Meet Kate, Reynie, No. 2, Sticky, Mr. Benedict, Constance, and Rhonda Kazembe!

If you are familiar with The Mysterious Benedict Society series by Trenton Lee Stewart, you know that these are the heroes and heroines who save the world from Ledroptha Curtain and his menacing Whisperer.

During the spring and summer, our family thoroughly enjoyed reading and listening to Mr. Stewart’s entire series.   Everyone appreciated the books so much that I sent my mom on a secret quest for small red buckets in anticipation of a Mysterious Benedict Society themed first day of school!

We began the first day by looking at the newspaper, so that, just like the kids in the books, they would discover an advertisement for attending a session of special tests for gifted kids.  The theme was revealed in an instant and smiles abounded!

Next, I hand delivered each of them a wrapped package.  Each package was identifiable with their name as well as with a character’s name from the story.  Clothing fitting for the character was inside each package.

And then, everyone was transformed…

Reynard (Reynie Muldoon): 
Reynie is great at solving riddles and complicated puzzles. He’s also a leader.

George (Sticky) Washington: 
Sticky is a superfast reader and everything he reads or sees sticks in his mind.  He never forgets anything! When he’s nervous, he endlessly tries to clean his glasses.
 
Kate Weatherall (AKA “The Great Kate Weather Machine”):
Kate can ‘weather’ any situation with her amazing physical and acrobatic feats. She is also known for always having her trusty red bucket filled with tools useful for anything that comes her way!

Constance Contraire:
Constance is the surprisingly useful, but completely stubborn toddler whose love for writing rude poems grates on everyone’s nerves.

Rhonda Kazembe:
Rhonda is one of Mr. Benedict’s loyal, kindhearted helpers who has an excellent memory.

After a fun breakfast with the ‘now’ traditional cupcakes, first day notes from mom, and a Scripture focus, the kids were off to take their tests!

Just like the characters in the book series, we had our children complete 3 special tests (including the honesty test with Rhonda and the Room Challenge). ( I found a free printable test here.)

Here is a look at a few of the other activities the kids participated in as part of our Fun First Day!

• We filled in our 1st Day Growing in Grace Sheets and wrote Encouraging Notes to Siblings!
  
• One of our older daughters created a Scavenger Hunt for her youngest three siblings.
  (Many of these were taken from the fifth book in the series called Mr. Benedict’s Book of Perplexing Puzzles, Elusive Enigmas, and Curious Conundrums.) 
   
• The kids played Mysterious Benedict Society Jeopardy. (for purchase over at TPT)
  
• We all listened to an interview with the author. 
  It was interesting and it cleared up a friendly  family argument over the correct pronunciation of Reynie’s name!
• The kids stretched their minds completing rebus puzzles. (We found a few for free online.)
  
• I gave the kids scenarios and they had to pick up a tool from Kate’s bucket and tell how they would use it to solve the problem. (The free printable templates found here.)
  
• The youngest two kids had fun competing to shoot marshmallows into Kate’s bucket.
  
• We drew random names of items from a hat and then incorporated those words into poems (similar to those of Constance)!
  
• We played around with Morse Code – delivering and receiving a message from one another.
  
• We celebrated the end of our first day with a yummy dessert with daddy!
  

With a focus on teamwork, family, and friendship,
it was a very engaging and memorable first day to begin a brand new school year!

My favorite crew, all in character!