During summer we have a very light school schedule. We enjoy all of our libraries summer reading activities. They tend to be all science based. We are reading like crazy to earn prizes during summer reading. As long as I squeeze some math in there we have a pretty easy going summer plan. This allows us a lot of free time to play and enjoy the summer but not completely break from school, lose our routine and forget everything from last year. With some of our free time and our constant library trips I spend a chunk of summer planning for our next school year. While the kids are enjoying the libraries summer events like the science days or the Friday movies I get my stack of school books and some free printable calendars and get to work. Nothing is set in stone but I like a rough idea mapped out of what I'd like to introduce to them this year along with core subjects they'll need and of course incorporating things they love into the plan as well. We use a few books and workbooks throughout the year so I can break those down to see where we should be each month throughout the school year in order to hopefully finish our books and reach our goals for the year. I normally use online sources for my planning and core subjects/topics to include in our year but this year I am trying out The Core Knowledge Series: What Your ___ Grader Needs To Know by E.D. Hirsch jr. I have been flipping through them at the library. I love how organized they are but easy to take what you need and make it your own to fit your family. We like flexible plans not rigid curriculum. In these early years and hopefully throughout life learning should be enjoyable and not dreaded. For us flexible lesson planning works great to keep learning enjoyable.
Our plan so far looks something like this...
4th Grade:
What your fourth grader needs to know
1st Grade:
What your first grader needs to know
Both grade levels:
math and grammar workbooks or printed worksheets from free online sources
Easy peasy all in one homeschool (trying this online curriculum this year, it looks fun)
Kahn Academy online math
Xtra Math online math
Field trips and group activities with our homeschool group
Art club and Lego club at the library
Dance classes
