Our Relaxed Homeschool Summer Learning Plans
Summer is all about relaxing, but it’s also a time for learning. We school year round, but that doesn’t mean we don’t enjoy our summers too. During this time of year, lessons are a bit less structured and more relaxed here at The Waldock Way.
If you have questions about how to schedule summer learning, check out our daily schedule below. If you’re interested in the cool Summer resources we use to keep learning and keep our sanity all summer long, you’ll definitely want to check my Summer learning resources list.
Plus, this summer we’re doing a new survival school unit that’s going to be all kinds of fun. Keep reading to learn more about our “you vs. wild” learning plan for Summer.
Our Homeschool Summer Learning Plan Schedule
So what does a typical Summer learning homeschool day look like at our house? First, we go outside. Beginning the day with time outdoors has all kinds of amazing benefits.
Sunshine first thing in the morning helps activate important parts of your brain that make you feel calmer, more relaxed, and help you sleep better at night too. Besides, it’s better to go play outside before it gets too hot later in the day. We do live in Florida and the days can be blistering hot.
If the weather has gotten too hot we come back indoors around lunchtime. For us, this is a great time to watch an educational TV show or documentary. If the weather hasn’t gotten too hot we will listen to a podcast while we eat our lunch outdoors.
Then, it’s time for table time. If the weather permits we try to enjoy this time outdoors at the picnic table. We usually do activities that involve writing during our table time. Whatever parts of our Summer curriculum work best at the table will be done during table time. This means our Summer Brainquest pages and the written portions of the Survival Unit Study.
Finally, we end the Summer school day with something fun. Watching a movie together as a family, unpacking and enjoying a subscription box, or playing one of our many favorite games together.
Sometime during our day we almost always end up in playing and floating in pool too. You can see what a day of our relaxed homeschool summer learning looks like in this Summer Homeschool Day in The Life video.
Our Choices For Summer Learning Resources
There are all kinds of fun learning resources to use with your homeschoolers this Summer! Some of the best sneaky summer learning opportunities in my opinion are reading good books and playing fun games.
What We Are Using for Summer Learning:
Books made into movies are also perfect for Summer learning and one of the things we do each and every year.
Some of Our Favorite Book & Movie Combos:
- The BFG
- The Witches
- Wonder
- The Wizard of Oz
- Matilda
- The Chronicles of Narnia
- James and The Giant Peach
- Harry Potter
Want more awesome books turned into movies you can enjoy with your family? Check out my list of 50 Awesome Book & Movie Combinations.
Why Our Homeschool Is More Relaxed In The Summer
There are some huge benefits to doing a more relaxed homeschool schedule for Summer. For starters, keeping to a schedule provides consistency and helps kids to know what’s coming next. Even a loose schedule can help prevent uncertainty and provide comfort for your kids.
Summer learning is also a really important way to teach kids that learning happens every day. Even when we are enjoying all kinds of fun Summer activities like going to the pool, going on vacation, and visiting family. Teaching our kids that learning is something that happens everywhere, every day is a valuable lesson.
Another big benefit to homeschooling through Summer is that you prevent Summer learning loss. Keeping up with activities like the Brainquest workbooks and our interest-led unit studies helps our daughter retain and build on all the things we have been learning throughout the year. Our relaxed approach ensures that we all leave Summer feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready for a brand new academic year after Summer learning.
A Unit Study Perfect for Summer Learning
Are you looking for a fun unit study that’s perfect for Summer learning in your homeschool this year? Then you should definitely check out our Survival Unit Study. Summer is a great time of year to build survival skills.
Our survival unit study is based on an exciting book series from Bear Grylls and his award-winning TV series. It’s filled with YouTube playlists, activity sheets, daily lesson plans, game suggestions, and knot tying practice too.
Plus, this survival unit study is family inclusive. With educational videos and hands-on activities for the whole family to participate and learn all about survival together this Summer. If you’re planning a camping trip or hiking adventure this Summer, you definitely don’t want to miss out on some of the exciting activities in this study.
How will you be encouraging your kids to keep learning this Summer? What are your favorite Summer learning plan resources to use at home? Share your tips and favorite resources in the comment section. I can’t wait to read about them and try some here in our homeschool too.