Forgetful Momma

Secular Homeschooling in Canada

summer learning

Summer Learning, Keep It Going

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Summer slide is a real thing, but here’s the thing, I think it is more for public school kids that homeschooled kids. For me, as a homeschooler I am constantly telling my kids to go read, or finding awesome new documentaries that I know they are going to enjoy.

Summer Learning, Keep It Going

Summer Learning, Keep It Going

*This post contains affiliate links, see my disclosure policy for more information.*

I tend to point my kids towards more educational past times. The best part is the summer learning can be fun, get to the things that skipped over through the school year.

Reading Challenges

We join the library reading club each year, we’re already reading, so why not join in for some more fun. This year when I printed off some sheets to keep track of the books they are, they challenged me to keep track of the books that I am reading. Challenge accepted children.

Nature Study

I just requested a bird book from the library so we can learn a little more about the birds building nests and having babies in our trees. We have had mourning doves, and now are onto our second nest of robins. It has been a very cute learning experience for all of us.

We have a family of foxes, ducks, and muskrats as well. All the babies are all around us this spring and we are learning a lot from them and about them.

Do some of the following and keep a dairy of sorts on what they see, writing or drawing what they see:

  • Watching clouds
  • Gardening
  • Hiking
  • Bird watching
  • Looking for insects

Entrepreneur Skills

I shared in our summer bucket list that I want to spend some quality one-on-one time with each of my kids this summer and work on things with them. My oldest wants to make and sell dogs treats, and while not running my oven is my plan, we’ll be making an exception for this.

Plus I am working on few of my own ideas this summer which means we are all learning about those too.

Summer Learning ideas

Screen Time

Instead of free screen time, give them some structure with educational apps and games such as Reading Eggs or Moose Math. After a predetermined amount of time they can then switch to something else.

Science Experiments

Did you skip over science experiments this school year in hopes of just getting through the year? I know we did, but I had a plan all along. My plan was to use the summer to get them all done, and having fun while doing so. Keep the learning going so to speak.

Resources you may be interested in:

Similar posts that you may be interested in:

Taking Homeschool Outside this Spring and Summer

Summer Reading Challenge

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4 Ways to Keep Learning All Summer

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Summer weather in Saskatchewan tends to be hot and dry. It means we can count on getting outside everyday to have fun and keep learning at the same time. We like to go outside as much as possible after being stuck in the house all winter, so we enjoy everything from reading to taking our history lessons outside in the warm weather.

4 Ways to Keep Learning All Summer

4 Ways to Keep Learning All Summer

*This post contains affiliate links, see my disclosure policy for more information. *

1. Get Outside

We like to make lessons a little more fun and messy when we’re outside because I’m not as worried about clean up or spills. History this year was one of those subjects this year made me wish we didn’t live in the freezing cold. Otherwise, we could have gone outside for the messier hands-on projects that my kids love. This summer we have plans to dig site in a section of our garden. Don’t forget just how much you can learn from gardening with your kids during the summer, too.

2. Museum Trips

If you are going on a family vacation this summer check out the museums in the area. We’re heading to the East Coast of Canada and will be going to fishery museums and cannot wait! You don’t have to go anywhere new to check out museums though, just head to your local one.

No matter how many times we go, they always come away with something new. Besides new exhibits being held each new season, the children seem to take a special interested in a different display each time. But even if we do spend most of our time at their favorite human body display.

Check to see if your museums have educational materials on their website. Before you head out, you can print off scavenger hunts or other learning guides to extend the experience. This tip is especially useful for going back to a locale you’ve visited several times before. Having a goal in mind for your visit can bring renewed interest.

4 Ways to Keep Learning All Summer-science center

3. Catch Up Time

Did you run out of time during the school year on some topics? Catch up on them now. Head to the library and pick out some engaging titles your kids would like. Choose topics that you skipped during the year or topics that you know your child is crazy about.

Lay great books around the house at reading level for your child, books that might grab their attention. While they are browsing the books, they are working on their reading skills.

There are things that I left out of our homeschool lessons that we will be doing during the summer For example our Book of World History has a number of hands-on crafts that we are going to continue to learn through, similar to our hieroglyphs.

Did you do every science activity from your Science kit? Redo them. Let your kids create their own science experiments, explore and learn.

4. Reading

Reading is one of the best ways to keep your child learning this summer. Don’t try to force them to read, but have books out for them. Last summer we got our BookShark curriculum early in the summer and my oldest had read a couple of the read aloud chapter books from the History curriculum, I had simply put them on our bookshelf and didn’t limit her reading choices. That meant she started the school year a bit ahead!

The BookShark schedule is not case in stone. Letting my daughter get a bit ahead on one subject means that she’ll have time to explore her own interests more, or she can listen in when I am reading to her siblings. There is no rule that you can only read a book once.

A summer reading challenge  might also be something to try this summer. We take part in a summer reading program at our library for all school aged children. The kids are challenged to read as many books as they can during the summer and to report back each week. At the end of the summer those that have read the most get a little something special, usually a book. If you are interested in doing one on your home, I have one you may want to look at.

Similar posts that you may be interested in:

Summer Brain Gain

Summer Brain Gain

The Perfect Summer Reading List for Toddlers

The Perfect Summer Reading List for Toddlers

Summer Learning Made Easy

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Summer vacation is here for some of you, and for others it is just around the corner. Let’s prevent summer slide when young minds sit idle for a few months and make summer learning fun and easy… something they don’t notice is happening is even better!

Summer Learning Made Easy

Summer Learning Made Easy!

*This post contains affiliate links, see my disclosure policy for more information.*

Did you know: Children who do not read over the summer will lose more than two months of reading achievement. Summer learning doesn’t have to be doing actual school work, let them have fun doing different things that encourage learning and reading.

I have a number of posts that you can check out for fun and educational activities to do this summer that encourage not only summer learning but all year learning. My homeschool page as amazing resources and science experiments, and my kids activity page is full of ideas to do with your kids.

*This post contains affiliate links, for more information see my disclosure policy.*

Beginning Architecture

Mini Frank Lloyd Wrights of the world unite! This book provides the early fundamentals of structures, and home design. The sky is the limit, and this series provides a strong foundation, putting the FUN in fundamentals with a truly engaging program. Summer is a perfect time to give this comprehensive online course a try – you’ll be grabbing marshmallows for camping, anyway. Why not do s’mores after you complete a project?

Zone Cleaning

Every season is a great time to teach your little ones, but the summertime is a special opportunity to learn about cleaning! Kids often have a little more time on their hands – and do a little more outdoor activity that brings in the dirt! Zone Cleaning comes with a DVD that explains cleaning step-by-step by room using visuals, and includes a dry erase flipbook with checkboxes for each task to be completed. Kids learn from professionals, and get a sense of accomplishment when they cross off their tasks.

Tegu On-The-Go Magnetic Blocks

These are the coolest! Remember geometric blocks from your own early school days? I used to have Haba brand and they’re no longer being made. But fear not! The Tegu blocks take the concept and run with it. These handcrafted geometric blocks have a beautiful color palette and more importantly – magnets! The possibilities are endless with hands-on play-learning about magnetic fields and chemistry while creating something unique. It comes with a handy carry pouch, too – perfect for road trips and easy-to-pack-up activities when you reach your destination. A great example of summer learning without them even realizing it!

Peel, Play & Learn Solar System Wall Play Set

Summer star gazing has always been a favorite activity. With clear skies and warmer nights, kids can simply look up and discover the universe! This reusable wall decal set brings it all back to learning (and hands-on fun) – in turn making the sky a boundless source for wonder and education.

eMedia Guitar Beginner Pack for Kids

Time to face the music – but in a good way! SUMMER is coming and kids tend to want to flex their creative muscles a bit more than the rest of the year. This quarter-sized guitar is a great fit to kick-off a lifelong love of music.

Designed to keep kids engaged and learning, the comprehensive set includes software with 60 guitar sessions that use videos, songs, and specialized interactive music games. Maybe my favorite part is that you don’t need to know guitar for your learner become a rock star – instead, animated Gary the Guitar will lead the way, and guitarist and instructor (with a PhD!) demonstrates the skills your little one will learn. Music to my ears.

Summer Worksheets

Stave off summer brain drain with Teachers pay Teachers! There are tons of worksheets and activities to choose from, with age-appropriate challenges in subjects ranging from math to creative writing. How about a summertime creative writing challenge?

I hope you have found some resources to use for some summer learning.

Summer Learning, Keep It Going
Summer Learning, Keep It Going