Homeschool Inspiration:

Summer Fun/Fulfillment I

Set Goals

These words provide homeschool inspiration for a summer well-spent.

Everyone anticipates these three months of the year! A slower pace, less pressure, time for family games and puzzles, interesting day jaunts and perhaps even long-distance travel await. But vacation doesn't mean lack of direction, slouching in front of the TV and becoming a slug.

The key to a memorable, rewarding summer is a little (not a lot of) planning. This is step I--think, discuss, decide on the goals. Write them down.

Then move to step II.

The first week, take the time off. Slug or no--everyone needs an opportunity to decompress, especially Mom! Besides, this gives you a chance to catch your breath and map out ideas for the coming three months.

Steps of Homeschool Inspiration:

• What does your family want from the time off? What do you want? Ask each child to write his ideas. These may include going to an amusement park or other intriguing spot, learning a new skill, reading, or playing ball. Within reason, anything goes.

• Now what do you hope for each child over summer break? Think about his growth and needs--spiritual, social/emotional, intellectual and physical. Also consider his duties (job, chores).

  (All this examining may appear excessive, but it's not really. Summer offers a golden opportunity to weave personal development into fun activities. Take advantage of the extra time.)

• Parents, grab a pencil and papers or use your computer. For each heading-- spiritual, social/emotional, intellectual, physical--jot down ideas for each child. What do you expect to enjoy with the family? It is wonderful to take your time and wait for inspiration. Relish this choosing, designing, dreaming.

• Then draw up a master list, a guideline.

  Try to keep it balanced and realistic. The idea of this is help your child(ren) grow in a well-rounded way yet still savor the leisurely, relaxing atmosphere of summer.

The following example might be helpful; they are our lists from one year:

child #1--local gardens
planetarium
toy museum
candle making
local museum

child #2
go to amusement park
go horseback riding
go to Silver Dollar City

child #3
read
go fishing
go camping
go to St. Louis
go to Animal Kingdom
go to basketball camp

Now it's time to tie it all together--write and post the goals. The children's hopes guide the "homeschool inspiration" for the master list:

Spiritual

daily prayer together
read a spiritual book aloud together
remind child to make time throughout day for prayer
volunteer at nursing home
focus on virtue of charity--save change in common can, wrap the coins and give to poor, compliment other family members when appropriate, use manners, be polite

Social/Emotional

Silver Dollar City
amusement park
fishing
local gardens
major league baseball game
museum
zoo
have friends over at least once a week
family game several nights a week
water park
picnic

Intellectual

read daily individually
read daily as a family
weekly library trip
participate in the library reading program
scientific experiment weekly
weekly music lessons
art project once a week
keep a puzzle going on dining room table
attend several outdoor theater plays
attend one free symphony concert

Physical

daily swim team practice
baseball

Duties/Responsibilities

do chores daily
mow lawn weekly
take care of dog (feed, play, brush)

Notice that some of these ideas are already part of life. For example, your family is probably now participating in music lessons, daily prayer, reading and so forth.

Be on the look out for (or coordinate) co-op and city activities.

If one activity is scheduled per day, this still leaves plenty of free time for everyone. Please remember, the projects you assemble are only suggestions. There is always next year and the year after...plenty of opportunities to practice homeschool inspiration!

Use these thoughts of homeschool inspiration as a springboard for your ideas. An overall plan will allow for a real "vacation with dignity." It paves the way for all to enjoy life and live summer to the fullest. Refreshed, all are eager to resume studies with vim and vigor. To make the most of summer, please see below:

Summer Fun/Fulfillment II--Plan

Summer Fun/Fulfillment III--Track Activities

Children's Games

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