A Sauntering Summer, Part 1

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Summer is here! What is the most common question homeschoolers ask each other at this time of year?: “Are you done for the year?” The answers vary from “just one more week” to “no, we will keep going through the summer”. Why is this question so popular? Because, most of us are tired by the time May rolls around and we hear the siren’s call to stop school.we all yearn for an opportunity to slow down. I also know how hard it is to get everyone re-started if we completely lose our learning rhythm, and I hate the “beginning of the year battles”. Is there a solution? Can we have a slower summer, maintain a learning rhythm and be able to ease up into a new school year?

A plan

Several years ago there was a new baby in our home. She arrived on a warm July night and she needed her mommy. A LOT. A lot more than her siblings had needed her. But she also had 6 older siblings that were getting very restless after a month with no rhythm nor routine. So I designed a plan. A plan that would allow all of us to thrive. A plan that would allow the older siblings to have a rhythm that did not depend on mom. One that would allow them to be independent learners and to pursue their personal interests. A plan that seemed perfect and was pretty close to being so. One that we still use every summer to this day.

It is not a perfect plan, it has to be reviewed and tweaked a little every summer to fit our needs this year. But it works. It allows my children, those who are semi independent and fully independent learners,  to maintain a rhythm of learning, but at their own pace and of their own choosing. I am available for questions and suggestions but not everything rests on my shoulders and I am able to divert my attention to other endeavors around our home. This summer announces itself very busy for me as I am working outside the home on most days for a few hours. Therefore The Plan, A Sauntering Summer, is coming into action as soon as possible.

A Sauntering Summer

To saunter is to walk slowly, without hurry, while being aware of our surroundings and the task at hand. It evokes the beauty of a nature walk, its attention to details and moving about in a quiet, unhurried way. But it also evokes excitement and wonder in the discoveries made. A perfect combination for a summer full of learning and discovery. So let’s look at what a Sauntering Summer can look like.

This is for middle schoolers who are semi independent and for high schoolers. Each day, based on ability and age, each child has to accomplish certain Minimum Daily Requirements (MDR). There are also other activities, or Chosen Paths, that are required but these come with points. Most of them are long term endeavors that will take several days or weeks. At the end of the summer, all the extra points are tabulated and turned into a gift card to a favorite place (we usually equate 100 points to $10). It is a form of bribery, yes absolutely, but no more than a  library summer reading program, lol! They should be self motivated, but let’s be honest, sometimes it’s hard for me to motivate myself and a little reward always helps.

The Minimum Daily Requirements or MDR

This is really barebone minimum, in my opinion, hence why there is no reward for them. This is something that we should all make time for daily. It establishes habits for the rest of my children’s life. 

• Reading: 30 minutes
• Writing: Write for at least 15 minutes (journal, story, tracing letters, copy poem, calligraphy)
• Math: For a lot of the math I am relying on the Chosen Paths for day to day application but if anything needs to be reinforced, this is a good time for it. We have used MindWare workbooks as well as Kumon workbooks with success.
• Physical Exercise: Minimum of 30 minutes outside in bad weather, 1 hour in good weather (and farm chores do not count towards that time)
• Project: Work at least 30 minutes on your handicraft and art project
• Chosen Paths: Spend at least 30 minutes on your chosen activityHome: Give the family 10 to 15 minutes of your time to do a chore you have not been asked to do (sweep kitchen/mudroom, start laundry, do dishes, prep a meal, etc…)

Morning Time

We maintain Morning Time through the summer but it is very basic and short: prayers, saint of the day and A Daily Picture Book. We keep a read-aloud for the evenings before bed, of course. Maintaining a simple Morning Time rhythm really helps us gently get back into a full on learning rhythm in the fall. It has been a crucial anchor to our days, whether we are on break or not. Most days, while on break, it takes us about 30 minutes. The enrichment activities of the Daily Picture Book booklist also help in finding fun rabbit trails to saunter along for that day or longer. It is a great source of inspiration.

The core of a Sauntering Summer

A shortened Morning Time and the MDR create the core of our summer, but the truly exciting part is yet to come: the Chosen Paths. This is where the fun truly begins and where my children can open their wings and fly!
Please see A Sauntering Summer, Part 2 for more details.
Love,
Mattie