Three Ways To Learn Over The Summer

We are officially in summer mode!

Our state requires end of the year evaluations. Both Kyle and Sarah did great and we're looking forward to 7th grade and 10th grade respectively!

Just because we are done with 'book' learning, doesn't mean that learning gets put on hold over the summer! This is a great time of year to do things that are educational and yet the kids are just having fun, so they don't think they are 'doing school,' if you know what I mean.

Here are three ways to learn over the summer.

1. Get Outdoors! Find a local park with a hiking trail, visit a National Seashore, hang out in your back yard. All these places provide cool opportunities to find bugs, birds, and other creatures. They also provide plants, trees and rocks. All of these things will teach your kids simple classification of animals and plants, what kinds of birds are native to your area, what dew looks like on a garden spiders' web.

We like the Pocket Naturalist Guides. They are waterproof and easy to take along in your pocket! (smile)

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2. Visit a historical site.

Living in Pennsylvania I feel spoiled at how much history of the nation is within a short driving distance. But even if you live in Alaska, you have history of your amazing state all around you. Check out your state capitol, visit a battlefield, tour a presidents' childhood home. These kinds of trips are fun and make history come alive.

3. Read! Take time in your summer days to read aloud to your kids. Read a series like The Green Ember series, The Chronicles of Narnia, Little House on the Prairie.

Make it an anticipated part of every day by enjoying a special treat during that time, too.

A key to making learning fun in the summer, and year round, Mama's is your own excitement about it!

Let me know what you think about this post and please share your own ideas of summer learning that you do!

I'm off now to celebrate being 'officially' done with this school year!

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