Summer "homeschool"

[Erudite]

I think it is hilarious, but I don't want to discourage it, that my children WANT to do "homeschool" activities over the summer. They WANT the math workbook and the grammar workbook. But really, they want to do the science labs that we do every summer. So I'm looking for good ideas that are actually "school" ideas...where there is some intended learning to go on.

Does anyone have some fun, educational activities to share?

[5ft Diva]

DS#1 just made homeade ice cream out of a zip loc bag for one of his school assignments. It can cover math and science because of the measurements and chemical reactions.

[bookworm]

Ooh, that's a good one, Diva- my 11-yo did that at school last month and loved it.

I think learning gardening is a great educational skill, although, maybe not a school-type one. My kids are all being forced into slavery (just ask them) by helping with the yard and garden this year. My third DS is loving it, though- he has this cabbage that he got at school (or was it church?) and it's huge- he weeds around it and makes sure it gets watered- it's the cutest thing. I can't wait for him to be able to pick that first head! He plans to feed it to the bunny, but I'm also thinking egg rolls- he loves those and he could learn to make them!

I'm going to take the family to "This is the Place Heritage State Park" probably this week, if DH is up to it- I went on a field trip with one son's class there, but it rained and snowed and hailed and we didn't get to see very many things, so we want to go back. If the boys wear scout uniforms they get a discount on admission (and cubs can earn a badge), and I think it's definitely a great place for some history lessons.

Speaking of places to visit- the State Capitol is open again, and there are sure to be some government-type lessons to be learned there. My kids always ask me about the Salt Lake City and County building (that gothic-ish castle in downtown SLC) and I've never been inside it- maybe there's a tour there, too? We could learn a little about our great state!

[Erudite]

Great ideas, BW! I'll add them to my field trip list.

There is/was a tour at that lovely building. DH and I went there about 12 years ago and took a tour. They took us up on a catwalk of the roof and all the way down to the basement to see the earthquake er..thingys. It was so neat. I love old buildings like that. I think we were there on a Saturday so there was no business going on.

[Erudite]

Oh and gardening is definitely educational! One daughter has her own flower bed and I teach the others about gardening whenever I get the chance. Good stuff!

[Dia Minha]

Mine of course have silent reading for at least 20 minutes. Usually they do more. I read to them, for at least 20 minutes, again usually more. My two oldest play games with their multiplication tables. They do flashcards, the dice game, and DH just downloaded an action game that my 8 year old loves to play. They also do vocab and spelling by doing Madlibs. They get a letter each day and have to look new words up in the dictionary to fill in the blanks. They think they are playing a game, but learning so much. I'm trying to make this summer all about having fun. Of course there is work to be done, but it is always easier to get them to do it, if I can come up with some fun way to do it.

[Big_Sissy]

Nothing to add, other than to congratulate you all for being excellent mothers. It's not easy, but you sure make it look that way. Keep up the good work.

[5ft Diva]

You wouldn't have been thinking it looked too easy if you'd gone to the library w/ us today, BS. The trip was a bit theatrical. Gotta love kids who HAVE to go to the library and check out books for the summer. Our 12 year old has officially arrived...

[Big_Sissy]

Well, you are still trying -- Just because you try doesn't mean you will succeed, but it does mean you are a good mom. You are super good!!!

[5ft Diva]

Thanks, BS!

FYI, I don't count today's trip as a failure, just comical.

[Big_Sissy]

That was not the feeling I got Though I'm glad you see it differently.