Summer of Learning

I feel the educational system around here is highly lacking. I feel my kids are being slighted in their chance to love learning. My oldest is in 7th grade and the next is in 4th grade. My 7th grader has NEVER done a book report, a bug collection, a science fair project, or a research paper. The only difference for my 4th grader is she has done ONE book report. Are we short changing our kids because everything is focused on the standardized tests? How accurately do those test really show what they have learned? As you can tell this is really bothering me.

I don't want to ACTUALLY homeschool my kids, but I want them to have a more complete and well-rounded education. I do believe them attending public school does have its own merits - social, sports, clubs, etc. That and I don't believe I am actually qualified to teach them everything they need to know.

So I have come up with a plan. A summer of learning. A summer of FUN educational experiences for my family. The most surprising thing is they are excited about it. So you might ask, what do we have planned?

• ant farms
• bug collections
• Elvis (a trip to Graceland is planned)
• the history of Kentucky (vacation destination)
• caves and bats
• museums
• nature walks
• leaf collections
• photography
• book club
• research projects
• science projects
• raising butterflies

I have already given them their first project. What is something that was invented in Oklahoma? Why? Where? Who? When? I have given them a week. Ashleigh already has most of hers done.

They each have their own notebooks so they can keep their notes and I can write down each of their projects. I hope this instills a love of learning into each of them as they realize it can be fun to learn new things. If it goes well, we may well continue our projects through the school year.

Wish us luck on our new journey.