Morning Baskets: The Secret To a Productive Summer

If you are a homeschool parent, the term “Morning Basket” may be part of your daily vocabulary. While the concept of Morning Baskets in homeschooling is quite popular, I believe it is a practice that can be adopted by all families, especially during the summer months.

What is a Morning Basket?

Simply put, a Morning Basket is a collection of books and activities that families use to start their day. The beauty of a Morning Basket is that it can be tailored to fit the specific lifestyle and values of each family, as well as the educational goals of each child.

Morning Baskets draw from classical education and Charlotte Mason philosophies, emphasizing the importance of incorporating a variety of subjects and activities into daily learning. Most commonly, you will find a Morning Basket containing:

• Read-aloud books (a favorite in our household)
• Poetry
• Art or music appreciation
• Bible or character study
• Educational games or puzzles

Benefits of Morning Baskets

Using a Morning Basket offers numerous benefits:

• Fostering a Love for Learning: Engaging activities and reading materials can spark a child’s interest and curiosity.
• Family Bonding: Spending time together each morning strengthens family relationships.
• Structured Start: Morning Baskets provide a structured yet flexible start to the day, making transitions smoother. (And, if you know me, transitions in our household can be a bit challenging.)

Our Plan for Summer Morning Baskets

This summer, I plan to implement Morning Baskets on the first Monday of break. I feel it is important to integrate the routine as early as possible. My goal is to keep skills sharp and minds nimble, while also providing an objective each morning and an opportunity for us all to learn side-by-side.

Here is what our kitchen table looks like each morning when the children wake up.

Imagine, if you will, each child with their own Morning Basket. They will get to choose the order in which they complete their activities, but all activities must be done. I, too, will have a Morning Basket, and I plan to read the daily readings from the Diary of St. Faustina. 

It will be perfect! (Okay, just breathing life into my vision. Bear with me!)

What Will Be in Our Summer Morning Baskets?

My children are currently 8, 7, 5, and nearly 3. I will need to ensure that each Morning Basket is curated for the child’s interests, educational abilities, and goals. I plan to structure each basket the following way:

• Handwriting practice
• Sight word review and memorization (game options included)
• Oswego Public Library’s Summer Reading Program folder along with book choices
• Basic math facts and review from the school year
• Games: math, word searches, Bananagrams Jr.
• Read-aloud books: here is our list for the summer

Example Activities for Different Ages

For readers with children of varying ages, here are some specific activity ideas:

• Ages 3-5: Simple puzzles, beginner books, coloring activities.
• Ages 6-8: Handwriting practice sheets, basic math games, short chapter books.
• Ages 9 and up: More complex puzzles, age-appropriate novels, and science experiments.

What Current Studies Show About Summer Learning Loss

Research on summer learning loss, often referred to as the “summer slide,” reveals that students can lose significant academic progress during the summer when they’re not engaged in educational activities. Here are some key insights from recent studies:

Academic Achievement Decline:

• During summer break, students typically lose about one to two months of reading and math skills.
• Math skills tend to decline more than reading skills.

Cumulative Effect:

• Over time, repeated cycles of summer learning loss can significantly impact a student’s overall educational trajectory and future opportunities, contributing to long-term achievement gaps.

Specific Study Findings:

• The National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) reports that most students lose about two months of mathematical skills every summer.
• The RAND Corporation found that students’ performance typically falls by about a month of school-year learning over the summer. However, high-quality summer learning programs can mitigate or even reverse this loss.
• Research by the NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association) using MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) test data shows that students on average lose between 25-30% of their school-year learning gains in reading and math during the summer.

Implementing Morning Baskets during the summer is a great way to keep children’s minds active and engaged. By incorporating a variety of enriching and educational activities into their daily routine, you can help mitigate the effects of the summer slide.

Tips for Getting Started

If you’re new to the concept of Morning Baskets, here are some tips to help you get started:

• Gather Materials: Collect books, games, and activities that align with your children’s interests and educational needs. Odds are you already have so much of this in your home!
• Set a Routine: Establish a consistent time each morning for the basket activities.
• Keep It Fun: Ensure the activities are enjoyable to maintain your children’s interest and engagement.

I’m Feeling a Bit Overwhelmed. Can You Help Me?

Absolutely! I would be delighted to help you create the ideal Morning Basket for your child. Please reach out to me here.

There are also countless resources available.

1. Books on Morning Baskets and Homeschooling:
   • “Better Together: Strengthen Your Family, Simplify Your Homeschool, and Savor the Subjects that Matter Most” by Pam Barnhill
   • “The Morning Basket: How to Simplify Your Homeschool” by Cindy West
   • “Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler’s Guide to Unshakable Peace” by Sarah Mackenzie
   • “A Gracious Space: Fall” by Julie Bogart (and other volumes in the series)
2. Websites and Blogs:
   • Pam Barnhill’s Blog: pambarnhill.com
   • Simply Charlotte Mason: simplycharlottemason.com
   • Read-Aloud Revival: readaloudrevival.com
   • The Homeschool Mom: thehomeschoolmom.com
3. Podcasts:
   • The Homeschool Sisters Podcast
   • The Homeschool Solutions Show by Pam Barnhill
   • Your Morning Basket Podcast by Pam Barnhill
4. Online Communities and Forums:
   • The Well-Trained Mind Community: forums.welltrainedmind.com
   • The Homeschool Lounge: homeschool-lounge.com
   • Facebook Groups (search for homeschooling and Morning Basket related groups)
5. Social Media Accounts:
   • Instagram accounts of homeschooling moms and educators who share their Morning Basket routines and resources.
   • Pinterest boards with Morning Basket ideas, printables, and book lists.
6. Educational Programs and Curricula:
   • Ambleside Online: amblesideonline.org
   • Sonlight Curriculum: sonlight.com
   • Torchlight Curriculum: torchlightcurriculum.com
7. Local Resources:
   • Public libraries often offer summer reading programs and may have resources on homeschooling and educational activities.
   • Community centers or local homeschool co-ops may organize events or provide support for homeschooling families.

Ready to Dive into Morning Baskets? Share Your Thoughts!

Are you interested by the idea of incorporating Morning Baskets into your family’s routine? Do you have questions, experiences to share, or tips for fellow readers? We’d love to hear from you!

Drop a comment below and let’s start the conversation. Whether you’re a seasoned homeschool parent, new to the concept, or simply curious about Morning Baskets, your ideas are valuable and welcomed.

Let’s inspire and support each other on this journey. Add your voice to the discussion now!