Summer...the Perfect Time for In-depth Child-Directed Learning!

Summer time is perfect for field trips, creating costumes, making a movie, or using Legos....it's about having the time to get the experience and cement learning... 

While we take a break from core studies during the summer, each kid usually picks out a couple of 'fun studies' for summer learning.  These are elective courses that might be shorter than a full semester, or just things we didn't have time for during the regular year.  If you have the flexibility - and the world opens up again - summer is the perfect time to take a roadschool vacation!

Last year, the boys worked together to study World War 2 (scroll down for that unit and resources), but they're a bit older and wanted to work independently now.  With no summer camps or extracurriculars going on, there's even more time.  

Between them, the boys have picked out: 

• Inkscape Graphic Design
• The oldest is interested in graphic design since he wants to do the cover and illustrations for the novel he's finishing up.  With this class he'll learn the basic tools and concepts essential to vector graphics, becoming familiar with all the tools and features of Inkscape.
• Computer Programming  
• Our computer kid is focusing on programming skills this summer, and with the Web Game Design course, students learn how to create some simple games right in their web browsers.  It covers several topics including starting a JavaScript game, as well as handling images and sound effects, input fields, 2D frame animation, virtual worlds, and much more.
• Starting a Micro-Business  
• Starting from zero, teens learn to choose a focus and begin a business the right way!  Since he's already had a micro-business for a number of years, our little chicken rancher will learn more about developing a business plan, including marketing and financial needs.
• People of World War 2  
• Our middle school son is a fan of all things WW2....his interest began with the airplanes and fanned out from there!  He'll be learning more about aircraft as he writes another chapter of Tales of the RAF, and will also be focusing on the Who's Who section of this course.  Later in the next school year, we will probably finish the section on the Homefront...but it may or may not happen.  Summer school -- it's a FUN study and there are no rules!

This summer the boys chose: 

• 
  Homesteading
• The youngest is our farmer-in-training.  He loves being outdoors and making things, and is on a homesteading kick!  Follow his farming adventures on his animal blog.
• Animal Science 
• This goes hand in hand with the farming, only extends it to the entire animal kingdom.  It's likely he'll breeze through some of the units and spend an inordinate amount of time on others...
• 
  Advanced Chemistry: Metals 
• If you think this is really specific, you'd be right!  Our older son is very into welding and metallurgy right now, and wants to learn more about the chemistry of metals and how they work.
• Middle Ages History
• Because what teen boy shouldn't be interested in sword fighting and chivalry?!  He'll also be working on chain maille and crafting a suit of armor.

In addition to these, we'll also have Physical Education (mowing the yard, weeding the garden, and other farm chores), Finances & Life Skills (garage sales & running errands), and Home Economics (teen boys eat too much...they have to do some of the cooking!).

SchoolhouseTeachers has so many fantastic elective options for summer FUN studies that the biggest problem was narrowing down their choices to a reasonable list!  (and that's a good problem to have)

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World War 2 Summer Study

Last year, the kids worked together on a really fun study about World War 2!  We made it age-appropriate, and even ended with a co-op movie.  It's super-cute...check it out below!  (Meet the kids and see how they created everything in the special features at the end.)

We did several read-alouds, cooking projects, and extra research on the topic at hand.  With the selection of World War 2 as a topic, we had several novel studies on-hand and ready to roll!

Snag these novel studies here

World War II - Summer Study

• WWII in Bricks Through the Ages
• WWII in History Through the Ages
• Purchase either fun pack or Lego-themed pack...not both!
• Time Travelers - World War 2
• The War to End Wars - game
• We Were There at Pearl Harbor
• We Were There at the Battle for Bataan
• We Were There at the Battle of Britain
• We Were There at the Battle of the Bulge
• We Were There at the Normandy Invasion
• We Were There at the Opening of the Atomic Era
• McHale's Navy - tv show
• Pearl Harbor - dvd
• Molly - An American Girl on the Homefront
• Printable Novel Studies Pack