Don't let the routine of the school day lull you into a false sense of security. Finishing workbooks may keep the kids occupied, but real experiences are a necessary part of learning and should remain high on your list of priorities. To understand what they read and hear, kids need to be able to make a mental picture.
Facts alone become meaningless because they have no frame of reference.
Experience allows them a greater depth of understanding, and, therefore, results in longer retention. There are a wide variety of ways to provide experiences, many of which are very inexpensive. Check your newspapers, libraries, department of parks and recreation, and tour centers for listings of opportunities in your area. Call businesses directly for information regarding tours of their facilities. Look at the types available, since some require registration as early as February.