How to Keep Spring Fever From Derailing Your Homeschool

How to Keep Spring Fever From Derailing Your Homeschool is from Kris of Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers:

Ah, spring. The birds are singing, the sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and your kids would rather be doing anything other than sitting inside doing schoolwork! And, you may be able to disguise it a little better than them, but you’d rather be doing anything other than schoolwork, too.

So, how do you keep spring fever from derailing your homeschool?

Don’t fight it!

Winter can be long, cold, and dreary. We don’t just want to get out and enjoy the sunshine; we need to get out and enjoy it. So, don’t fight the desire to get outside. Take a blanket and the books and head outside.

Laptops on porches, decks, or patios can be a lot more fun than inside, too, if your kids do some of their schoolwork online – but only if you’re not worried about them dropping their expensive electronic devices.

Also, don’t forget that P.E. (physical education) is a school subject and that regular exercise is essential for moms and kids alike. Take advantage of the pretty spring days to take a family walk, ride bikes, or partake of any other outdoor sports your family enjoys.

Learn more: How to Add Exercise to Your Homeschool and Family Life

Incorporate nature study.

Spring is the perfect time for nature study. New life cycles are beginning, birds are active, and everything is blooming. Take advantage and lay aside the science textbooks for awhile. Do a bird or butterfly unit study. Become botanists or etymologists for a few months.

Learn more: How to Have a Backyard Nature Study

Enjoy more fine arts.

Art isn’t really any less messy outside, but clean up is easier. With a portable music player (editor note: this is our new favorite portable music player and we love it), you can enjoy listening to famous composers while you draw and create.

Just thinking of enjoying the beautiful spring weather while enjoying those subjects that often get overlooked makes me feel more peaceful and creative.

You’ve probably spent the winter inside pouring over the “basic” or “core” subjects. Use this time to make sure your creative side isn’t neglected.

Learn more: 10 Quality Art Supplies for Kids

Change things up.

Our homeschool group used to plan a spring fair every year just to combat those spring fever feelings. Our family enjoyed it because we would usually put aside some of our regular curriculum to delve into our particular topic of study, which was a surefire way to breathe new life – and renewed excitement – into our homeschool day.

We would usually host a “people and places” fair for which families (or individual kids within families) would choose a person or place to learn more about.

Each family or child would put together a presentation that included things like:

• A presentation board with facts about the person or place
• costumes
• crafts
• artwork
• food (always food!)

We would set up the displays at our meeting place and people would go around the room visiting each booth, sort of like homeschool convention. The kids didn’t have to do presentations for the whole group, but, rather could talk to individuals as they visited. That tends to be much less intimidating. My kids usually took turns manning the booth and visiting others.

One year, we did a Night at the Museum party (oh, my word, my kids were so tiny in that post!) instead of the People and Places fair. That was so much fun! Families could choose anything represented in the movie (Night at the Museum): Lewis and Clark, Easter Island, Capuchin monkeys, a time period in history, whatever they wanted.

Socialize!

The non-homeschooling world is always concerned about our kids’ socialization. Spring can be a great time to rectify that situation. Take advantage of the gorgeous weather (which, I realize, in some parts of the country may be hit or miss) and get together with your friends at the park!

Learn more: Social Opportunities for Middle School Students

Bring spring inside.

I know that as much as we’d love to be outside all spring long, sometimes we have to be inside doing the not-as-fun stuff. Those are the days I like to bring spring inside as much as I can. I make sure all our blinds are open, so we’ve got as much sunlight as possible.

I open the doors and windows as often as the pollen will allow (my four allergy-sufferers determine how often that is). I also love to have spring flowers in a vase near our school table. They brighten the room and my mood.

What do you do to combat spring fever?

Other Posts You’ll Enjoy:

1. Fifteen Ideas for a “Mental Health” Day
2. Spring Fairy Wand Treats and Fairy Fruit Juice
3. Rainy Day Activities for Kids
4. How to Build a Teepee-Style Fairy House

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