All graphics by Irene's Graphics

In just over a week, summer will be here! Many of us are taking a break from the schedule of homeschooling, while other homeschooling families are continuing year-round, maybe with a lighter schedule in June and July to accomodate all of those fun activities that summer brings. I received some great submissions to share with you this week. Many go along with the theme of keeping homeschooling fun, while others do not ... but that's ok because they all have something to offer you. So sit back and enjoy reading what your fellow homeschoolers are blogging about!

Let's go ahead and start off with some Cheap Summer ideas from Just Call me Jamin' - she shares ideas for free/cheap crafts, free movies, and more!  Tired of the same old, same old homeschool routine?  Too hot to go outside?  Kids giving you grief about that Latin workbook?  Jazz up your day with these easy, cool ideas in 7 Cool, Free Ways to Add Fun to Summer Days from Kathy.  Elena of My Domestic Church has posted 10 ways to add fun to your homeschool. Her advice even comes with pictures of her adorable family! On her blog, Jocelyn says, "We don't take days off" and shares some things that they do that are great for summer school learning. There are also pictures of what her family has been doing around the house as they unschool on their homestead. Kimberly shares four of her past posts with lots of fun ideas. She says, "Sometimes FUN is just letting the boys make their own waffles for breakfast, or deciding to go for a Nature Walk or play at the park. Making our own Obstacle Course is Fun. We have FUN doing Science Experiments together."

Is your family travelling this year? The Soul Traveler offers fun ways to combine homeschool and travel. Jeanne says, "We find making up kids' itineraries using books is a great way to add to the fun and I give two great examples on our trip to Venice, but the idea could be expanded to any vacation spot." In another post about a family's trip, Karen shares, "We recently returned from a vacation to VA, specifically to go to Jamestown. I found that there are two Jamestowns, and thought others who might be vacationing this summer would want to know which is the real one, and which would be most appropriate for their family to visit." Read more in Jamestown Settlement: Not the Real Thing and Historic Jamestowne: the Real Thing. 

Maybe you can't afford to take a big vacation this year, so Sprittibee may have some ideas for you as she shares some field trip ideas for 2nd and 3rd graders. But don't let the grade levels deter you from this post ... she has some great ideas for families of all ages! Field trips have also been a staple of the Homeschooling Experiment at Pass the Torch. Kelly shares their most recent excursion at the Chicago's Children's Museum. And now you have got to read about a most Memorable Field Trip to see the works of da Vinci as posted by the Deputy Headmistress - this is a funny post!  Maybe some of us don't have good museums nearby, so how about having the kids write a play and share it using finger puppets?? Jennifer shares her family's experience with puppet theaters in Break a Leg, er, Finger.

Don't forget Father's Day is just around the corner!  If you are needing some last minute ideas, Beverly shares a printable Father’s Day Coupon Book, activity pages and other printables on her blog, About Homeschooling. How about some ideas for fun at home? At Home With the Kids offers up reviews and links to several fun games that are educational too. These games can be downloaded free for 1 hour of play time or purchased from Big Fish Games. She also provides a link to her website's Learning Games link page. On the Learning Games page, you'll find links to all kinds of free game websites for kids, complete with a brief description of each site so you can choose the ones that are right for your family. Instructions for a simple dice game can be found at Play-Activities.com. Maybe your kids would be interested in a fun romp through math history, with three puzzles to try at Let's Play Math.

How about some tips for studying art, reading classic novels and studying nature this summer?   Trinity Prep School has posted discussion questions for the classic, "Little Britches" for you to use with your family. (On a side note, I have read this entire series and it is wonderful!). Amanda of The Daily Planet suggests that families read classic titles together in Classics are the Best! She says, "It will help with learning vocabulary and you can also incorporate other subjects to make it a small unit study." And speaking of books, would you like to save 50-90% off of brand new books for your homeschool? Then check out my information on Book CloseOuts and let me help you find some great bargains for your summer reading or home library!  How about adding some art into your summer routine? Jacque of Seeking Rest in Ancient Paths says, "There is no reason we can't go sit outside with our sketch pads and draw *something*.  Inspiration to get out and draw real life in Creation" and offers some Inspiration for the Summer Homeschool.  Along the same lines, Dana offers advice on Backyard Birding and Barb of The Heart of Harmony is inviting all homeschoolers to her summer art challenge. Make your own list and get started!

Summer is not without its pitfall of children home alone while parents are working. In The Chat Room Addict, Teen Chat Rooms and the Possible Dangers, we are reminded of the dangers of letting our children stay online too much and without adult supervision. The long days of summer offer good opportunities for families to discuss various hot topics. Karen shares The Great Divide, Jr. Or, Where I Stand on the YEC/OEC Debate and Cameron has written a post, 7 Days? 7 Billion Years? which explains what evolutionists do not want you to hear.  This post is full of good materials to help the homeschool student learn to adequately defend the Biblical position on creation.  Cameron says, "I believe it is essential that we learn how to articulate and defend the Biblical truths of creation and I want to encourage other homeschool students to do so. ... maybe these posts will offer something for your family to discuss! Paul of From Cool to Smoky shares a post on Astronomy. He says, "Ever since I was nine I've always been fascinated with astronomy. So, I thought I'd share a little with you. Our universe is so complicated. Our solar system is so delicate. If we were even one percent closer to the sun our oceans would boil. And if we were one percent farther our oceans would freeze solidly. There is no way it could have happened by chance. Only a fool would say that our vast, mysterious universe is not created. And if it was created, doesn't that mean that there is a Creator? Psalms 14.1 " A Family Runs Through It shares a story about a local home-schooling family that perpetuates the unfair stereotype that home-schoolers are out-of-step with society's norms in Guns N' Fishes.

Do you know the history of homeschooling in your state? Judy shares The History Of Homeschooling In Connecticut - maybe this will inspire your family to research your own state history. This week, Henry comments on the problem with DCF in Connecticut and suggests another response if the DCF is really concerned with "education neglect" in Are you homeschooling in Connecticut? You might think you were in Germany.  Along the same lines, Dana shares her post, "Illiberal Homeschooling: Constitutional Constraints on Homeschooling" where she discusses the right of parents to homeschool their own children. Michelle, in her post Regulating Homeschoolers, explains why regulating homeschoolers won’t prevent an illiberal education. Often, friends and relatives do not understand our choice to homeschool and we must deal with many wrong assumptions about homeschool families. Alasandra addresses some of these falsehoods in her post, "Stupid comments of public school jingoist."

In her post, Kindergarten, In Other Words, Sarah shares "a typical school system's scope and sequence that is filled with  excessive language and complicated terms. Sarah says, "In our home, we take out the edu-speak and simply learn." Sometimes, homeschooled children are discriminated against ... Barbara shares her family's experience in Homeschooling and job interviews - what an unbelievable post!  Marcy has written a response to an excerpt from a recent paper by Kimberly Yuracko of Northwestern University. The paper recommends significantly restricting homeschooling, but Marcy provides some reasons why that should not be done in Should Homeschooling Be Regulated?

Many homeschool parents are looking ahead to next year. Jana says I've done it! ... "This post is the first in a week of posts about my book and resource selections for the next year. I believe my excitement to be contagious, and I share a little about choosing material that fits the Charlotte Mason method." Mama Squirrel shares how math is taught in her home in And what do you do with it? Maybe she'll have some ideas for you! Summer shares some important thoughts on reducing the paper waste from printing lots of pages in Too many printables? Maybe you need some storage for all of those printables.  HowToMe shares a free and clever way to organize your homeschool supplies in How to Make Custom Containers! This is a wonderful post with lots of great pictures, too.

Will you be teaching your children their alphabet next year? Karen wrote a post sharing the fun they are having making a fun, but simple alphabet book. Or maybe you need help Improving Your Childs Reading Skills -  More4kids Homeschooling shares tips for teaching new and improving readers. Rod Everson discusses an effective way to instill in your child the concept of a vowel sound in On Track Reading - First Vowel Sounds and includes a worksheet that can be downloaded as a PDF to use with your children to help them automate the pronunciation of the basic vowel sounds. The article is part of a larger  "Guide to Overcoming Your Child's Reading Problems" currently under construction on his website.  Or maybe you are on the other end of the timeline and are trying to help your high school graduate get into college. On the CampusGrotto College Blog, you can read some College Admission Application Tips to make this task a little easier.

When I received this alert from a popular homeschooling dad, I thought it important enough to share with other homeschooling families. In his post, Whirlpool plays dirty, Danny says, "My wife was fired based on false accusations, and now our family faces no money for health care for children with a rare congenital condition which requires frequent doctor visits and daily medication." If you have any advice for him, please leave a comment on his blog! Another homeschool parent, Julee, shares from the heart as she recounts her past weeks of trying to find help for her son who is showing early signs of Autism in Where I’ve Been – A Melancholy post. And, of course, no summer is complete without some sibling bickering, right?? At The Thinking Mother, Christine talks about her children's bickering and ponders what a parent's best course of action is in Bickering About LEGOs (Again) .

Some kids consider writing a chore (like the two kids in my family!). Patti shares some Fun Writing Ideas to incorporate into your routine so that writing becomes more fun! Maybe your family has used Wikipedia when researching information. Well, Jimmy from Online Education Database shares information listing the Top 7 Alternatives to Wikipedia.  Finally, you have got to read this post if you've ever read Richard Scarry ... Katie shares something that happened one afternoon while they were out running errands and had to deal with a rude fellow driver. The kids immediately connected the driver's behavior with the very rude Dingo Dog of Richard Scarry fame and wrote their own story in Goldbug Would Never Do That!

So, there you have it ... this week's Carnival of Homeschooling.  Next week, Consent of the Governed is hosting the 77th carnival, so be sure to check it out. You can get information about how to submit a post at Why Homeschool.  I hope you have a super summer!

... Kris ...