! We had a great quote for this one from Thomas S. Monson:

"As we arise each morning let us determine to respond with more love and kindness to whatever might come our way."

2016 - Make the Decision To Do What Jesus Christ Has Asked Us To Do. There were lots of pictures of Christ and scriptures that were good for this one. The options were limitless!

Q: What is Your Back-to-School Theme for 2019?

This year's back-to-school theme is "React with Love." This one had a lot of thought behind it and I think it is really important. Of course, with three little girls, we sometimes have arguing and bickering in the house. Actually, they are usually quick to resolve problems by themselves. But I noticed, particularly with my oldest, that they did not quickly forgive or react with love to THEMSELVES. For example, when Chloe didn't have a story or picture turn out to her level of expectations, she was really hard on herself and I didn't want that. This theme has already helped with the girls reacting to each other and themselves with more love and patience.

Q: What Would You Tell Someone Who is Looking for the Perfect Theme?

Um...well, first of all, I would say there are either no "perfect themes" or there are thousands of "perfect themes"! It just depends on how you look at it. Like I said before, I pray about it. I take into consideration the family dynamics and what's happening in our lives and how we can improve. Then I pray and prepare to be inspired! It also helps to hear what other homeschool moms have done and what worked for them. Pinterest has tons of fantastic ideas!

Q: I Noticed the Girls Each Get a Glass Star. What's That All About?

Ah, yes...the glass stars! Another awesome idea from the NieNie blog! At the end of each year, I order a glass star from  Piggy and Dirt Etsy Shop by Kurt Knudsen with the theme on it. I present each girl with her star and praise them for all their hard work and growth. Then, we hang the stars up in the classroom window.

Look closely in the top right corner for the glass stars!

Wow! Thanks for this interview, Andrea! I continue to be inspired by your thoughtful ideas, fun crafty projects, and motivation to be the best you can be!

How about you, dear readers? Does your family have a back-to-school theme? We would love to hear about it in the comments below!

Don't forget to follow Andrea for more great ideas for your homeschool classroom on Instagram @littlelightofhomeschool and follow her and her three sisters on all things country and farm life @thefletcherfarmhouse.