Although we are not a year-round school family, we have been doing about two hours of school each day this summer with my older two. It's providing review and reinforcement, as well as some structure for each day. Additionally, the kids appreciate the freedom of rest of the day after doing 2 hours of school—I've heard much fewer "I'm bored"s. We begin with our Bible study—from Grapevine Studies (review coming soon). Then its on to memory work using Veritas Press History/Bible flashcards, Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization (IEW), and a US map for states and bodies of water. The little ones listen in to all of this, and chime in often when they recognize a phrase or name. Then the older two are working through their own list of ABCs of American History. Using the Veritas History Cards, they each chose 26 events or people in American history, one for each letter of the alphabet. Nate the Great has to do a paragraph for each, taking notes from the history card ( and his own memory). Mags is simply copying one sentence from each card on her topic. They don't have to do them in order. Mags is also going to either draw or color a picture related to her sentence and put them together.
I will be the first to admit that I am not a very fun mom. While talking to a friend this weekend, I admitted that I've never enjoyed getting down on the floor and playing pretend with cars, toy animals or Little People; I'd much rather read aloud. (My oldest loves to pretend and usually organizes the others in their pretend play. I'm eternally grateful for my "activities director.") However, occasionally the fun muse strikes and I follow through on the inspiration. I recently picked up several packs of flashcards at Target's Dollar Spot, thanks to a heads up from Tristan at Our Busy Homeschool. While organizing the new purchases, I rediscovered flash cards I already owned and decided to incorporate some into our summer studies. My little ones, while they were playing quietly during the school time, were obviously feeling a little left out. So, pulling out the phonics flashcards, I laid out the five short vowel cards like stepping stones. For each of them, we stepped on the card and said the sound. Then I took the first few consonants and we did the same thing. Next, I mixed the two sets together and laid them out in rows. As I called out a sound, they had to step on the letter, taking turns. Kate the Great is doing really well, and I'm planning to add a sound a day as long as they are easy for her. Benji-boy still needs it pointed out which is which, but he is still learning. We also did this with a pack of shapes and colors flashcards. As soon as they olders finished their history writing, they wanted to do some too. So I pulled out the addition facts and Mags stepped on the problems as I called out the sums. I'm still looking for my multiplication and division ones so Nate the Great can practice those before fall. It may not be playing pretend, but it did produce laughter and a joyful spirit during school.
A joyful heart is good medicine…
