I’m happy that school is almost out (we have only 4 weeks left) but I am concerned about losing momentum over the summer especially where it comes to reading. In previous years, I’ve taken advantage of our local library summer reading programs for Isaac. They usually give the kids a goal for each week and they get weekly rewards and the chance to win a big prize at the end if they complete all the weekly assignments. I will probably do that again and it may be more fun for Isaac as he can actually read books himself instead of being read to. I think that holds new and exciting possibilities for this year as long as I can keep him from picking books that are too hard to read on his own.
Of course, there is always the “just read as many books to him as he can stand” strategy and I have certainly employed that over the past few years. However, I want to do something more formal or structured. Something akin to a real plan.
Back when I was seriously considering homeschooling, I purchased a workbook based on Charlotte Mason theories called Language Lessons For Little Ones. The workbook focused on practice writing letters along with some question and answers on poems and paintings that were included in the book. I loved it! Isaac did not. This is one of several reasons he is not being homeschooled 
. I was tempted to buy another of these workbooks to work on this summer but I resisted the urge. Isaac would thank me if he knew.
Next week I am going to Isaac’s school with him for a VIP night where he can show a person of his choice what he does at school. I’m hoping to pick up a few pointers of projects I can continue working on with him. I’ll be looking for work he is already familiar with and won’t realize that I shouldn’t know about. The nice thing about a Montessori child is that they are taught to work independently and if I can discipline myself to guide him a little (and not fall into the bad habit of “entertaining” him), he is quite capable of working on lessons on his own.
What are your summer reading or learning plans? Do you know of any good workbooks or other learning tools for keeping kids from completely forgetting what they learned during the school year? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
