Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

It’s summer, and you might not feel like touching a curriculum guide with a ten-foot pole! But today on Home School Heartbeat, host Mike Smith explains why thinking about the next school year could be a great use of your summer.

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Mike Smith:
This week, we’ve been considering various ways that homeschooling families—and especially the teaching parent—can reclaim sanity over the summer. Whether you take time to do new things, or do nothing at all, the summer provides a break from school and your normal routine.

But before you forget totally about the cares and responsibilities of homeschooling, there are a few things that you can do right now.

If you haven’t already done this, take time this summer to evaluate your past school year and plan for the upcoming one. You may find it helpful to draw a simple rubric for this purpose. How did each of your students do in each area of academics? If your student struggles in a specific subject, would a different curriculum better fit his learning style? Do you need to do a “summer intensive” on any particularly challenging subject?

But don’t stop at academics. How are your children developing emotionally, relationally, and—most importantly—spiritually? Take advantage of the summer break to pour more intensive time into a struggling relationship. Brainstorm with your spouse and mentors about how to disciple and encourage your child better in the coming year. And don't forget to ask your child for their input, too!

Taking time to regroup this summer will pay dividends when you start next fall with a vision for where you want to take your family, and how to get there. And that, friends, is a summer well spent. But until next time, I’m Mike Smith.