Homeschooling 101: How can we keep learning through the summer?

June 1, 11:14 AMTampa Homeschooling ExaminerKirsten Love

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Well, at our house it is summer time. We have officially finished the school year, even though my daughter is still working on her world cultures Internet course, and everyone feels free and lazy. I am amazed at how easily we fall into the no-routine routine when it seems to take weeks to adjust when getting back into the groove of a new school year. Of course, as a homeschool parent I don’t want us to stray too far from learning, even if I need the break as much as my children do, but no one wants to put forth any monumental effort (otherwise known as actual thinking), so how do we incorporate some painless education into the long, hot days of summer?

Usually reading continues casually as each person just reads purely for pleasure and we may take a few extra field trips since we have more time available, but another easy source of information is videos. Most kids, mine included, seem to find watching TV. especially entertaining and comforting when they want to relax, so use that to your advantage. Now and then choose a nature or history video from the library and sit down with some popcorn for a fun summertime lesson.

When my kids were younger they especially liked a series called Amazing Animals. It stars an animated lizard named Henry who banters with a narrator as they explore the world of animals. There is plenty of actual information in each half-hour program and good video footage of animals, along with Henry’s comic comments and some cartoon shorts thrown in for an extra bonus. My two children found them very entertaining and checked out all that the library offered. My son even had a board game patterned after the show which we all enjoyed playing - even me, the non-game lover of the family.

The series is a Dorling Kindersley Production and was broadcast on the Disney Channel, but I’m not sure if it is still on television or not. I do know that both the Hillsborough and Pinellas County Libraries carry many of the episodes. There are numerous subjects explored, such as: rainforest animals, animal babies, poisonous animals, birds of prey, and ocean animals. Each show includes a know-it-all narrator who informs and quizzes a hapless Henry who manages to get himself into sticky situations while learning about the animal world. They are probably best suited for mid-elementary aged children, but younger and older animal lovers could also enjoy watching them.

So, don’t feel bad if you’re also kicking back a little at this time of year. We all need a break sometime. Find a good video, make a snack, and stretch out on the couch for an afternoon of summer school.