Schooling year-round has its benefits

Posted by Chris | 0 comments

When “summer school” is a good thing

The calendar isn’t binding me now. I have relied on it since my daughter started kindergarten. In our state, the school year is 180 days from August through May, give or take. While that is still true for my high schooler who is in public school, we answer to no timetable in our homeschool.

Schooling year-round has incredible benefits. Even though our summer school weeks are only a couple of days each, with respites for camp and vacation, the result shows in both maintenance and advancement. We transition from one grade to the next, with only our state-mandated paperwork as proof that anything has changed. The study of history is a cycle that moves forward without regard to grade. My math loving boy advances as needed. When he finishes pre-algebra, our study of algebra will start. Why wait (or move forward) based on some arbitrary date?

I didn’t always feel this way. Last summer was our first with real school days, but the results are undeniable for us. With most of the week left for the pool, play and (gasp!) video games, our two days a week didn’t seem like a burden to either of us. We could take school with us outdoors or poolside. When the new school year officially started, we just continued. There was no need for review or regrouping and no lost knowledge.

We are still in the depths of winter now and warm, sunny days feel a long way off. But used curriculum sales are coming – and they are as sure a sign of spring as the bluebird. I am shopping early and getting ready. Pool school awaits.

Chris Worthy is mom to Caroline (15) and Nolan (10) and will soon celebrate 20 years of marriage to her favorite person, John. Chris practiced law before becoming a writer and stay-at-home mother more than 10 years ago. She enjoys cooking, crafting, spoiling dogs, green living and rummaging though old books. Follow along at www.chrisworthy.com