My kids tend to move slower through their curriculum so we have always “schooled” through the summer to allow that flexibility during the year. The problem is, every year when the end of May rolls around we are all ready for a break or a change at least.

This summer, instead of continuing our usual curriculum through the summer, I have decided that our goal is just to LEARN through the summer. We still need to work on math, phonics, reading, and writing but how we approach these topics during the summer changes quite a bit.

Here are some things we are doing this year to keep it light and fun:

1. Read Aloud Revival Summer Book Club (this year is all about Fairy Tales!)
2. Online program for Math of their choice (this year they chose Adapted Mind) – I went with the their grade level from the previous year which helps them review what they have learned and fill in any gaps they have
3. Science Experiments (we picked out this mini unit on magnetism from Noeo science)
4. Reading a great adventure series that can go with us on vacations (this year we are doing The Wingfeather Saga)
5. Participating in the Summer Programming at our local library
6. Creating a summer bucket list together to ensure that everyone’s ideas for summer fun are being considered (I made this Summer Bucket List Template that you can use for ideas and to make your own) 

The Elusive Summer Schedule…

Another challenge with summer is the elusive schedule. Landing on a daily rhythm can be so difficult in the summer because every week/month tends to be different. I have found that having a loop schedule with loose goals for what I would like to get to each day and week is more achievable.

Here is an article that explains loop scheduling really well. The idea is that you pick subjects or activities that you want to get to in the week but do not necessarily have to happen every day. You get through what you can on a given day and the next day you pick up with the next subject or activity down the list. 

Daily Loop – These are my daily goals for summer days. I am aiming to do each of these once a day but if I do not finish one then I pick up where I left off the next day.

1. Read Aloud – We do more interest-led reading during the summer based on what the kids pick out from the library and what we have on our shelves. I did get this beautifully illustrated Fairy Tale book from Amazon that we are reading through this summer that we are LOVING! 
2. Play a Game – Yahtzee, Monopoly, Dragonwood, Sequence, Sleeping Queens, Memory Game, Ocean Bingo – Read this blog for an additional list of games
3. Make progress on Math through a fun computer game

Weekly Loop – I am aiming to get to each of these things at least once a week but if I do not get to it all then I pick up on the list where I left off the next week.

1. Science Experiment – we are doing the experiments that came with our mini unit on magnetism from Noeo Science this year but in the past we just work through a Science experiment book like Awesome Engineering Activities for Kids 
2. Activity from Read Aloud Book Club Guide by Sarah Mackenzie 
3. Art -Some kind of invitation to create, be creative, and get messy 
4. One on one time with each of my kids – 20 minutes of my undivided attention doing something of their choice
5. Write something that they have learned about
6. Go to the Library
7. Go to the Pool or just get in water somewhere
8. Do something from the Summer Bucket List

I made this Summer Learning Template to track when we did each thing so I can keep a general tab on what we have accomplished each day/week. If you think this is overkill and not your style then skip it! I have found that we have the most fun when there is a good structure/plan in place and we have ideas ready to go!

Our Summer Daily Routine (Although let’s be honest, no two days are alike)

-Wake Up

-Let my toddler watch a show while I get ready 

-Kids play while I make breakfast

-Breakfast served at the table – Morning Time (Read Aloud, Science Experiment, Writing, or Art -Usually I get to 2-3 of these things)

-Kids play and take turns using my computer for their Math Game

-Lunch and Snack (during one of these meals, if my kids all happen to be at the table I will bring out a Read Aloud, Game, Art, or Science Experiment if I did not get to that in the morning)

-Play or Outing to the Library or screen time is allowed for kids who have completed their requirements for the day

-Dinner

-Pool (1-3 times a week)

-Storytime before bed (this is when I read the adventure chapter book to my oldest two) Here are some adventure books that we have enjoyed in the past or have on our list for the future

I know it is always so helpful for me when I see how other people are structuring their days at home. I hope this blog post gives you some ideas for your summer days. I am definitely going for presence over accomplishment always but especially during the Summer. I hope you have many lovely days enjoying your family.

What do your summer days look like? Share in the comments below so we can all get ideas from each other.