Some homeschoolers school year-round. I do not. I embrace a long summer break with enthusiasm. It gives me time to “put away” the last year, literally (bookcase reorganization and paper cleanouts) and figuratively (measuring goals, evaluating progress). Then I can move on and plan, dream, and shop for the next year. This summer we were able to repaint the schoolroom in a nice cheery green. It is easily the brightest room in the house, which I hope makes us all excited to be in there.
But I do have my ways of sneaking in learning all summer long. We’ve been doing a summer reading program, and we’ve enjoyed a few documentaries from the History Channel about people we studied last year.
Right now the kids are LOVING the BBC’s Planet Earth. When I say “loving,” I mean begging to watch the next episode, talking about it in their spare time, and staying glued to the TV when it’s on. I read many online exhortations to avoid the Americanized version, which features Oprah Winfrey as narrator, and opt for the British version with David Attenborough instead. Attenborough does a noble job of accompanying the mind-boggling HD cinematography only when necessary and allowing the film to speak for itself a good bit of the time.
We are renting the series from Netflix but it’s been so popular around here that we’re thinking about buying it.
HELPFUL SIDENOTE: David Attenborough is not to be confused with his brother, Richard Attenborough, the well-known British actor.
Kelly, Don't buy it! I own it and would be happy for you all to borrow it.
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We have it too. One of my sons gave it to my husband, his dad ~~!! aha……. great minds thinking alike!
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