Summer School??

This is the time of year I am often asked this question,

"Are you going to school throughout the summer?"

And, considering that we are learning all the time whether we're officially "in school" or not I always try and answer this one gently and without too much sarcasm :)

I love these end of chapter questions from Karen Andreola's A Charlotte Mason Companion, this from her section on narration (Ch 15, Tips on Narration): If you don't like the idea of "calling it quits" entirely during the summer, narration from whole books can leisurely supply any bored child with new ideas on long summer days. How could you keep it casual and informal, paying heed to any spontaneous narrations? Can you think of any fun books you'd like to introduce to the children this summer?

Uh, yeah, I think so!!! So, in answer to that question; for ourselves, we will indeed continue learning throughout our summer days, but definately in a much more leisurely fashion. We will purposefully engage in alot more nature study including walks, days at the seashore, visits to farm stands and Saturday markets, ferry rides, days at the lake, more visits with family and especially grandparents. We will talk about all these events in narration style which  in reality it will be in the form of retellings of our days, drawings, photographs, writings, including stories from the children in no particular order.

One of the best things about beginning narration with children from about age 6 and up, it helps to gently prepare them for the writing process, which is really just narrating on paper! Composition is the term Charlotte Mason calls written narration. This happens at around age 10, or sooner if the child is ready. If you have boys, this might be a little later (as is the case with mine) due to physical writing tends to be a tad more difficult. The ideas are all there, but sometimes getting them all down on the paper is tricky, so we do a little with him writing, then I may finish the writing as he dictates.

A good fine motor preparation is having them copy their own narrations they have dictated to you and then it becomes their written work after it has been carefully copied over. As it was their words all along, this is a lovely confidence booster as well and fits beautifully with Charlotte's motto of "I am, I can, I ought, I will" for the children.

What are you doing for Summer School?? If you are able to share I'll compile all your ideas into another post for others to ruminate and ponder!

Many blessings in your day, and as always, thanks for visiting.

Comments

[Kelly]

My children came up with this one: over the summer, they each want to research and compile a lapbook on a subject of their choosing. I've offered to facilitate by helping them gather books, choose websites, etc. When they're done, they want to present their lapbooks/research to the family!

[Sarah N.]

I also find the idea of suspending learning over the summer humorous. I couldn't stop my girls from learning if I tried and I'm glad for that :) We will continue to do reading and math at least 3 days/week. My 5yo has been very interested in experimenting with new art materials so we will spend some time trying different techniques with oil pastels, chalk pastels, acrylic paint, water colors, and other materials. Otherwise, our learning will mostly involve nature walks, playing outside and following an areas of interest that crop up.

[regan]

can i come to your "summer school"? it sounds like great fun!!! :)
we'll be doing some learning over the summer to, but probably nothing like what you've got planned!

[Sarah]

Even though I don't homeschool, I am looking for ideas for my kids to keep their minds engaged and (hopefully) prevent boredom. Thanks for the idea of narrating stories. This could work with my 6 year old. At least it's worth a try! If you receive any other ideas from folks, I'd enjoy that compiled list very much!

[Amy Caroline]

I can't help but think there is no better time for learning than summer! There is so much to see and do. Like you said, summer is perfect for nature study.

[nina]

I have to agree with Amy, summer is the best time for learning. It seems that living is so much easier when it is warm and sunny. We are setting aside time to do math most days as well as science. And of course we are reading. I wish I had a better understanding of narration. Recently Cate came from her room with a little book (paper stapled together) she had illustrated and written about a book we had read. I suppose that is narration. ?

I am still uncertain about sending Cate to school this Fall. I am back to considering homeschooling her and we are trying to do a trail run this summer.