Creative Ways to Homeschool Through the Summer -

As a homeschooling family, we are often asked if we homeschool through the summer and, if so, what that looks like.

One summer, I kept a record of our activities. This is the result:

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Homeschool Through The Summer

Summer brings with it opportunities to slow down, have fun, and focus on family time. This is the case whether you plan to continue with your favorite curriculum throughout the summer months, or not. If you are worried about what learning will look like for your family this summer, never fear! Everyday activities can be real life educational experiences. (Just don’t refer to them as such in front of your children⎯haha).

While it is not necessary to categorize each activity your child engages in throughout the summer, it can be eye-opening to do so on occasion as a reminder that everyday life is literally one big educational playground. In parentheses, you will find the categories assigned to each activity. These categories are flexible and will differ for each family.

I hope this list inspires you to look at everyday activities in a whole new light. After all, it was Albert Einstein who once said, “Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one learned in school.”

Morning

Children spent time running barefoot in the grass (physical education, emotional health, nature)
Children molded clay (arts and crafts, emotional health, creativity, imagination)
Daughter wrote an encouraging note to a friend (writing, art, service, ministering, emotional health)
Son made phone calls in an effort to fix bike tires (social, life skills, communication)
Children practiced piano (art, creativity, music, emotional health)
Daughter practiced sketching wedding dresses (art, creativity, emotional health)
Daughter began reading one of mom’s library books and proclaimed, “Mom, this book about the life of William Wilberforce is so fascinating. I love reading it!” (reading, history, life-long learning)

Recommended: Homeschool in the Woods Unit Studies

Son listened to encouraging music while designing with Legos (emotional health, engineering, math)
Son researched Alcatraz and then designed it using Legos (research, history, engineering)
Son designed working catapult with Legos (engineering, science) DaVinci model kit
Child practiced emotional regulation while working on a subject they don’t enjoy (social skills, emotional skills)
Daughter spent hours typing historical fiction book (writing, typing, research, history, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, character development, historical accuracy, creativity)
Child apologized for causing contention (social skills, life skills, emotional health)
Children played with ladybugs and potato bugs while weeding the yard (science, nature, emotional health)
We connected with friends and neighbors to share lemons (social, ministering)

Recommended: 40 Nature Walks-Print and Go

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Afternoon

Daughter read book to brother for hours on end (reading, social, emotional health)
Daughter organized recipe book (home economics, cooking, life skills)
Trouble-shooted a dryer that is not working properly (life skills)
Daughters orchestrated and practiced a dance for their upcoming Shakespeare play (art, physical education)
Daughter spent hours on Google earth (geography, computur skills)
Children watched science video (science)
Discussed how current events are making us feel (emotional health, life skills)
Daughter deep cleaned and organized kitchen (home economics, life skills)
Children had a tutored math lesson (math, logic)

Recommended: Loving Living Math

Family completed chores and spent afternoon deep cleaning one room each (organization, life skills)
Practiced a lot of emotional regulation while being stuck indoors for extended periods of time (life skills, emotional resilience, survival skills)
Children practiced songs for upcoming community concert (music, social)

Hands-On History Activities for Music Lovers:

Family discussed Isaac Newton (science, history)
Children made meals (home economics, life skills, math)
Daughter studied for her driver’s permit (life skills)
Spent time doing nature photography (art, nature)
Pulled out the canner to can beans (home economics)

Evening

Family played Cadoo, Pit, and Aggravation (social skills, logic, emotional health, family relationships)
Looked through family scrapbooks together as a family (social, emotional health)
Family discussed genetics (science)
Wrote in our journals (writing, history)
Counted our blessings (spiritual, emotional health)
Daughter called elderly neighbors to make sure they are doing okay (social, service, ministering, communication)
Reflected on the state of our country and world, and in He in whom we put our trust (history, spiritual, emotional health)
Family members spent hours reading individually (reading, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension)

Recommended: Living Literature Grammar Packs

Family scripture study (spiritual health, discussion and debate, emotional health)
Caught up on our sleep (physical and emotional health)
Shared lots of hugs and “I love yous” (life skill, emotional health)
Watched an occasional family-friendly movie (family relationships, emotional health)
Stayed up late laughing and talking together as a family (social, emotional health, family relationships)

Conclusion

Allow your children to engage in normal and natural everyday activities as they homeschool through the summer, especially those activities that ignite imagination and creativity.

You’ll be surprised at the learning that takes place.