Homeschool Update - June

July 20, 2023

We have been homeschooling for many years and I sometimes forget that what we do isn't the same for others. So, I decided to try adding a monthly homeschool recap to this blog to demonstrate one way (there are so many methods out there!) that homeschooling can work.

We use an eclectic method of homeschooling that leans very heavily towards the Charlotte Mason method of teaching. Without going into too much detail about this method, it can be described as very literature-heavy. We read and discuss A LOT of books. We don't spend a lot of time on workbooks, worksheets, etc., We have gravitated toward this method over the years and found that it works very well for our learners and family lifestyle.

We finished up our "book-schooling" for the year in May and took it easy in relation to book-work during the month of June. We officially homeschool all year long, but we cut it back to a lighter workload during some months of the year.

Here are some items that we have read, listened to or watched during the month of June:

*The Holy Bible

We limit screens during the warmer months of the year but when they do watch TV, one way is by using YouTube playlists.

- I set up different playlists for each child. Then, I add content to the list based on their interests. I also add some things that I think that they may enjoy. It has been a good thing for our family to allow the kids to watch programs that interest them without constant supervision. It is important to note that this does not work for those YouTube items labeled "for kids". I am not sure why.

The kids have plenty of books to read independently and will choose to read those as they see fit. I do not monitor this reading.

Here's a list of more "formal" curriculum products that we have used during the month of June:

None. We are taking a break from formal curriculum.

Here are some online classes that we have used:

None. We are limiting screens, and this includes online education.

Here are a few games/activities that we have enjoyed:

I can't remember. We have a variety of board games and we do play them together on occasion but I'm not sure if we have bothered to do so with the warmer weather. Instead, we have spent a large amount of time outdoors.

Here are a few field trips/activities that we have participated in during the month of June:

- We participated in a field trip to tour the replica of the Pinta.

- Our son participated in the local Farmer's Market. He started selling his very own worm tea. Worm tea is a natural fertilizer made from draining water through his system of the worm farm. He also agreed to sell eggs (and split the profit) from our farm.

After discussions with other vendors at the market, he expanded his fertilizer business to include rabbit pellets (aka slow-release fertilizer). He also agreed to display and sell a sign handmade by his grandfather.

This entrepreneurial spirit was contagious and the girls wanted to try selling homemade bracelets. He was kind enough to share some space on his table.