Back to School Ideas for Teacher Mom

May I suggest that you look into Heifer Project International. They are an organization that sends animals to people all over the world in need. Those people are then to give the first female offspring to a neighbor in need, who gives their first female to another neighbor, etc. They have helped millions of people, and are one of the most worthwhile causes I know.

That said, they have all different ways to donate, but my two favorite are "buying" an animal and buying an ark. The ark is extremely expensive ($5000), but an animal can be as cheap as $20 (ducks)! They have a beautiful story called "Beatrice's Goat" that explains the process to smaller children, and is a true tale (I met Beatrice).

My thought is for you to talk to Heifer about having someone come in or send you supplies, look into the book, and combine Heifer with Noah and his ark.

I hope this helps, and if you have any questions, please feel free to PM me!

At my friend's son's Jewish school, the theme his teacher did this past year (1st grade) was "Respect". Each and every single day the kids would say one thing that they had done the previous day that showed respect. From helping set the table, to nodding to a person while walking, to getting water for their sick mum, to holding a door, to taking a timeout instead of choking Suzi Derkins, to donating money to a charity, to taking turns, to standing up for another, to x, y, z. The teacher wrote each of the children's answers down in a book that was sent home at the end of the year.

I thought it was a REALLY amazing project. She also used stories from the Torah, as well as fiction, and everyday life (How did the character show or not show respect for the elderly woman? How does the judicial system show respect for victims and accused? How do children show respect for parents? How do parents show respect for children?). Same token, the difference between an accident and disrespect, and how to recover from disrespecting someone. What situations would you NOT show respect for someone (Ex: A stranger telling you to come to their car). Is it possible for one action to be both respectful and disrespectful at the same time? (Ex: Different cultures - It's disrespectful to call someone fat in America, but in some cultures saying someone is fat is a compliment, attitude -it's respectful to say "Thank You" but not in a snarky tone of voice, intent: it's respectful not to interrupt, but in an emergency one NEEDS to interrupt, etc.)

I loved the theme so much, I'm borrowing it this year!!

I can imagine it's pretty hard now but once your students are in the room you'll be so busy that missing your children won't be as intense. I would have grandma and dad take lots of pictures and video and if you can afford it hire a maid or highschooler-mother's helper, so that you can focus on the kids when you get home and not the laundry.
I can't help you with themes but I just saw Target had some teacher stuff in their Dollar spot, maybe you just need to get out and go teacher shopping and see what you can find to inspire you. ANd don't be afraid to lean on your co-workers.

What makes the year special?? hmmm, i don't know if you could do this or not but as a mom i always appreciated photos or momentos of the fun things the kids did beyond their normal routine. I guess it helped me feel connected and aware of what was going on in the class. I Loved seeing mykids journals, and drawings.
Happy back to school!

our school does the bucket fillers program, https://www.bucketfillers101.com/home.html
the author came and spoke, they give out awards weekly, etc, and it has made a dramatic reduction in discipline problems. a really nice neat easy way to explain the golden rule. and i read the other moms suggestion about the heifer program, i love it. from what i understand, it truly is a hand up rather than a hand out kind of program, really great, and can lend itself to so many lessons and activities as well, i love it