We officially finished our school year last week. Yet, last week our days were filled with plenty of learning with our homeschool Drama Troupe’s production of The Jungle Book.
This week I have been tying up loose ends. One is writing Narrative Report Cards following Barb-Harmony Art Mom’s excellent example. We’ve done these for the last couple of years. It meets our state requirement for a yearly summary report. Plus it helps us reflect on the year of learning. And the children really like getting them! There were plenty of other things going on this week, plus some heartache, as you’ll see in the collage at bottom. But back to the summer wish list…
When we move away from the regular rhythm of studies, there happens a simpler way of learning. I like to plan summer learning in wish list form. And I share my wish list below. This, of course, isn’t everything, but a start of what I’m thinking about our summer time:
- Nature Study: Intensive, delight-directed nature study with the new More Nature Study Summer ebook to be published soon from Handbook of Nature Study (HBNS). There are so many things to notice in summer. Not only during our beach trip but right in our own backyard. I’m talking lightning bugs, hummingbirds, blooming wildflowers and hydrangea bushes. Plus any of the prompts that HBNS offers us.
Summer is also for reading lots of books. So, early last week, I turned to some favorite lists and I reserved stacks.
- Best Books for Boys – I reserved almost the whole list that Ann listed at A Holy Experience. Plus, Eldest Boy is pulling out his favorite Red Wall series again.
- Best Books for Girls from Best Books List – another stack from the library.
- Do Hard Things Book List – Total Truth, Do Hard Things and more. Summer is for digging deep and expanding our thinking.
Some more summer fun ideas:
- Adventure Boxes – you must read about this idea from Heather, Blog She Wrote. Her article at Heart of the Matter.
- Swim Team – we do our own version of this, together as a family, most every summer day. Plus, when our school year starts back, we do some math lessons then head to the neighborhood pool. We come back, shower and finish up our school day. Ah, the joys of homeschooling!
- Family Writing Club – gather around at afternoon tea time and enjoy some fun, creative writing ideas. Love this! I’m ordering these books asap.
- Make a Vision Board – each child could do this.
- Summer Learning with all these great ideas on my In the Good Ol’ Summertime Pinterest Board.
- Afternoon tea times with recipes from Cooking Fun with Children.
Here’s a Hodgepodge collage of this week…
1. “Mama, I picked a flower for you!” Mother’s Day from my youngest. | 2. Stack the States – with a real puzzle version | 3. Our beloved, sweet kitty of 15 1/2 years. We had to put him down on Monday. Still mourning. | 4. Hosted my homeschool group of moms here at our house this week – what a great group of ladies. | 5. The fun decoration Middle Girl made for my meeting | 6. Time to get out the backyard plastic pool! | 7. Second day lilly bloom – noticing the beautiful petal edges | 8. Beautiful day!
Plus, here’s another one of those great Pinterest finds: Last Day of Kindergarten printable. I’m so glad I have this! A photo taken in the spot where she completed the majority of her Kindergarten work – at the kitchen table, with her big workbox.
- Today, Hodgepodgedad shares a list of favorite resources he turns to often. His post at Habits for a Happy Home: Resources for Moral Living. Sites, blogs and a series (love that app!)
- Next week I’m sharing a series on summer with a mention of our Camp Hodgepodge. Plus, tomorrow I’m offering a list of favorite, easy summer recipes. I hope you’ll stop back by!
Many thanks to our Friday hostesses! Linking up with…
- Camera Phone Friday hostess Dawn Camp @ My Home Sweet Home
- Weekly Wrap-Up hostess Kris at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers
- Collage Friday hostess Mary at Home Grown Learners
- and Jamerrill at Holy Spirit-Led Homeschooling, plus
- Homeschool Mother’s Journal at iHomeschool Network
So, have you pulled out the backyard plastic pool yet?
I’m checking out the family writing club – thanks
Yeah!! Congratulations for finishing up your year! It has been a great year! Your reading list for the summer looks great! That picture of your youngest with the flower is so precious! What a great Mother’s Day gift. The “Last Day of K” photo is precious, too, and such a great idea! I am sorry to hear about your kitty. They are such great companions. We will be setting up a pool in TN in a couple weeks. We usually set up our pool on my son, Sam’s birthday, May 30th.
Setting up a pool in TN?!?! You will be that much closer to me and oh I am excited. Prayers for all the details of your move, Phyllis. Thank you for your kind words.
You are so clever. I am off to look at your narrative report cards. This is something I could do to meet the GA requirements, too. For now, if they come looking I’m going to say: “go to http://www.homegrownlearners.com” ha ha!!!
I also liked Heather’s Adventure Box idea. I’m putting together one about England for summer study for Anna.
Thanks for linking, friend!
Sorry about your kitty. It sounds like a great week besides that. We are technically done with school as well.
Blessings, Dawn
What a lovely summer you will have! I’ve started planning a tentative summer list and might have to include a few of these. Thanks for sharing.
HodgePodge: Even folks that never, ever had the pleasure of your beloved kitty sneaking into your lap are so kind with words…he was extraordinary; amazingly patient with 5 children…endured being dressed up and hauled around by his neck…and he had that uncharming way of looking tenderly into your eyes and sneezing….He is missed by his whole family…
Forever,
Nana
Thank you Nana! You sure captured him perfectly. So sweet. Perfect disposition for this busy family. He was the first ‘baby’ before the other five. And he was always so gentle with busy toddlers. *sniff* He is so missed.
Oh, no! It’s so hard to lose a pet! You had him such a long time too! 🙁 Happy New School Year! We’ve started our “summer studies” too – a little math, a little spelling or phonics or typing (depending on the kid) and lots of reading and gardening. Pool? Nope! LOL My kids went swimming in March when the ice broke on the lake (and we had some odd 80s). We stick to the nearby lakes because there’s lots of them! LOL
Thank you for your kind words Jessy! Yes, we mix in a little of that too throughout the summer. Gotta keep up with math skills! oh and yes, gardening!
What a fantastic summer wish list! I’m especially in love with the family writing club idea. I’m going to try to put together something similar. Thanks for the inspiration!
Great summer ideas! I notice some familiar books in your stacks. We are just going through “I Kissed Dating Good-bye” with our almost fifteen year old son and it’s a great discussion-started. We also have a similar red Celebration plate. I think your summer sounds like it will be full of fun, learning, and growing closer as a family.
I’m sorry about your kitty. =(
We need a new plastic pool, the kids are begging. In the meantime we have water guns. =)
Water guns sound like the perfect summer fun Amber! Thanks for your sweet words about our kitty.