There are seasons when we crave grand adventures and full calendars, and there are seasons when we are called to quieter, slower times. Over time, I’ve learned that some of the sweetest moments of summer are often the simplest ones: slow mornings before the heat settles in, children barefoot in the yard, books left open on the table, music drifting through the house while something simmers quietly in the kitchen. These ordinary days may not appear remarkable at first glance, but we soon learn that they are the ones we remember most dearly.
This July Morning Time was created with that kind of gentle summer learning in mind. Not rushed or overfilled, but thoughtful, beautiful, and steady. Inside this month’s Morning Time you’ll find a peaceful collection of summer themes including butterflies, seaside artwork, God’s faithfulness, simple handwork, beautiful music, and a seasonal recipe to enjoy together. If you are new to Morning Time, you may also enjoy browsing the Morning Time Library for additional monthly studies and seasonal resources, or pairing this bundle with the Gentle Weekly Rhythm Planner to help create simple and sustainable homeschool rhythms in your home.
I hope this July Morning Time offers your family not only meaningful learning, but also space for wonder, rest, conversation, and the joy of learning together slowly.
A Few Lessons for Summer
Here are a couple of things I’ve learned about myself:
- I tend to fear wasting time.
- Lazy days, quiet moments, meandering without a plan – all of these are things that do not come easily to me. I desire to have them, but my nature resists them to some degree. I still have so far to go, but slowly I am learning that days like these can be just as fulfilling as a day filled to the brim. Some days will be full of adventure and breathtaking moments; one in a million experiences, all-encompassing happenings. But not every day will be lived in this way. And – maybe more importantly – not every day needs to be lived in this way. There is a place for stillness.
- Sometimes I unwrap things for others that are meant to be unwrapped by themselves.
- A good example of this is when I rush my children to the conclusion of a life lesson that was meant for them to learn. Instead of waiting and allowing them to work through things on their own I jump ahead. Oftentimes I believe I do this in these blog posts, as well. There is an incredible amount of beauty, truth, and goodness in these bundles, much of which I have already unpacked for myself as I prepare them. Sometimes I want to unpack it all for you, making sure you don’t miss anything. BUT my position here is not to steal the joy of unwrapping the gift from you, it is to present you with the gift and allow you to unpack the box yourself.
In many ways, this Morning Time was created as an invitation to slow down a little more intentionally and to rediscover the beauty of simple summer days. I hope it feels like a a beautifully wrapped gift ready for you to enjoy and unwrap yourself.
The July bundle is full of some very simple, sweet summer pleasures meant to help you enjoy the summer season; purposefully and slowly. I hope it is one you enjoy.
Click here to download the July 2021 Morning Time Bundle
JULY MORNING TIME MUSIC STUDY
Our July composition can be found here: North Sea Pictures Op.390 – by Johann Strauss II
You can read more about Johann Strauss Jr.’s life here: Classics for Kids: Johann Strauss II
You can here more of his music here: Classics for Kids: Shows
POETRY FOR JULY MORNING TIME
Our poem this month is a sweet summer poem that I hope you truly enjoy.
The poem can be found here: Barefoot Days by Rachel Field
Read more about our poet, Rachel Field, here: Rachel Field Biography
You can find other poems by Rachel Field here: Rachel Field Poems.
JULY ART STUDY
This month’s art study, Sea Gulls and Sapphire Seas by Robert Gemmell Hutchison, is a beautiful depiction of summertime.
You can find this months art piece here: Sea Gulls and Sapphire Seas by Robert Gemmell Hutchison
You can find a biography of this month’s artist here: Jenna Burlingham: Robert Gemmell Hutchison
To view other works by Ward click here: Wiki Gallery: Robert Gemmell Hutchison
SCRIPTURE STUDY: THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD
Month 2 of an 18 month series on the Character Qualities of God. God is Faithful!!
Deuteronomy 7:9 – “Know therefore that the Lord they God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.
Vocabulary:
Faithful – steadfast in affection or allegiance, firm in adherence to promises or observance of duty, given with strong assurance.
Key Concept – God always keeps his promises because that is who he is. His children can trust him because he will always do what he says.
Corresponding scriptures:
II Timothy 2:13 – If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
Hebrews 10:23 – Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised..
Here is a link to help guide you as you help your child(ren) understand that God is eternal: Focus on the Family – Reflecting God’s Faithfulness
BUTTERFLY NATURE STUDY FOR JULY
This month we will be studying the Butterfly using The Handbook of Nature Study to help direct our learning. The morning time bundle will help guide you through this process.
Here are some online resources that are linked in the bundle and may be used in your studies:
Monarch Migration | Fun Facts About Butterflies | The Good and The Beautiful
SUMMER HANDCRAFT
A little craft to compliment this month’s recipe of refrigerated bread and butter pickles. There are two options for this months craft: hand embroidery or the use of a fabric pen. Either one is a cute option and instructions are listed for both!
The link included in this bundle, to hep with transferring an embroidery pattern to fabric is linked here in case you need it.
CHARACTER STUDY: BENJAMIN HARRISON
This month we are studying the life of President Benjamin Harrison.
You can find The Ultimate Guide to the Presidents section for Benjamin Harrison here: The Ultimate Guide to the Presidents: Executive Retreat skip to 33:04 – 34:45.
The Big Book of Presidents: From George Washington to Barack Obama by Nancy Hajeski
A brief visit to his historic birthplace can be found here: Benjamin Harrison National Historic Site
Learn about Harrison’s home here: National Park Service: Benjamin Harrison Home
SUMMER RECIPE: REFRIGERATOR BREAD & BUTTER PICKLES
A sweet summer treat doesn’t always come in the form of a dessert! This month we’re using some of summer’s bounty to make delicious Refrigerator Bread and Butter Pickles. You don’t want to miss this recipe…they’re so good!
A GENTLE MORNING TIME SCHEDULE
Included is a simple guide to help you gently move through the month’s studies at your own pace. It includes 4 weeks of a suggested learning rotation that will help you cover all of the topics included over the course of the month. This is simply a guide. You can add to or take from it as you wish and as your learning leads you.
Thank you for allowing these Morning Time studies to become a small part of your family’s rhythms and learning together. I hope these bundles bless your family time together and that ultimately they draw you closer to Christ who loves you so dearly. Wishing you a gentle and meaningful summer season together.
**Please note: Some external links shared in this post may change or no longer be available over time. I encourage you to use them as a starting point for your own exploration.**
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