I decided that I wanted to do something to keep Emma up on her school work this summer. She came home from school with some paper saying that kids who don’t read can loose a whole grade level of reading skills over the summer. I had heard something like this before and I knew that I didn’t want that to happen. I’m actually not too worried about Emma’s reading because she LOVES reading and we do it every night before bed but she struggles a bit with math. I thought it would be a great idea to get a little math book and have her do a sheet a day after breakfast.

I told Emma my idea and she loved it. She started telling everyone we ran into that we were going to do homeschool. I just smiled and told her to start saying summer school. She was so excited about it that she told Isaac that “Mom is going to teach us! Woo hoo!” and they ran around screaming and doing flips. She now has him thinking that SCHOOL IS AWESOME!! So of course I’m including Isaac in the whole summer school thing despite my worries about his ability to focus.

I got my hands on some workbooks for the kids. I went to the Lakeshore Learning Store and picked up Brainquest Workbook: Grade 2 for Emma as well as this math workbook. And for Isaac I grabbed Brainquest Workbook Pre K. I planned to also use Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons which I already had. At the store I debated over the Summer Bridge Books or the Brainquest workbooks. I eventually let Emma choose. I think she chose the Brainquest books because they are colorful and full of pictures. But now I think they are a bit on the easy side especially for Emma. The Summer Bridge books look a bit more serious and less colorful. I love the Teach Your Child to Read book and Isaac’s pre K workbook is just right for him. He needs something easy. The math workbook for Emma is on the hard side but I think she needs the push.

On the first day of “school” the kids were awesome. Emma wanted to have a full day of school just like “regular school.” We had a student of the day (they get a sticker and are able to sit the closest to the chalk board) and a “supplies” person, who I guess fetches stuff for the Mrs. Mommy. I even rang a pretend bell. Emma also wanted a lunch break, recess and art class and begged for some science.

I kept telling her it was just summer school and it was meant to be short so she could spend time playing. I didn’t convince her until the door bell rang and the neighbor boy wanted to play. She turned to me and said, “Mom, is it okay if it is a short day today?”

Of course, Hunny!

Our first week was very successful. We had school 4 out of 5 days and they even wanted to do it on Saturday which I voted NO. Isaac paid amazing attention and was supper excited to write his letters and numbers on the chalk board.

When we were out walking the neighborhood he stopped at the stop sign and sound out “sss- t- zero- puh” You see, we learned about the number 0. I thought it was too cute.

Today was the  first day of week two. Although the kids still are enjoying school very much, the honeymoon might be over. Isaac rolled around on the floor a bit more today but would pop back up whenever I shut his reading book. He surprisingly wanted to keep going. Emma only wanted art class and no math but we managed to get through a couple math pages by counting money instead of subtraction which she gets a real blank stare on her face for.

I’m really hoping we can keep going with this school thing. I hope to get Emma up on her math and Isaac ready for preschool next year. Wish me luck!

*** *** ***

Have you ever done any summer school type activities? What has worked for you in the past? What are your educational plans for the summer?