Foundations Summer Preparation Tips For Parents and Students

Please realize that we do not suggest students "memorize ahead" the upcoming cycle's memory work. Their tutors will introduce new topics in exciting ways every week, and we do not wish to detract from that experience for the students, but these are some great ideas to help your family get ready for the pace and the content of the Foundations program:

Bible
Search out, display, and memorize scriptures as your family "mottos" on topics like diligence for the year ahead. You
may wish to get a gentle "jump start" on the long scripture passages recommended for memorization in the year ahead.

English Grammar
Work lightly through an English text that is grade level appropriate for each (or all) of your Foundations children, to prepare them for certain terminology to be introduced in our memory work. Do grammar exercises aloud or written.

Geography
Familiarize your children with globes and maps with fun activites, use directions on the map, explore water and land masses, and begin tracing/drawing locations, so this is not a challenge when it is introduced in Foundations.

History
Read together a history series that covers the topics for the upcoming cycle, such as The Story of the World, to gain an "big picture" understanding, so that more detailed reading/projects/studies can take place at home, throughout the academic year, as the new memory work is introduced each week. Movies may be incorporated, as well as field trips, or other projects, to begin to provide "learning pegs" even before the history facts are introduced, and then memorized.

Latin
You may wish to begin to work through Latin's Not So Tough beginner levels, Latin for Children, or another elementary Latin program, to familarize your students with the Latin, (but this is not a requirement of the Foundations program).

Math
Introduce or review the Multiplication Tables, plus the cubes and squares, especially if your children are new to them.

Science
Spend lots of time outside playing in nature. Read books including some science topics covered in the upcoming cycle.

Timeline
Organize and preview the timeline cards and begin to read through the information provided on the back of the cards. This is one of the most challenging subjects for some families to "keep up" with, so a "gentle start" can be helpful here. Read books and view movies/documentaries on some of the history topics covered in the timeline cards, as there will not be sufficient time for all of the world events to be studied weekly, at this level of detail, during the busy school year.