J is for J-terms

Do you homeschool year round or stick to a more traditional schedule? 

We have tried different types of schedules over the past 7 years of homeschooling. I think we’ve settled in to a year round kind of schedule over the past couple of years, taking time off when we want or need to, and then continuing on during the summer months with an abbreviated school day to allow for plenty of time outdoors. 

For this year’s summer schedule, I’ve decided to take an idea that colleges use and created a couple of “J-terms” for our homeschool — June and July terms. 

Each J-term will have a different theme, and both will allow for lots of outdoor time and field trips. For June, the theme will be science/nature-based, and for July, the theme will be history based. I’m still planning (yes, I’m actually doing some planning with this!) all the details, but I thought I would go ahead and share the basic structure with you now, just in case you’re looking for ideas, too.

Here’s what I’m thinking — 

Theme: Birds, Bats, and Butteflies

Resources: NaturExplorers — Beautiful Birds, Flying Creatures of the Night, Butterflies Flutter By

Field Trips: John James Audubon State Park, Mammoth Cave National Park, Louisville Zoo Butterfly Garden and Lorikeet Landing

Theme: Kentucky History

Resources: The Big Kentucky Activity Book, Kids Love Kentucky, Kentucky State History

Field Trips: Fort Boonesborough, Kentucky Historical Society/State Capitol, Old Fort Harrod State Park, Big South Fork Scenic Railway

Now, if the weather will cooperate with me and temps will stay out of the 100s for this summer.