Even those of us who homeschool year round take a break at some point in the summer. Whether you are enjoying a brief summer reprieve or a full blown summer vacation, you’ll enjoy these ideas for making the most of those hot sizzling summer days.
Table of contents
1. Take a break!
Use the summer to enjoy your family! Forget about homeschooling for a while and just be mom. After a few weeks, you’ll be rested and ready to gear back up again.
2. Try a nature study.
If you haven’t spent time outdoors during the year, you can easily make up for it in the summer. You can spend time in the national parks, the local park, or your own backyard.
Start a garden, chase bugs (lots of THOSE in the summer…), sketch, or grow herbs.
Here are a few more nature study ideas:
10 Easy Ways to Add Nature Study
Ideas to get you started.
10 Things to Put in Your Nature Journal
More.
Nature Index
More nature studies, resources, free eBooks, and ideas.
3. Work through a unit study.
Summer is a great time to pursue your interests as a family. There are many unit studies available (many are free online), one of which is sure to spark an interest. Or better yet, use your current family interest to build your own unit.
Free Unit Studies
Sources for free unit studies.
Unit Studies
Complete listing of free units, including our own unit studies.
4. Read inspiring and motivating books for Mom.
How-to, encouragement, motivating tips, and ideas — all available in books written by others. By investing time now in preparation, you’ll be ready to jump into another year.
Recommended Reading
Our favorite homeschool helps.
5. Work on a new approach.
Was something missing from your studies this past year? Was the spark gone?
Spend time reading about the various methods. Make a note of those approaches that sound interesting and give them a short test drive this summer.
6. Look for new homeschooling ideas.
Did you have problems motivating a child this past year? Could you use some suggestions for simplifying? Would you like to add innovative ideas to your educational mix?
Take a tip from the Teaching Toolbox!
7. Spend time scheduling.
Once you are inspired, have worked on new approaches and ideas for next year, and have your plans generally laid out, summer is a great time to revamp your schedule or develop an entirely new one.
It doesn’t have to be a minute-by-minute plan, but an overall guide will keep your homeschool running smoothly next year.
Smart Scheduling
Scheduling helps from our Step-by-Step Guide.
8. Develop spiritually.
The best place we can invest our time this summer is in our walk with the Lord. All of our plans, hopes, dreams and goals for our children and families should be prayerfully brought before Him. Under His guidance, we will find that we have everything we need to homeschool with success.
Bible Study Tools
A wide-range of tools.
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