Many homeschoolers do their work year round. We’ve tried schooling through the summer with a few subjects, but when September arrived and we started everything again, the children were grumpy and there was no enthusiasm. We’ve found that taking a break really works best for our family, but review is important over the summer as well. I hate to think of them forgetting much of what was learned the previous year!
There are two requirements for summer learning in our home: it must be different from our regular schooling and it must be fun! The three things that we focus on are: reading, family learning games and computer learning games.
Reading
I read to our family every night. Being read to aloud helps to build comprehension and an appreciation for great literature. I try to read many books over the summer about the historical period that we will be studying the following year.
It is also important that the children read books on their own each day. I have them choose a read aloud book that they read for 8 min per day. I also have them choose another book for reading to themselves. New readers should choose a book that they can easily read by themselves, but I have the older children (grades 3 and up) find something that is quite challenging. The idea is to keep pushing their comprehension level forward.
They read 15 min a day from this book and then they must narrate it back to me, which is simply telling it back to me in their own words. This helps me to see that they are comprehending what they are reading, but it also helps them to read actively and attentively. Besides these two books I encourage them to read whatever they want on their own.
Family Learning Games
My children love it when we play games as a family. I try to play one game each day. We made a game that reviews the facts that we learned studying human anatomy last school year. I have another series of games that teaches and reviews math concepts from addition and subtraction through simplifying and multiplying fractions. Other games that we choose from are memory games and various trivia games.
Computer Learning Games
I have downloaded a few free games that help my children review their addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts. My children’s favourite is Timez Attack. It probably isn’t for everyone as it is a full blown video game that you move to the next level by attacking the enemy with the answer to multiplication or division questions. It systematically builds confidence and knowledge of the tables up to 12 x 12 and happens to be a lot fun too. The free version comes with 2 levels that can be used again and again and does cover all of the facts. If you want more variety, you can pay for the rest of the levels. They will be releasing an addition and subtraction version of the game later this year.
We also have a very basic facts review game that simply states the fact and then you choose the answer. It can be downloaded here.
There are many, many websites that have tons of great learning games. I haven’t explored them too much because we do pay for the amount of time we are on the internet. One website that I have found and that we do enjoy though is Sheppard Software.
And now for some giveaway fun…
I have been planning to do a giveaway for a few months now and here it is! I won one recently and was so thrilled that I wanted to pass on the joy.
I will be giving away a $25 gift certificate for Amazon.com or Amazon.ca (your choice). Much of our curriculum is purchased from Amazon as their prices are quite good and I love the free shipping on orders over $25.
This giveaway is open to everyone and all you must do to enter is leave a comment on this post. Additional enteries may be obtained by:
-subscribing to my blog. And if you are already subscribed you receive two entries when you comment. (Let me know in your comment if you are a subscriber.)
-post about this giveaway on facebook. (Please mention in your comment.)
-tweet about this giveaway on twitter. (Let me know in your comment.)
-mention this giveaway on your blog. (And let me know you did in a comment!)
Each person can receive a total of 5 entries. The deadline in August 16th and the draw will be August 17th. Have fun and enjoy the rest of the summer!
Hi Rachel! I love your blog! Thank you for sharing all of your family’s adventures! I enjoyed reading about how you keep your children learning over the summer.
I subscribe to your blog and I shared your link with a comment on Facebook!
Take care! I hope we get to meet someday soon!
Sharon, I hope we get to meet soon too! Thanks for subscribing. Blessings!
~Rachel
My Mom was an elementary school teacher when I was growing up. During the summer break, she would make my siblings and I do workbooks as not to forget what we had learned in school that year. Part of our ‘chores’ included doing our workbook pages for the day. We had to finish the designated pages of each workbook (one for each subject) before we could go outside and play. At the time it made me upset because all I wanted to do was play, but looking back on it the math problems and reading assignments didn’t really take long and taught me the value of a good education.
I like that you can really pay attention to the the child’s personality and strengths. My husband and I have very different strengths and therefore were drawn to different preferences in what we liked about school and ultimately in our careers. And that is okay (we make a great pair!). Unfortunately, he is bitter about education because he is more creative, which was not well respected by teachers when we were growing up. But wow, can he cook! But you don’t get A’s for that in grammar in school. Good luck to you!
Enjoyed reading your blog!! ♥
An Amazon Giveaway! Oh my heart be still! Great giveaway Rachel 🙂
Thanks Sarah! I think it will be a lot of fun. 🙂
I subscribe to your blog!!!
I shared on Facebook!
Tweeted!
[…] and catch up on a little rest and relaxation with an awesome book in hand! Just leave a comment on this blog post to enter. Deadline is August 16th. Good […]
I really want to be able to get Jerry Savelle’s book, Prayer of Petition. It could change my life, and I don’t have an extra $20 to get it!
Good morning! A great website for computer learning is: http://www.onlineschool.ca/library/
Just click on ‘weblinks’, then the grade level you need. We use several of these games.
Another website full of games and learning is: http://www.tvokids.com/
Enjoy the rest of summer!
I love reading your blog it makes me wish that my kids were still little. You have a wonderful family! Enjoy the rest of your summer 😉
Your giveaway is now live!
How generous you are!! Thanks for the chance to enter and win. 🙂
tnshadylady at gmail.com
rss subscriber
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I love that you read to your family every night! Definitely on my list of things to do if/when I become a parent.
ffffffffffffffffffff
😀 Thanks for letting me enter for a chance to win! 😀
It’s great that you help your kids keep up their skills during the summer and make it fun! I wish computer games for math etc. were around when I was going to school. It would have made learning so much more fun!
I tweeted this giveaway~ http://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/98202771165159425
[…] Contest entry form […]
Me and my fiance just had a baby in June. I look forward to reading and interacting with her when she is older just as you described.
Amazon is a great site & I love your blog! Thanks!
Thank you for sharing your summer learning tips… I often fear what is leaving my niece and nephews brains during the summer (I’m a primary care-giver for them), so this summer, I will be taking them on field trips to various museums and centres to enhance and also engage them in a fun and alternative way of education. Thanks!
I tweeted about the contest
Tweeted!
Thanks for stopping by and encouraging a new homeschooling mom! I love your ideas for summer learning. I’ll definitely use these next summer!
That’s sweet that you read to your family every night. My mom read to me all the time and I believe that played a strong part in me learning to read at an early age.
Thanks for the opportunity!
Thank you for your post. My brothers were both home schooled at different points in their education.
Amazon giveaways are the best! Thanks for the contest!
Great giveaway, thank you!
Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/antispamgirl/status/98508032866123776
FB posted: http://www.facebook.com/kitty.cartouche/posts/127749780650532
I try to keep in touch by email and regular mail with my relatives. Some of them are computer challenged.
Thanks for the giveaway –
I’ve been slacking in the Mom dept and haven’t been reading to my kids, but with my first going off to Kindergarten, it’s time to amp up the anty…
Thanks for the giveaway!
tweeted https://twitter.com/BabeeLove/status/98620803821744128
Ooh! Great giveaway! Amazon is one of my favorite stores 🙂
I shared on FB
Tweeted
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Well, I would do ANYTHING for a free book.
Anyway, depending on other family work and schedule requirements: summer is also a good time for lots of educational field trips!
Great give away I love it!
love Amazon – I buy there constantly
Yay Amazon!
[…] Hosted by: Cherishing the Moment Ending on: 08/16/2011 [Visit this giveaway] […]
I often buy from Amazon….good buys….good prices! I enjoyed reading your blog….keep it up!!!
Wow,I love this,I want so many books from amazon and this would be perfect>Thanks for chance to win.Now I am subscribe =o)
How generous!
I wasn’t homeschooled until I was older, but my dad was pretty good at finding ways to keep us learning over the summer – woodworking projects for reading and math, and that kind of thing.
Thanks for the chance to enter and win! Great blog!!
Love Amazon! Thanks!
One thing I’ve found that helps developmental progress is teaching them other languages, including sign language. Often, if kids have multiple ways of expressing themselves they won’t feel the need to throw tantrums.
This is my first year homeschooling my son (almost 7). I am nervous but very excited at the same time. I love that I am being introduced to these awesome sites and blogs.
I would love to win this!
Please enter me!
I subscribe via email!:)
I just came across your blog on Hip Homeschool Mom’s! We get so much stuff from amazon, and yet there is still so much we would like to buy!
There are several HS books on my wishlist. Id love to be able to just order them. =)
This would be such a blessing. Thanks for the giveaway!
What a great give-away. We homeschool 3 days a week during the summer and it’s been going pretty well for us.
I could use this. I can never have too many books.
melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com
I’ve got a few things in my cart at Amazon.com
xoxoxo
tweet
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xoxoox
shared on FB
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xoxoxo
google reader subscribed to your blog
xoxoxo
love Amazon giveaway!
subscriber via email
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Hi Rachel
I am so delighted to meet you and discover your fabulous blog! Thank you for the chance also to enter your giveaway – I love to read and this would make such a wonderful birthday gift!
I am a new follower of your blog – RSS Subscriber.
Ramona
http://create-with-joy.com
P.S. I am hosting a wonderful giveaway for my followers as well so be sure to stop by and pay me a visit too! 🙂
I am now following you on Twitter and I tweeted about your giveaway – you should receive a copy of the tweet in your Mentions column for verification! Hope you’ll join me there as well!
Ramona
http://create-with-joy.com
Twitter: @createwithjoy1
I posted your giveaway on my sidebar under GREAT GIVEAWAYS at Create With Joy!
Ramona
http://create-with-joy.com
Twitter: @createwithjoy1
Thank you for the chance!
i luv what you’re doing with the reading!
always luv being read to “) audio bks in the car make the miles fly too!
thanks for the generosity of your giveaway ~
@_eHope now following and tweeted:
https://twitter.com/#!/_eHope/status/99490650386481152
Hi Rachel!
I love your blog! Thank you for sharing all of your family’s adventures!
I enjoyed reading about how you keep your children learning over the summer!
Now, thanks for the great giveaway, I also subscribe to your blog!
Thanks so much for such an awesome giveaway!
🙂
Tweeted here:
http://twitter.com/#!/Becsun/status/99523215969370114
Thanks for the extra entry!
🙂
Follow you on blogger. Thanks for the extra entry!
🙂
Commented about the giveaway in my Facebook status. Thank you again! 🙂
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1329882587
Hey I just signed up, facebooked and tweeted you. Thanks for sharing what your family does during the summer.
I WANT THIS SOOO BAD!!
I love Amazon!
Please include me in the giveaway :).
jennifer at quiverfullfamily dot com
Always have a list at Amazon. Great giveaway. Hope to win. 😉
Thanks for sharing the information and encouragement.
That would be awesome to win, thanks!
I love your blog. I buy a lot of supplies for my children on Amazon too. Thanks!
Email subscriber.
Awesome giveaway!!! I LOVE Amazon!!! 🙂
SarahRose_914@yahoo.com
It’s great when we can encourage young children to actively think critically, learn, and expand.
Thanks for the chance to be included for your giveaway.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
This is my first time reading your blog, and you have some great ideas! Like someone else commented, I wish my kids were still little so I could use some of the learning ideas. Great blog!
I enjoyed reading your blog about changing up learning for the summer
yay! what a great giveaway! 🙂 I think I would buy all the books that go with our new Mystery of History! :0)
Entry #1
shared this link on my facebook page! 🙂
Entry #2
Subscribed to your blog! 🙂
Entry #3.
crossing fingers and toes! lol
awesome. Thanks for the giveaway almostcrazycouponladyatgmaildotcom
great! I’d love to win, thanks!
Stumbled across your blog. Some great reading. Inspires me to homeschool as I think of options for my kids. Oh- and with 25 dollars from Amazon, I too would probably buy books- so I subscribed to your blog.
subscribed
Came here from AR, we also LOVE good books, in fact I am thinking of just buying good books on amazon for the kiddos instead of going to the local library where books are OK. thanks, jane
I signed of for your newsletter, I was searching your blog and already know I’m gonna like it!
We are just getting started HS’ing with my older two (5.5 and 4) and I’ve been contemplating whether to school year round or take a big summer break. Thank you for sharing what your family does and how you review in the summer!
And, am now subscribed to your blog! Can’t wait to read upcoming entries!
hoping for the amazon.com 25.00 giveaway card
I’m a new follower of your blog and love to shop at Amazon when I can. Thanks for the opportunity to win. I also love the title of your blog. It’s easy to forget to cherish the moments but it’s also easy to realize that too much time went by *without* cherishing them so I try to remember every day. Thanks!
I’m a new subscriber to your blog’s RSS feed in a reader.
Posted on FB: http://www.facebook.com/tehbreeze/posts/151190431627843
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/itsinthebreeze/status/99948743482281984
Thanks for the giveaway! I’d love to win something like that!
I need socks…BAD!
I have a couple of birthday parties coming up and this would be so helpful.
nhmummab@comcast.net
I subscribe to your blog. misstiffler@gmail.com
Shared on facebook:
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misstiffler@gmail.com
Shared on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/t_windham/status/100097490505830400
misstiffler@gmail.com
Great blog!
I posted on my Facebook page.
I am a subscriber to your blog.
I have my own wishlist on Amazon…they do often have good prices. It’s fun to stumble on a new-to-me homeschool blog. I have been needing extra inspiration this year! Thanks!
Thank you – love Amazon!
barbara dot montyj at gmail dot com
Tweet @JalapenoMama
http://twitter.com/#!/JalapenoMama/status/100304032488361985
Yay, I love Amazon! Thanks for the opportunity. 😉
My toddler is growing out of her baby board books. This certificate would be great to get her some new books.
I shared your giveaway on Facebook.
I shared your giveaway on Twitter.
I love that many corporations help out with back to school by giveaways and sweepstakes!!
Thanks for the chance!
Wow, thanks for this! Who doesn’t love Amazon?! Plus, I’m trying to get as much of my holiday shopping for this year done as early as possible, so a GC to Amazon would help out in a huge way!
Thanks again!
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
Thanks for doing this–count me in!
Thanks for running this contest. One of our fave family learning games is called Ubango. It’s popular enough that there are several versions of it now, but the original two player/team version is pretty fun to start with (can be difficult to find in stores, but is easy enough to order on Amazon).
I subscribed to your blog as well.
I would love to win this gift card
oh, i’d love to win! amazon has such great stuff; i love how i can find just about anything on there. plus i love the used-books section! thanks 🙂
Thank you! I love Amazon!
I love Vision Forum. I was able to hear Doug Phillips talk about this adventure he and his falmiy, plus others undertook at least year’s Home School Convention in San Antonio. I want to win! 😉
Yay for Amazon. My absolute favorite. 🙂
what a wonderful giveaway! Thanks for the chance and I’m glad I stumbled upon your blog
I am glad we got to ‘meet’ in cyberspace. I am enjoying your blog. And I subscribed as well! Blessings!
I hope to win
today’s tweet “))
https://twitter.com/#!/_eHope/status/101319521452826625
Amazon is so great as you can get so many different things in one place (from videogames to diapers to novels)!
Thanks for the blog and giveaway!
How fun! Thanks for the chance. 🙂
Thanks so much for the chance to win. I’m an email subscriber 🙂
I posted this giveaway on Facebook and Twitter 🙂
Thanks again for the chance to win!
Thank you for this fantastic giveaway!!!
jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net
I subscribe via RSS
jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net
I shared on Facebook
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Tweeted:
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jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net
We tried the “very flexible” school through summer. We had tons of breaks, review and field trips. I agree with making it fun but continuing with reading. This is our first summer to experiment and it has worked for us.
I LOVE Amazon! And we read aloud, too. I think it is good together time!
Amazon is the best
Emphasizing reading is so very important!
I am an email subscriber.
I subscribe to your blog 🙂
sweetpea101506 (at) aol (dot) com
I posted about the giveaway on Facebook
sweetpea101506 (at) aol (dot) com
I tweeted about this giveaway
sweetpea101506 (at) aol (dot) com
I blogged about your giveaway: http://tried-and-true-from-me-to-you.blogspot.com/2011/08/25-amazon-gift-card-giveaway-on.html
sweetpea101506 (at) aol (dot) com
Ohh, I so hope you pick me for the prize. I could realllllllly use the gift card….. Thanks so much for offering…. I am enjoying your blog.
Shared your link and a comment about the giveaway on FB, and subscribed to your blog. I am new to your blog, here from Hip Homeschool Moms!
Love your blog need money for school things. hope you pick me!!
Thank you for the opportunity to win! 🙂
I would love to win this — thanks for the chance to win.
Hope to win
Thank you for the chance! I would love to win it so I can get more books 🙂
I subscribed via e-mail, and posted the link on both Facebook and Twitter 😀
Congratulations Lauraine, you won the giveaway! I will contact you by email 🙂
~Rachel
🙂 !!! Thank you so much!
Thanks for such a great giveaway!
hendymartin1 at yahoo dot com
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hendymartin1 at yahoo dot com
Shared on FB as Hendy Martin
hendymartin1 at yahoo dot com
I’d love a chance to get an Amazon gift card as I do most of my gift buying through there as much as possible!! Baby boy needs a few more books for bedtime stories!!
tweeted about the giveaway! http://twitter.com/#!/walkwithme/status/102534360711954432
great point that it’s a good idea to take a break and do some learning activities that are fun!
I would love to win this, thanks!
shannonsweep at gmail dot com
Thank you for the giveaway.
❤ ❤ ❤ love peace and happiness/ i would be shock and amazed if i could win something this. i would love to give this card to someone in my family. i enjoy giving gifts to other people. i love to seeing their face when it lights up with joy. please pick me. i truly will appreciated from the bottom of my heart thanks million 🙂 🙂 🙂
Hoping to win??? Thanks for the chance!
I really hope to win this =]
Amazon rocks! I’d love to win. I’ve enjoyed your blog, especially the Homeschooling section. I don’t do it, but I’d like to.
I subscribe to your newsletter via e-mail.
I posted this on FB (Carolsue Anderson)
http://www.facebook.com/#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=249788915043986&id=100001415112057
I tweeted
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Love Amazon, thanks for the chance!
henglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
I’m an email subscriber
henglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
Shared on FB (Huguette En)
tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/henglish/status/103065493354708992
Nice giveaway!
Great giveaway! THANKS!!
Great blog! Love it! Would be awesome to win. Amazon is the best. Thanks! 🙂 – Sue
This is the first time I’ve visited this blog and i love it!
I use Amazon for my HS needs, too – they have everything! Such a great variety! Thanks for the giveaway!
e-mail: lucky02130 (at) gmail (dot) com
Thanks for the giveaway!
I love Amazon, I use it all the time, especially when ordering textbooks for school 🙂
I make sure that I take the time to read to my kids every night
Thanks for the opportunity!
I’ve just started homeschooling and I just discovered your blog. I love Amazon!
I’m becoming an amazon addict!
http://twitter.com/#!/giveawayjunkie/status/103577477338763264
Looooooooove Amazon!!!
Thanks for the giveaway! This is amazing! I am a subscriber….
Do you notify the winner? I don’t see it posted anywhere.
I did notify the winner. It was Lauraine. I replied to her comment up above, but I should have commented down here where it could easily be seen by everyone. Sorry for the confusion. I’m new to this! 🙂