Homeschoooling Through the Summer (2016)

We’ve wrapped up testing for the year (PHEW!) and now are finishing up a few subject areas to fully complete our regular school year. Homeschooling through the summer may seem crazy, but continuing learning time during the hot summer months also has its benefits. Summer school isn’t necessarily a fully planned out endeavor in our home but more informal and a little something to keep the learning happening. Our kids 100% need downtime and a chance to explore, however it can be hard to reign them in at the beginning of the year otherwise. 

This year, our six week on and one week off rotation worked fairly well and we were able to take a longer break at Christmas – something we definitely plan to do again! The larger block of vacation time in the summer and around the holidays is definitely wonderful and there will be plenty of pool and relaxing time, but having a summer routine going on is very helpful to us! 

Homeschooling Through the Summer Subjects

This summer we’ll be focusing on a few of the basics and then if some other fun interest-based learning (Kaleb love rocks and we will be digging for shark teeth as well!). 

• Reading – a few of our kids definitely need continued reading practice, and we’ll also be working on read alouds and audio books together. We just received the latest adventure from Heirloom Audio, and that is sure to keep us busy! Add in summer reading programs and we will have plenty to do!
• Science and STEM – while our kids love LEGOs, we are going to continue working with EEME and our Little Bits to create. Add in the rocks and weather fun Kaleb has been having with our Home Science tools, and we’ll have plenty to keep us busy.
• Field trips – yes, please!! 
• PE – there is going to be a LOT of swimming. Swim team starts up in a few short weeks and that involves a whole lot of practice, practice, practice! 
• Rest – it may seem that we’ll be busy, but we do fully intend to relax and have fun too.

When We’ll Work

Early morning means swim practice, so likely after returning home we’ll take a time to work through our daily chores and a bit of school time. Afternoons are typically the time we like to relax and hang out at the pool or with friends – we definitely need to get that relaxing in. 

The idea is to keep it simple and fun. Front porch swings can be a great place to keep the learning going! 

Advantages to Summer Homeschooling

Even if you only do one or two subjects over the summer months, there are a few advantages for your family:

• Less review time when the official school year starts. You know those worksheets at the start of many books that just seem like repetition from the prior year? Yep – they are. Keeping the learning cycle going during the summer months can cut back on many of those ‘repeat’ lessons and let you get to the new concepts faster.
• It’s easier to get back into the normal school routine and schedule. Just working on one or two things a day can keep the learning routine going in your mind and in your child’s, making it easier to ease back into the new school year routine.
• There are TONS of great things to do in the summer. Ok, technically there are lots of great things to do all year round, but the summer time definitely offers a few things like summer reading programs, field trip options that may have been unavailable during the summer months, educational classes at a local children’s center or museum, etc. The opportunities for summer hikes and walks abound – really, so much to do!
• It’s a great time to try out new programs without changing everything. Maybe you have a different approach you’d like to try for reading, but it didn’t mesh with what you’ve been doing during the school year. It’s a great time to try out some new things in an informal way.

Will you be schooling through the summer?

What does your family have planned?