Regular schools shut down for the summer, but homeschooling families have no such compulsion. So do they take a break during the summer as well or do they carry on homeschooling all year round? The yearly routine would depend on a number of factors. Here are some that you can consider.
Are you planning a long trip out of town?
Some families tend to go visit grandparents or take exploratory trips that last more than a couple of weeks. If you plan to take a long trip out of town at a different time of the year, it would make more sense to continue homeschool classes during the summer. That way you will stay on track academically speaking without piling on the pressure towards the end of the year.
Does the weather where you live get particularly hostile at some part of the year?
If you live in a place where the winters cause you to get snowed in or the summers are so hot that you get housebound for the major part of the day, it would make sense to continue homeschool classes at these times. Since you are going to be stuck in the house for the majority of the day due to the weather, it would make sense to use the time to get some learning done.
Do you take a mid term break when you finish half of your syllabus?
Some families start slowly and build up momentum through the homeschooling year with the majority of classes happening in the last quarter. Others prefer to take a dash into the new academic year by quickly picking up speed in the homeschool classes as soon as the new session begins. No matter when you get there, when you finish half of your prescribed syllabus for the year, consider taking a mid term break to relax and recoup.
Scheduling short breaks for each season may also work
Every season has something new to offer in terms of physical activity like swimming in summer, or hiking in autumn, or camping in spring. It makes sense to take a short break from homeschooling to enjoy these activities. So schedule your school breaks in a manner that allows you to make the best of the season.
