Homeschooling Through the Summer

Lesson plans wait as my little girls collect twigs and pull grass. A Birds’ Nature Park emerges underneath the green-tipped lilac branches. My twelve-year-old son gathers cast-off lumber and sketches plans for a chicken coop.

These first beautiful days of spring remind me of one of the reasons I homeschool: the inherent flexibility.

Photo by Brandi Jordan

During my son’s first year of phonics lessons, our schedule matched public school. I hadn’t considered any other possibility...

To find out my plans for summer learning and get some ideas of your own, please visit The Teachers’ Lounge.

{Psst, if you leave a comment while you’re there, you’ll already be entered for the giveaway from Really Good Stuff here on Monday.}

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While you’re thinking of summer plans, you may want to click over to read my review of a very helpful website I discovered: ChoreBuster.

In Case You’re Looking for Thanksgiving Ideas…

I’ve been in denial about winter holidays. I’m still reeling from skipping a whole season. It was fall when I left Texas. It’s winter here. Seriously. With cold and snow and everything. I even bought an ice scraper. I’d completely forgotten about such a necessity.

My sister offered to host Thanksgiving, so I don’t have to get the pile of paint cans out of the kitchen or prepare a meal that requires actual planning and baking. I do, however, like to take a few moments to teach my children why we celebrate.

So when I saw Frazzled LaShawn post about her plans on Twitter, I begged her to share the links. I know you are more prepared than me, but if you want to add a little something to your well-planned days here are two sites to explore and one craft to make:

• The First Thanksgiving- multi-media stories from Scholastic.com
• You are the Historian- investigate the first Thanksgiving
• Glowbird- only requires a few supplies

And here are a couple things to print from my bookmarks:

• 1st Thanksgiving Book- color, cut, and staple or cut, staple, and color
• Thanks and Giving Tree- capture gratitude on leaves

Because Thanksgiving is still a couple days away, right?

P.S. I did find an advent book. I purchased A Glorious Coming by Ann Voskamp. We will finally make a Jesse Tree this year!

Noteworthy Links: Tech Support Edition

I have my very own tech support person. There’s only one problem lately. He’s miles away and instead of fixing my computer on his time off, he’s chasing cows and eating potatoes. (Yes, he’s definitely in Idaho.)

My monitor flickers to life, taunts me, and then shuts down. I gunked up Dylan’s computer as much as I dare with all my Firefox add-ons, but I can’t download anything or use my printer. Therefore, a couple of these resources I haven’t been able to peruse, but they sound great. (You’ll let me know either way, right?)

Add a mission focus to your lessons with this free curriculum:

• Teaching God’s Heart for the World

Make writing an adventure with this free series:

• How to Teach a Child to Write a Novel

Practice penmanship with this proven method of handwriting:

• Palmer Method of Business Writing

Enjoy a local museum on September 26 courtesy of:

• Smithsonian’s Free Museum Day
  

Also, this week I questioned homeschool and reviewed Beatiful Feet’s Early American History.

Noteworthy Links: Home Renovation Edition

I used to wonder if I would blog while going through a major life change. The answer is not what I intended, but now I know.

So while I try to get this fixed:

Dylan fixed the faucet; I made a mess

And keep my house looking like this:

I can see the table!

I hope you enjoy these links I found noteworthy.

• Be wary of comparison- Finding Ideas, Not Discouragement
• Take a look at the big picture-  Curing Scope and Sequence Syndrome
• Put it all together-  Homeschool Organizing
• Be creative-  25 uses for index cards
• Keep art supplies in reach-  Not-so-lazy Susan

Also, Heart of the Matter’s Online Homeschool Conference is Aug. 3-7. Go check it out. Then come back here tomorrow for your chance to win a ticket. You don’t want to miss it!

Noteworthy Links: Stuff To Do Edition

I’m getting five people ready to drive thousands of miles. I’ve got lots of stuff to do. I imagine you do too, but, since you are here, I hope you found a moment to relax. Here are a few good things you might want to add to your list:

Enjoy nature: Get Outside! Things To Do With Your Kids Outdoors

Stay connected:  Should homeschoolers stick with the system?

Keep sanity:  Ten Commandments for the Homeschool Mom

Find resources: 25 Homeschool Websites You Should Have Bookmarked