Summer Homeschool Defined

So, the other day I threw a few pictures together in this post of just some of the things going on around our home this time of year...all in the name of "homeschooling."  Really, everything we do is in the name of "home life," but for the sake of those who can not fathom that "life" and "school" -at least should be- are two parallel characters.  So, those pictures the other day were a little teaser of sorts.  Did it look like all fun and games?  Did those few photos I could find! look NOTHING like what you think "school" at home can or should look like?  I'm smiling here- don't worry.  There is no condemnation here.  I just love the "ah-ha" moment we all get when we realize, "ohhhh...life is learning.  School is not inevitably learning, but only an institution that supplies information, not necessarily knowledge or wisdom."

So here it is, a short list:

1. Terrariums:  we are learning the carbon cycle, a self-supporting system.
2. Point Shoes:  evidence of 100s of hours of dance...earned in less than 2 years. Lessons of perseverance, determination, physical and mental strength, public performance skills
3. Baseball: sweet son, too, learning perseverance, determination, competitiveness, Daddy/son time (Dad is coach), confidence builder
4. Kids playing at the beach and pictures together:  well, first, my daughter mentioned the other day that before we homeschooled she really didn't even know her brother.  Wow!  Now, that was news.  She said it was "school, snack, homework, bath, bed."  Hmmm.  And the beach?  We studied seashells, tidal pools, read Pagoo, a classic by Holling C. Hollings, read maps, studied the geography of the area...
5. The Climbing Wall:  part of a museum in which they had hands-on experience with sound waves, simple machines, animal identification, the science behind toys, and on and on.  And the upside to homeschooling?  We were able to go when other kids were "in school," AND we were able to visit family, too!
6. The insect and salamander:  the result of our frequent nature walks and studies, in which the kids draw or take photos (or take home) the leaf, flower, piece of bark, animal that they are studying.  The often find the Latin name and/or take notes of when we would or would not see the animal or plant and how it might change given a different season, etc.
7. Hiking/camping:  sweet time together when we all learn life skills like how to start a fire, cook over an open fire, just breathe fresh air...see life away from brick walls!  We hike to waterfalls, geocache (and learn longitude and latitude -geography.)  We work together studying different areas around us to discover the best area to visit.  The kids work towards the Junior Ranger program wherever we go.  And, before we leave for the trip, they find out what type of animals or plants they should look for, particularly those that we might not find near where we live.
8. My son learns to shoot a gun while visiting G'Daddy, again, during the "school" year.  Because of the flexibility to travel any time, we have so many opportunities to see and do and learn and become.
9. Outdoor Drama:  learned about The Trail of Tears and the history of the Cherokee Indians
10. Homesteads:  we seek out homesteads to learn about early American life, from old homes to the way food was stored.
11. Heritage Museum:  where we learned how a blacksmith worked, among other amazing hands-on activities.
12. This small representation (maybe two weeks' worth) of summer homeschooling, if nothing else, defines this:  family.  

We get to be. 

Be Family.  

Be Friends.

Be Ourselves.

There is so much more.  I can't wait to tell you about some of the blessings we've experienced as we homeschool, but, for now, I have this little sneak peek at how we make every day life the kind of life we want to live every day of our life.