Summer

Boy, Is It Hot!
July 2, 2025

Boy, is it Hot! 5 Ideas for Homeschool Summer Learning

Homeschooling parents are often accused of turning ordinary events into learning opportunities – even in the summer! Out here in Illinois where Rainbow Resource Center is located, the summer months are often hot and humid. This heat inspired me to think of some summer learning ideas to explore in your homeschool!

Games with Summertime Vibes
June 23, 2025

3 Fun Games with Summertime Vibes

I love board games any time of the year but as Summer approaches, I am thinking about games that have a summer “vibe” and/or travel well for trips to the beach, picnics, camping or wherever else summer takes you! Here are three fabulous games that I have played and chosen that remind me of summer or that I have packed and played away from home. 

Bald Eagles: The Birds Behind the Symbol Unit Study
June 20, 2025

Bald Eagles: The Birds Behind the Symbol Unit Study

Welcome to our June unit study in celebration of National Bald Eagle Day celebrated annually on June 20th. This short unit study is designed to take an hour and serve as a springboard for your children to go deeper into topics they would like to learn more about this Summer. As we work through the study, you will notice some words in blue–these are hyperlinked to child-friendly sites to provide more information. As always, supervised online time is recommended although at the time this unit was written, we have verified the content in the included links. Gather your children and let’s begin!

Games to Travel With
June 19, 2025

6 Fun Games to Travel With This Summer

What fits into a 9 ½” x 6” space and is more fun than a whole barrel of monkeys on a rainy vacation day? You guessed it — these six games, which come in small boxes, but pack loads of vacation fun for the whole family!

The Laughter & Fun of Summer
June 16, 2025

The Laughter & Fun of Summer: 6 Ways to Bond as Family

Here’s the reality, you get 18 summers with your child…gulp! Spend them wisely and make the most of your time as you learn and make memories together! Here are some great ways to bond as a family thoughout the summer months.

Habit Building: Start This Summer!
June 2, 2025

Habit Building: 5 Steps to Help You Start This Summer!

“If at first you don’t succeed, try try again.” How many times have we heard this saying or have said this to our children? When we are learning a new skill, whether baking, a sport, crafting, or math homework, practice does make progress! We have this mentality when it comes to learning new things. What about when we are developing a new habit?

Rainbow Resource 2025 Book Contest: Time Travel Tales
May 5, 2025

Rainbow Resource 2025 Book Contest: Time Travel Tales

Summertime at Rainbow Resource Center means it’s time for our annual writing contest! Students from ages 7 to 18 (by January 1, 2025) who wish to participate will write and illustrate an original story involving time travel. Two or more winners in each age group are selected by a team of Rainbow Resource judges and will win cash prizes. One of these winners is selected as the Grand Prize Winner and will be published and sold on our website! Keep reading to learn more about the official rules and how to participate.

Summer Days Slipping Away?
August 12, 2024

Summer Days Slipping Away? 3 Ways to Make the Most of Them

You can feel the summer days slipping away, but how can you make the most of what’s left? It may be easier than you think! Here are some ideas for carving out more of those moments that matter, while ending the summer rested and refreshed.

Summer Schooling
June 12, 2024

5 Summer Schooling Activities to Spice Up Your Break

While many find themselves enjoying the lazy days of summer, some of us find ourselves restless – in need of more direction. If this describes you, here are a few ideas to spice up your summer through fun and educational learning opportunities!

Dog Days of Summer
August 6, 2022

The Dog Days of Summer: A Unit Study

Miserably hot and humid, the Dog Days are the longest and hottest days of the year that happen to all of us, whether we have dogs or not! Depending on the latitude and the earth’s tilt, the Dog Days of Summer occurs between early July through mid- August in the Northern Hemisphere and late January through early March in the Southern Hemisphere. Join us this month to learn about idioms and the history and science of the hottest days of the year.