How to make your homeschool an endless summer

how to make your homeschool an endless summer
Written by contributor Jena of Yarns of the Heart

May is a time of endings and beginnings. Graduation, summer vacation…the world tends to follow a public school clock, and even though we homeschoolers aren’t confined by these boundaries, we still find ourselves relaxing more as May comes around.

While you’re spending more time outside and letting go of some routines, I say, “Embrace the summer attitude!” Let a summer mindset be the climate of your schooling.

Look for ways to let summer last all year long.

Here’s what I mean:

  • This summer, notice how your kids are learning on their own. What do they choose to do? Are they learning anything while they do it? Maybe their natural drive could be the foundation of your schooling in the fall.
  • Ask your kids what they would like to do this summer. Ask why, and the answer will give you a lot of insight into what motivates them. Could these sports, activities or travel opportunities open up unit studies and research projects?
  • Do you keep a strict schedule in the summer? Probably not as strict as the school year, so pay attention to the difference. Do you all get along better? Are you more creative? Are you still learning? Maybe you’ll want to incorporate a less scheduled lifestyle into your schooling.
  • Keep a journal or take pictures of what you do this summer, then reflect in August. What elements of your summer could keep going all year long?

child with shell on beachAs I write this, I am reminded of the first post I wrote for my blog in 2008. I called it School, an Endless Summer. It’s a wistful look back as my oldest was about to graduate high school.

When we started this journey, I viewed homeschooling as a continuation of the preschool years, as a life seamlessly flowing from one season into the next without the abrupt stops and starts that traditional schooling imposes. It really was a life of endless summers.

I guess it’s deep in my bones to keep learning natural and fun, like exploring the beach on a summer evening.

How would you describe the climate of your homeschool?

How to homeschool without actually homeschooling

how to homeschool without actually homeschooling

Jamie Martin, editor of Simple Homeschool, also blogs about motherhood at Steady Mom At the start of the new year many of you completed a survey for those of us who blog under the Simple Living Media umbrella. I admit to being rather surprised … [Continue reading]

Weekend links

weekend links

When the best of times ends in the worst of times :: I'm so saddened to report that the mommy blogger community lost one of our own this week with the tragic death of Kathreen Ricketson. Please join me in prayers for her two children, ages 13 and … [Continue reading]

Resources for interest-led learning

curriculum fair 2012

Written by Jamie Martin, editor of Simple Homeschool and Steady Mom A note from Jamie: Though I chose not to do a full curriculum fair this year, there are plenty of curriculum posts in the archives for those interested in scrolling through them as … [Continue reading]

How to help your kids fall in love with history

how to help your kids fall in love with history

Written by contributor Kris Bales of Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers. History is boring! Okay, not really, but that's definitely how I felt when I was in school. Now, history is my favorite subject to learn alongside my kids and one of their … [Continue reading]

Weekend links

The love of a mother

What I need :: Clean Let Newtown moms know they're not alone this Mother's Day :: Sandy Hook Promise No big deal, but this researcher's theory explains everything about how Americans parent :: Slate A tale of two educations: The motivated … [Continue reading]

Weekend giveaway: Green Kids Crafts

greenkidcrafts1

This giveaway has ended. Thanks for entering! This weekend I'm happy to introduce you to one of our family's favorite recent discoveries: Green Kid Crafts. Are your kids as excited about receiving mail as mine are? Each month when they discover a … [Continue reading]