Stormy Weather, Stormy Times, Weather Experiments

Stormy weather hits many areas during March and April, largely due to changing weather patterns in the spring. There’s warmer weather, trying to work its way into our lives, clashing with chilly temperatures, still lingering from winter.

This skirmish between warm fronts and cool fronts results in rising updrafts of warm, moist air and downdrafts of cool, dry air. Add in the varying winds from one direction of a warm front interacting with winds from a different direction of a cool front, plus rapidly changing temperatures, you’ll often get thunderstorms or even tornadoes.

But as spring continues marching forward, and as winter finally concedes and gives up the fight, the stormy weather soon settles down. We’ll still get some rain showers in the summer. But the severe, turbulent storms of spring thankfully calm down.

Just like in life, we might have some clashes and disagreements with others at times. Tempers – like temperatures – might rise. Cooler attitudes – like cooler weather – can calm things down. And always, there will be sunnier days, gentler breezes, cloud-free skies, and beautiful rainbows.

Even in the face of storms – in weather or in life – we can be brave, we can be calm, and we can find beauty and peace.

Here are Fun Weather Experiments on making storms, thunder, lightning, tornadoes, hurricanes, clouds, rainbows, paintings, and more!

1. Weather Wiz Kids: https://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-experiments.htm

2. Science for Kids: https://www.science-sparks.com/weather-science-for-kids

3. Science Fun: https://www.sciencefun.org/kidszone/experiments/weather-science-experiments

4. Make Rainbows Outdoors: https://bigbangeducation.com.au/make-a-rainbow

5. Paint a Stormy Scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrfXSWJh-I8
This is a video I did of my Stormy Sea and Sky Painting (shown above). View the video to see the techniques, then try a stormy painting or artwork of your own!

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Happy homeschooling!

School and Summertime Lessons

As stores and the media start promoting “back to school” sales, remember that we’re still only one month into summer! The first day of summer was June 21. The last day of summer is still two months away! Summer doesn’t officially end until September 23. That’s 8 more weeks of lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer!

Yes, many traditional schools begin their school year in the middle of summer, or the last week of July, or the first week or two of August. But that doesn’t mean your family has to follow suit. After all, one of the top reasons families enjoy homeschooling is the freedom and flexibility that goes along with it.

So let your children enjoy these precious summer days a bit longer. Disregard the back-to-school hype. Focus on having fun and making great memories with your family. Allow your children to be carefree and happy as they savor these super summer days.

Each summer that passes means that your children grow closer and closer to adulthood. Then these carefree, childhood days of summer will become a thing of the past.

Help your children appreciate and treasure these days. That’s one of the best lessons you can teach them! Create keepsakes, craft mementos, compile photo memories of this summer, then make a “treasure box” to keep them in.

Every day provides an opportunity for learning, regardless of the season and regardless of the setting. Learning doesn’t require a specific school room, school day, or school year. Learning takes place in the mind – not in a specific building nor a specific timeframe.

We’ll begin providing learning ideas here again soon. And you can begin planning for your learning adventures, too. Sign up for our newsletter to receive learning activities and lesson ideas throughout the coming year. (See the subscribe space in the right-hand column.)

Meanwhile, enjoy the summer!

Happy homeschooling!

Fun Homeschool Activities and Learning!

We hope all of you had a great summer!

As always, my heart sinks a bit when I see the “Back-to-School” sales being advertised in July! "Hey, it's still summertime in my world!" July and August should consist of the "dog days" of summer, the “lazy, crazy days" of summer – swimming, picnics, ice cream socials, county fairs, and relaxing in the sunshine, letting daydreams dance across our minds.

Soon, though, we'll be gearing up for a new Homeschool Year at Everything Homeschooling. And we have LOTS of interesting and fun learning ideas to share!

We make it SO EASY for you to help your children learn at home, at their own pace, in their own ways. Remember: You don't need to be a "teacher" – just continue being your child's parent, the person they love and look up to the most!

Visit us often at EverythingHomeschooling.com for fun learning activities and more educational ideas for the coming year!

Happy homeschooling!