Episode 42: In Summer
What do homeschoolers do in summer? With research and fun we discuss the history of summer, the benefits of a summer break versus the benefits of consistency, as well as summer ideas for homeschooling families. In our Coop Q&A segment we answer the important question of "Why do you homeschool?"
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Show Notes
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Scoop on the Coop
Try a family book club! We use book club questions from Sarah MacKenzie’s book, Read Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids. Questions beyond plot, like “Who is the bravest character?” dive deeper into the hearts and minds of your children.
Summer Research
History of Summer:
“Summer Learning Loss: The Problem and Some Solutions” by Harris Cooper, LDonline
Mental Health:
“The Danger of Back to School: Children’s mental health crises plummet in summer and rise in the school year” by Peter Grey, Psychology Today
Learning Loss:
“What I Forgot Over Summer Vacation: Children forget between one and three months' worth of schooling during the summer” by Lisa Tolin, Psychology Today
“What We Know About Summer Learning Loss: An Update: Educators are discovering how summer vacation affects learning” by The Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research, Psychology Today
First Day of Summer Fun
Check out our blog post of how to have a super fun last day of school/first day of summer! Ideas of sentimentality, growth, and of course some splashy fun.
Summer Ideas
Math
Board Games: Play games that use numbers and ask your kids to keep score. Pair the Hans Solo game (for integers practice) with a Star Wars movie and you’ve got a fun math filled movie night!
Online Practice Fun: My son loved learning and practicing his multiplication tables with Multiplication Nation. Currently, it’s $5 per month, so for just $10 you get two months of fun math practice. We interviewed Alex Kajitani, the teacher, and he is a renown teacher and homeschooling parent!
Science & Art
Subscription boxes, like Kiwi Crates, and craft kits like clay jewelry bowls, garden pots wind chimes, sew animals, fairy lights, LEGO Dots boxes, basket weaving, and so much more!
Field Trips & Summer Bucket List
Wait, do we want to take field trips? We normally reserve those for during the year when everywhere is less crowded. So maybe make a Bucket List with your kids. Or, grab a group of friends and have a summer activity with beach bucket goodie bags and a bucket list poster that they complete and share with each other!
Coop Q&A: Why Do You Homeschool?
We love answering that question! For more about why we homeschool, check out Jessica’s and Mandi’s articles on Why I Homeschool and What is Homeschooling!
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