A Sauntering Summer, Part 2

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On my quest to a slower, gentler summer rhythm, I have created A Sauntering Summer, a plan that enables my semi independent and my independent learners to fly on their own. Please visit A Sauntering Summer, part 1 before continuing. 

The Chosen Paths

Even with the best intentions, some things fall through the cracks during the school year, it is inevitable. I have collected all the rabbit trails that we love to spend more time exploring but who often fall by the wayside and created a feast of ideas for my children to explore on their own. This feast of Chosen Paths, includes Scripture memory, Picture Study, Music Study, handicraft and art, Shakespeare, foreign language, Nature Study, poetry, literature, habits and personal development, outdoor time and farm jobs. I have compiled a list for my children to access resources and ideas for each topic. Usually just scanning library shelves helps a lot, either at home or at the local library. A Daily Picture Book’s booklists, past and current, are also a great source of ideas, especially in regards to artists, composers and poets, amongst others.
This list is available for you here:

Paths

Each path has been created to provide loose direction as well as resources, but really anything is acceptable. Again the main goal of this summer endeavor is to fill in some of the gaps from the year. As well as to maintain a learning rhythm in my home and for my children to self direct their studies. This is meant to be light, gentle and enjoyable, but I still need to have a way to check that things are actually being done. As we all know: trust but verify…  And I have been tricked before by being too trusting. So I always create a way to verify that the learning is actually taking place.
Here is an example of what you will find on the list:

• Literature
  Pick a book, or more, to read during break. Write a short narration OR a play based on the story and perform it with your siblings OR a dinner based on the story OR a presentation explaining why you did or did not like it. 1000 Good Books has some great audiobooks, but you could read them instead. This is a great list as well.

Point system

Again, this has to be simple to work. I have created a scale with the highest points for the paths I know will be the hardest for my children to complete, either because they don’t like the topic or because it is a more difficult endeavor. And I have assigned very little points to things that can be done quickly and that they are already doing in abundance (such as drawings). Everything is expected to follow the Notebooking presentation guidelines, of course. At the end of the summer we will be totalling the number of points each child has earned and they will receive a gift card for that amount to a favorite place (Hobby Lobby, Etsy, etc…). I usually equate 100 points to $10. It seems fair to both them and myself. I am also open to cash if there is something special that they are saving for.

Additions

I could add so many things to this list, it is pretty much endless. For this year I have added board games and historical novels, as we have been a little remiss in our history studies. You could also add geographic explorations, either through board games or books. Science labs would be a great thing to integrate at this time, especially if you can subscribe to something like the Kiwi Company Labs. I love these as they are designed for the child to work on the project without too much parental involvement. They are a wonderful tool to invest in for the summer and can cover such a wide range of ages. Right now my 11 years old has just placed 24 eggs in an incubator, this will count towards her summer project. Not only will she keep an eye on the eggs but she will be responsible for the chicks once they hatch. Life skills.

Younger kids

What about the younger ones that are not independent yet? Sometimes they are the ones that require the most energy from us. I make sure to make time for stories throughout the day. I also have coloring books and stickers books on hand that are only used for special occasions. Having age appropriate craft supplies available has also helped a lot. Even if at times it ends up being more work on the tail end (cleaning up spilled paints…). But it is also an opportunity for them to learn life skills such as cleaning up. So it is a win-win. I also make sure to involve them in my projects as much as possible. Or in one of their siblings projects. All in all they will keep learning as well, just in a different way.

Younger ones point system

They can also collect points with age appropriate renditions of the older kids system. But maybe tweak a few point counts here and there. Maybe, if they cannot read on their own, reading a picture book with Mom gets them the same points as an independent reading for the oldest. Fun little workbooks such as the Kumon First Steps Workbooks have been a fantastic resource for preschoolers and can be used as a handicraft project. You get the idea, change what needs to be changed for the younger set. Adapt to their skill levels and your comfort level, that way they have a chance to earn some money as well, lol. But I only do that if the youngers are actually able to understand what is going on for the oldests. No need to put in their minds that learning = money unnecessarily.

Other times this comes in handy

This can also help maintain learning in difficult seasons, such as sickness, moves or any other big life event. It is so very flexible to fit any family and any situation. Our imagination is the only limit, and as Einstein said: “Logic will get you from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere.” I would love it if you shared some of your ideas triggered by A Sauntering Summer in the comments.
Come saunter with us through a gentle summer of learning!
Love,
Mattie