A couple weeks ago my daughter told me she wanted to be home schooled (long story). I talked to her about how it might not be the right choice for her. Her reply was, “But Mom, last year we did summer school homeschooling!” Yesssssssssss. After all that work that I put into trying to avoid summer blues, she did really enjoy it. Here’s what we did and will do this summer too:
Each week we chose a theme. We had everything from sports to art and then US History and geography. I let my two youngest kids alternate picking the theme. I would print worksheets out according to their age/skill level- I used Enchanted Learning most often for the worksheets. We always had some kind of math, some reading, some writing. I also gave my daughter a topic to write in her journal. And I gave her writing prompts. I’m so glad I did- I love reading what she wrote.
I bought a 3 stack organizer (since I have 3 kids) and wrote each of their names on a drawer. Their worksheets, books, journals were all kept there so they were ready to go when it was time to work on the next theme. This system worked out really well.
This year I decided I wanted something visual to go along with it. So I made this:
From this picture, it’s hard to tell how big it is, but it’s pretty big. Here’s what you need:
1 inexpensive clip Ikea frame- 16x20ish size
4 sheets of scrapbook paper
2 white sheets of paper
glue stick
picture of your child (mine is 8×10)
vinyl stickers (I have a vinyl cutter so I used that, BUT you could just use scrapbook stickers)
ruler
dry erase marker
Print an 8×10 picture of your child(ren).
Position 4 scrapbook sheets and glue to frame sheet (I just glued mine to the Ikea paper)
Depending on how many sections you want, cut white sheets to cover some of the scrapbook paper- otherwise it’d be too hard to read writing on the frame.
Glue picture on scrapbook paper as well.
Put frame back together.
Using a ruler, position stickers on top of the frame.
Using a dry erase marker, fill in each section at the beginning of each week.
You can check them off or cross each thing off as you complete them. Then erase and start over.
I’m making 3 for my 3 kids- they are at all different levels and I have to adapt each category for them. But you could make one for all your kids if they will all be working on the same things.
From here on out, Funner in the Summer will be featuring all kinds of amazing bloggers- let the fun begin!!
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That is such a fun idea! My kids love having something they can look at and read to see what's happening.
Great idea! If you need some writing ideas I have these in my etsy shop! I also have one for older kids and even one for adults! The adult one helps you to write your life story! You could "work" right along side your kids! :)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/34870886/primary-prompts-in-a-pail
love all of your ideas!! what kind of vinyl cutter do you own?
I love this idea Mique, you're such a good Mom! I think I need to get my act together.
Wahoo!! Love the idea of weekly summer themes that has work along with them. And love the fun boards you made.
Love it! I'm stealing that idea.
Brilliant! I am totally stealing your idea! My pre-schooler and almost 2nd grader will LOVE this!
Love this idea! Actually I love it so much that we're doing it as well, but I'm having a hard time with themes. Do you just let your children choose the theme or do you give them ideas that they can choose from? And what other sites do you use to get worksheets (for math, geography, etc)? Thank you! I love your site!!!
I love this! What a great idea! I don't have kids yet but since I really love school and learning, this would be so great to do with the kiddies one day!!
I am not a homeschool mom, but we do a "Power Hour" each morning in the summer. It's covering the basics of what they learned during the school year (retention is the key!) I usually offer a reward of some kind if they do well.