Summer Schooling?

Every year about this time, a phenomenon, applicable only to homeschoolers, sweeps the continents. We ask ourselves, "Should we school through the summer?"

What is "summertime schooling" anyway? Do we use this precious time to further our educational goals for our children? Do we use it to pursue interests that we don't have time for the other months of the year? Should we continue with our regular schedule....or use the time just to brush up on basics while enjoying the good things that summer brings?

As I ask these questions to other homeschoolers, I find that the answers are as different as the families. Some take a complete break, some do light schooling some days of the week and some school year round. Being that we are in our first year of homeschooling, I'm not sure of where my "happy place" is. Part of me feels that I could have done more, and should still try to attain my original goals(ie completed texts and workbooks thoroughly). On the other hand, I don't want to miss out on the joys of summer and the ability to let the children's play and interests direct our summer. This actually is the first year that I'm not thrilled it's summertime. It arrived so fast that I don't feel like we're ready yet.

I am praying for discernment. For now, I think I will just set a time block, such as two hours, and have the children put forth at least that much effort. It could be in the morning, afternoon, or evening. It really doesn't matter. Being flexible this way will hopefully allow us some summer playtime.

Kindergarten Graduation?

Some of our friends and family members are preparing for their 6 year-old's Kindergarten Graduation. I remember the cute ceremony my first two children participated in when they graduated from Kindergarten. They marched in to "Pomp and Circumstance" and wore paper graduation hats. Cute poems were recited and darling songs were performed for the parents. Of course this was an occasion to invite extended family and host a small lunch gathering.

Now we're a homeschooling family and my 3rd child is finishing his Kindergarten year. But somehow it's not the same. He finished all of his Kindergarten curriculum by last December and has now worked through all of his 1st grade books except for math (he's half way through with that). So what grade is he in now? I would love to celebrate his academic accomplishments. He loves to "do school" and works constantly in his workbooks. I want to encourage this enthusiasm. Should I create some type of graduation ceremony to invite extended family to? Or did he technically graduate from Kindergarten last December? We plan to continue schooling during the summer since he loves it so much. Do we need the kind of closure that a graduation ceremony provides or is there another idea out there?