My daughters received a one year subscription to Smartick at no cost. 

The sun is shining more.  The days are longer.  Fun is in the air. With more sunshine and fun activities going on all around us, I have found that teaching my girls in the summer tends to look different than the rest of the year.  We don't stop learning simply because it's hot outside instead we school year-round.  We made this decision quite a few years ago when we all recognized the benefit of continuing to focus on learning even when school is supposed to be out.

How do I teach my daughters in the summer?

Our summer learning activities are not the same as our regular school year activities.  A change of pace and resources does happen.  Learning in the summer isn't about finishing a curriculum for us because this could easily cause my daughters and me burnout instead we use different resources and focus on projects that are interesting to the them.  

What do my daughters study in the summer?

They study math.

Math is the one "school" subject that we continue working on the summer that many people tend to take a break from.  My daughters continue to work on math because: 

They continue reading.

Summer reading programs have been a staple in our home since my girls were old enough to participate. Participating in the various summer reading programs are a easy way for my daughters to keep up with their reading.  I don't tell them what to read, and this is actually true during the school year too.  I believe that giving them the room to choose the books they want to read keeps reading enjoyable versus dreadful.  

They work on whatever that is interesting to them.

Learning in the summer doesn't have to be drawn out.  It can happen by doing what comes natural to your children and what flows easiest in your home.  I am intentional about working on some subjects like math, but for the most part I encourage my daughters to take this season to explore without limit. 

What does summer learning look like in your home?