Summer School

One of the beauties of homeschooling is we can schedule school when we want to, and take breaks throughout the year. We took the whole month of December off from school, and a few weeks in the fall, and a few weeks in the spring, not to mention the fact that we've done 4 day weeks through the whole year (Fridays were field trip days, library days, park days, home ec days (aka- clean the house!) etc.) So while the public school kids will be getting out of school next week, we'll continue on for the month of June.

But- a friend on a message board posted about how she had her kids do their own unit study- and present it each year. I think she chose the month of March. I liked the idea so well, the kids are doing their own studies through the month of June. A few weeks ago I asked them to be thinking about what they'd like to study. Yesterday I sat down with the boys and hashed out their plans. Doodle has decided to study Motorcycles. And Bug is going to do a study on the book Fablehaven by Brandon Mull. I think June will be a fun month. Both boys will continue Math. Doodle has finished his math book- but will work on math on the Learning Palette or just play simple math games. Bug will finish his math book, and do a few other math type things.

So here's Doodle's study plans- He told me what he wanted to learn about motorcycles, and we broke it down into what he would do each day. (We still have Friday's off)
Christian’s Motorcycle Study


June 2
History-
Compare old motorcycles to new motorcycles
June 3
Math- find out costs of different motorcycles
June 4
Scripture story

June 5
Motorcycle Art
June 9
Social Studies-
Motorcycle safety laws
June 10
Language arts- New words you learn

June 11
Science- How they work- shifting
June 12
Science- diagram of parts
June 16
Geography- Map of motorcycle route
June 17
Motorcycle Art
June 18
Cooking- plan menu and the cost.

June 23
Social studies- Motorcycle groups- watch Wild Hogs
June 24
Final report-
June 25
Plan field trip idea
Give Report- Tell all about Motorcycles!


Micah planned his month a little differently- he made a list of the projects and assignments and will complete 1 each day and check them off.


Micah’s Fablehaven Study

History
_______Study Greek Myths, draw a picture of my favorite Greek Myth with my summary of the story. Include 8 mythical creatures on your definition page.


Geography
_______Design my own Preserve
_______Map, Flag and 5 cool things about Connecticut

Science
______Study Solstice, moon phases and seasons. Make a matching game. Include the moon phases, seasons and solstice on definition page.
______Study Walrus, Habitat, diet, size, enemies, and other cool things. Include a picture of a walrus with body parts labeled.

Scripture
______Find 2 scripture stories that go along with Fablehaven, read them, write about them.

Language Arts
_____Write book about Magical Preserve
_____Answer discussion questions in back of book
_____Mini-book about Author
_____Memorize 2 Shel Silverstein poems and write them in your neatest cursive and include in your presentation.
_____Write Topic Page, Resource Page and Definition page.

Arts and Crafts
_____Make a Model of Hugo and Mendigo

Cooking
_____Plan a Fablehaven meal, with complete grocery list, menu and cost estimates

Field Trip
_____Plan a field trip- tell where, why it goes with Fablehaven, and how much it will cost including gas to get there and home.

Due June 25, 2008