Literature

Summer School

You educate your children at home whether or not you formally "homeschool". We all have a profound influence in the life and education of our children. Just explaining things to our children, taking them to the library, reading to them, taking them on trips, whether vacations or an errand or appointment, all contribute to their education. The seed of this website started out many years ago (before the internet) as an idea for a book to be called Enrichment Handbook. It gradually evolved into what it is today, Mothers Almanac website! There is a lot in this website for homeschooling, but I still would like to include ideas for enrichment for those of you whose children "go away" to school each day, as well as extra ideas for the homeschoolers.

The reason I call this page "Summer School" is because one day a mother asked me what she could do to keep up her children's education during the summer when they were home from school. I thought of things to share with her, and with you, and put them here.

The section entitled Literature is a large part of that effort to encourage continued learning and growing, in a relaxed, interesting, sometimes exciting, way. I believe that the very best thing we can do for our children academically is to encourage them to read, read, read.

There is also a set of books that I recommend for supplementation and enrichment. It is the series which begins with the book, What Your Kindergartner Needs to Know, and goes all the way through to What Your Sixth Grader Needs to Know. They are edited by E.D. Hirsch. I would NOT feel guilty about your child not knowing all or even many of the things in these books. There is no set standard across the country for what children should know in the way of content at a given age, neither federally mandated nor culturally. However, there are many good things in these books which you could share with your child for enrichment and to enhance or reinforce knowledge and skills. They are available (at least in the U.S.) in libraries and bookstores. I've even seen them in grocery stores. They an be ordered at the Core Knowledge Foundation website by clicking here.

Some children enjoy workbooks. There are workbooks available in stationery stores, grocery stores, even dollar stores. But there is a series that is not available in stores that I feel is particularly excellent! It is Continental Press. I recommend their Map Skills; Reading for Comprehension; and Mathematics: Skills, Concepts, and Problem Solving.

Well, and for us mothers summer may also be a time to get organized! Here is a great site for organizing ideas, with lots of printable forms for household organizing: Organized Home.

Have a great summer! And if you're reading this when it's not summer, well, enjoy the ideas anyway!

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