Many parents are waiting for the school or school district to provide the details of the lessons your children will be assigned while they are out of school. (Note that we do still have the requirement that they add us on all social media accounts so that we can monitor their activities there if we choose to do so.) (n.d.). Organizing any extra items needed (for science experiments, for example) over the weekend for the entire week will also help make your work/homeschool days flow much smoother. You can choose to homeschool your children with you being the primary teacher (as opposed to distance-learning where you are assisting your children with work assigned by their teacher). (These are usually set at the state-level and enforced at the district or school-level. Schedules created and posted in a common location provide clarity to everyone involved and help the parents avoid questions like what are we doing today? and what subjects are we working on today? There are many free printable planners and schedules available online. Retrieved April 19, 2020 from https://grownandflown.com/soft-skills-for-teens/, Minecraft. They are asking because they truly care about your children and your input. One combined list of these is accessible on EarthCam.com, here: https://www.earthcam.com/events/animalcams/. KEY POINT: You do not have to replicate your full workday and the full school day, so give yourself a break and get rid of that expectation right away. Are you comfortable sending your children to school in the fall, as long as CDC guidelines for schools are followed (CDC, 2020)? Are you comfortable sending your children to school in the fall if they are physically opened for attendance? (2020). Although Im not fully convinced that this is the best approach to managing your time, the concept of Timeboxing is similar to the approach Ive recommended above. We also chose to provide our girls with education regarding proper behavior online, rather than feeling the need to constantly police them and their online activities. As you wrap up the day, after allowing your kids to play and relax for the first day, take three deep breaths and smile, knowing that you completed some planning and organizing, and that you are on your way. Remote Learning with Khan Academy During School Closures. Its important to have an honest conversation with your family and make the decision that is best for you, and to communicate that through these surveys. Without clearly defined roles and goals, it is difficult to hold team members accountable for their contributions to the team and to the teams success. Either way, you will need to allocate time for schooling for your children and for your work. Retrieved March 19, 2020, from https://www.headspace.com/covid-19, Khan Academy (2020). For those that had more meetings than others, I allocated the time for the meetings first, and then figured out what schoolwork I could fit in. Lets face it, we are all in survival mode right now, and trying to claim anything else would be misleading. (Remember to make the award something you can make, give or do with them at home, and that they can have or do after your conference call is over.). Write a list of the equipment you used to make your fort. If you would like to explore this option, a great start is to review your state on both the CRHE and HSLDA websites, start searching for local and regional homeschool associations (the HSLDA has a great resource for this, as well), and begin searching for curriculum options (which can come in fully pre-packaged curriculum options to fully customized curriculum that you pick and choose from resources on publishers sites and Amazon.com book sales, for example) (HSLDA, n.d.2). There are many misconceptions about homeschooling, in general, but especially with working and homeschooling. At this point, state and local boards of education are doing the best they can with the little information they have to plan for something none of us have ever had to deal with before. Retrieved April 19, 2020, from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews, Focus on the Family. In my personal opinion, consistency in accountability, especially for online learners, is fundamental to their success, I believe, but it takes everyone involved being on the same page to maintain an appropriate level of accountability. Here are a few options, as examples: CDC. (n.d.). ), 3) Do you think you might want to send your students back to school in person either some time this year or in future years? Will you and your children be ok with this or able to handle any repetition or boredom by supplementing with other activities? You dont have to wait until plans for the fall are released to figure out what you are comfortable (and not comfortable) with. The first major hurdle for the transition was figuring out what grade they should be in. Free Printable Homeschool Planners. (n.d.). If your remote/distance learning/homeschooling is only planned to be temporary, keeping as close to the curriculum their classmates are learning in school will make for the smoothest transition when the time comes for them to go to school and join their classmates again. Below, I will provide a few options and considerations for finding content for your children that is age-appropriate and safe for them, as well as being safe for you and your computer. (n.d.). When trying to decide what is best, there are always multiple considerations. When we homeschooled, for earlier years, where I had many conference calls, and the kids were younger, we used videos for most of the elective subjects and studied each subject almost every day. For example, Connecticut only requires a notice of withdrawal, legally, but does recommend (only a recommendation, not a legal requirement) a notice of intent to homeschool and portfolio review. It is also very important to note, especially when you are reading and researching your options, that there are two extremes to the homeschooling debate or conversation, especially in Connecticut, but it is likely evident elsewhere, as well. Scholastic Learn at Home. ), 2) Do you (and your student) want the ability or option to participate in after school activities? For gratitude, an easy option to start your day would be to talk about three good or positive things. It is nice to have a separate table, countertop, or other area that you could leave your work out on all the time, but in most cases, this is not an option. Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-passport, Common Sense Media. Some of the common misconceptions include: Lets attempt to address these one by one. Game Reviews. The ability to have an open and honest discussion with their teacher, administrator, or even boss, is a skill that will only help them in their future. What is Montessori Education? One option is for grades 3-5, called Digital Passport, and is accessible here: https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-passport. Having a dedicated space will allow you to put everything away in a neat and orderly fashion after every day, so that it is available and easy to access the following day. Note that this option and how it is implemented differs greatly per state. (n.d.2). (This is in no way intended to imply that they wont help you, since we have always experienced the exact opposite, especially when in direct contact with teachers, administrators, etc. Homeschool Organizations. Its challenging to ensure everyone is on the same page during a normal school year, but even more challenging during a global pandemic. The last thing we need is to waste time searching for books, pencils, paper and other supplies while we are trying to work and homeschool. Retrieved March 18, 2020, from https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSZhOdEPAWjUQpqDkVAlJrFwxxZ9Sa6zGOq0CNRms6Z7DZNq-tQWS3OhuVCUbh_-P-WmksHAzbsrk9d/pub, Khan Academy. (n.d.). These can be accessed here: https://www.headspace.com/covid-19. With the quick pivot to distance learning in the spring, and the large disparities with technology access and related issues, the schools and districts are still working to get some students caught up on their work from the spring. The pause for them is a huge change and requires adjustment, but provides an opportunity for us, as parents, to teach them how to slow down and be ok with being bored or finding their own activities. Coronavirus (COVID-19). ), As you think through the answers to these questions and others, I would like to share about our personal experience with the transition from homeschool to public school in Connecticut only a few years ago. While you are determining how much time you want to dedicate to your work, also consider if there are specific days or times of day that you have regularly scheduled meetings, deadlines for regular work, or other time-specific restrictions. While we await final proposals for opening of schools in the fall from states and local districts, we are all asking what if? What if schools open as usual in the fall at full capacity? Retrieved March 19, 2020, from https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html, STEAMsational. (Note that this is not a comprehensive list.) Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/, Common Sense Media. It is also an opportunity for us to find ways for our kids to help around the house and to teach them new life skills that are no longer taught in schools. (n.d.). at the schools themselves, but something to be aware of when asking them for assistance of any kind. There are actually more options than you would think, and you are your and your childrens best advocate. A template for this can be found on many of the CT homeschooling group websites or Facebook pages. In my classroom, I start my classes off by having my students volunteer to Tell me something good. The good things could literally be anything, and they have ranged from I had a good breakfast this morning, to My football team won last night. If you want to add variety or switch things up a bit, the Bestow Team created a list of 30 gratitude games and activities for kids, accessible here: https://hellobestow.com/blog/gratitude-games/. Some states and districts are surveying parents to find out their comfort level with the options listed above (or others, depending on the state and district). There are a few things to consider. Retrieved April 19, 2020, from https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/, Montessori Northwest. In fact, they have created a launch page for the current times, accessible here: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/resources-for-families-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic, Common Sense Media. Why not act like the dedicated school time is just another meeting? Stay home and stay safe. (2020). In Connecticut, the only thing you are legally required to do is file with your local board of education a letter of Notice of Withdrawal. If your student is overloaded with work, have them work with their teachers and administrators to request extensions or accommodations where needed. Awake and Mindful has collected five yoga videos for kids that might be one option for a calm activity to start off the day. While you are working on a schedule more customized to you, your kids and your work schedule, two companies, Khan Academy and Scholastic, have recently provided lesson plans and activities free for children who are now staying home due to school closings. 3) Identify the delivery mode you want to use for each subject and each child. The state regulations say that families MAY submit a Notice of Intent to homeschool and participate in portfolio reviews. How We Rate and Review. ), 4) If you choose homeschooling instead of distance learning, are you fully informed of any reporting requirements, regulations, etc. What we sometimes forget, though, is that our kids are, as well. What if schools open in a blended format, where schedules are alternating day to day or am/pm? What if schools are opened in a virtual-only format to start the school year and transition to blended or alternating schedule formats, or even full capacity later in the school year? Your child or children will be perfectly fine with a couple or a few hours of school-related work and other fun, educational activities while you focus on work. The CRHE and HSLDA do a great job of keeping up with the current state regulations and how they are implemented (along with your legal rights and options as a homeschooler) (CRHE, n.d.; HSLDA, n.d.). (n.d.). I will gather and post a list of the supplies I always kept on hand soon. You can then try to save each others sanity by intermittently saying or doing the things you know are on the card, so that everyone has a chance to keep their kids engaged, but quiet (because shhhwe have to hear what is going on, so we dont miss out on a bingo square!). Roblox. But, there is also so much that is fully within our control. Enjoy! Common Sense Media provides two different options for digital citizenship education. The standard subjects tend to include math, language arts, science, history or social studies, art, technology, health, physical education, and music. The rule for our girls was that they had to look at all movies, games, and apps up on Common Sense Media and bring them to us prior to asking the question of whether they could play, watch or download something. Retrieved March 18, 2020, from https://www.khanacademy.org/about/blog/post/611770255064350720/remote-learning-with-khan-academy-during-school, Scholastic. We cannot control what this pandemic has become or is about to become or the ripple effects it may cause. Retrieved June 24, 2020, from https://www.connectionsacademy.com/, CRHE. Remember the CDC guidelines and be innovative in your organization and space planning. When you are planning your days, you will first need to decide how much time you want (or need) to spend with your focus dedicated to your work (in meetings, for example), and how much time you want to spend homeschooling your child (or children). For other jobs, like when I administered analytics servers, I had more flexibility to design my work day around the desired school schedule. One is that everyone (or nearly everyone) you work with is in the same boat right now, so they understand the need to balance, and you shouldnt be shy about sharing what you are trying to accomplish. In the middle of the fall, we collectively decided that it was time for the girls to attend public school. Youre Probably Homeschooling Way More Than You Need To. In my previous post, I noted that some schools and some districts are providing work for their students, which is great! We made a decision years ago to provide some independence and ownership of content decisions to our kids, specifically for movies, games, and apps. 4) *BONUS* You can also take an inventory of what you have for school supplies (paper, pencils, pens, markers, crayons, glue, scizzors, stapler, tape, whole punch, etc.). (The first is required if choosing homeschooling and not purchasing a pre-packaged curriculum or enrolling your children in a full-time online school. (2019). You will need to research your options in your area if this is a deciding factor for you. Educators need to be able to express concerns to parents and administrators when things arent working for them, their class, or even particular students. Its important that parents, educators and administrators clearly define what the goals are and monitor progress toward those goals. Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/about-us/our-mission/about-our-ratings, Common Sense Media. If you are unsure, Common Sense Media is a great place to start. These are legally optional. Connections Academy. The key is not to be happy or unhappy about the approaches, but to be informed. (2020). Literally blocking it off on your calendar and communicating your schedule with your bosses and colleagues will make sure you are all on the same page and that everyone will respect that time. For later years (grades 3-5 and 6-8) we elected to study math and language arts every day, and study science, history/social studies, art and music one day per week each, leaving the additional day (which happened to be Friday for us) for making up work we didnt complete earlier in the week. The second is what is being referred to as remote or distance learning, or, in our district, cooperative distance learning, which I think describes this option very well. Your next steps are: 1) Identify the age groups of the children you are educating and whether they need to be planned separately or if the plan and content can be the same. This is not true, legally. Parents need to be able to bring concerns to educators and administrators when things arent working for them and their children. (Also, in Connecticut, if your children were never enrolled in a public or private school, no notice of any kind needs to be filed. What Are the Non-Core Subjects?. Either way, some people are going to be happy and some unhappy, regardless of the plan or approach that is taken. (2020). Minecraft Official Site. How might this impact your childs motivation to do their schoolwork? You can ask the school about options for continuing distance learning (if they dont already include that as an option in their fall plans). Retrieved April 19, 2020, from https://montessori-nw.org/what-is-montessori-education, Roblox. CommonSenseMedia.org. There are also many online tours of national parks, zoos, and aquariums. However, with everything clearly defined and with trust, constructive conflict and commitment, holding each other accountable for their respective parts becomes much easier, and does not need to involve finger pointing or other negative non-constructive behaviors. Instead of trying to convince your kids why they should be quiet and calm during your conference calls and hoping for the best, you might try giving them specific activities to keep them busy during these times. that you will be bound by? Focusonthefamily.com. A lesson I learned the hard way many times is that they cant both be done (effectively) at the same time. Best of luck with this years educational adventures. In all honesty, because we got sick of answering the question of Can we watch? questions, we came up with a specific rule to guide their choices. Some subjects that lend themselves to video lessons are art, music, history, and even physical education, for example. When I started homeschooling and working from home, we had one preschooler and one toddler. Retrieved March 16, 2020 from, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/schools.html, https://responsiblehomeschooling.org/policy-issues/current-policy/, https://www.digitallearningcollab.com/state-virtual-schools, Common Misconceptions about Working and Homeschooling, https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/2218929/how-many-hours-homeschooling-per-day/, https://welltrainedmind.com/a/what-are-the-non-core-subjects/?v=7516fd43adaa, https://montessori-nw.org/what-is-montessori-education, https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/slideshow/2173553/coronavirus-school-closings-keep-kids-busy/1/, https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews, https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/age-appropriate-chores/, https://grownandflown.com/soft-skills-for-teens/, https://www.commonsensemedia.org/about-us/our-mission/about-our-ratings, https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-passport, https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-compass, https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/kid-safe-browsers-and-search-sites, https://nu.libguides.com/CommonCore/ccss_publishers, https://www.earthcam.com/events/animalcams/, https://www.commonsensemedia.org/resources-for-families-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic, https://www.steamsational.com/free-printable-homeschool-planners/, https://www.khanacademy.org/about/blog/post/611770255064350720/remote-learning-with-khan-academy-during-school, https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSZhOdEPAWjUQpqDkVAlJrFwxxZ9Sa6zGOq0CNRms6Z7DZNq-tQWS3OhuVCUbh_-P-WmksHAzbsrk9d/pub, https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html, https://awakeandmindful.com/best-kids-yoga-videos-on-youtube/, https://hellobestow.com/blog/gratitude-games/, https://www.dropbox.com/s/xbwyrg21rbg79fj/conferencecallbingo.pdf?dl=0, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html, https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_school_closures_can_strengthen_your_family, https://hbr.org/2018/12/how-timeboxing-works-and-why-it-will-make-you-more-productive. You dont need to go crazy buying organizing supplies. While the kids play, you can plan your day(s). The answer to this question can provide further guidance for what choice might be best for you and your family, on top of the obvious comfort level with sending them to a physical school building in August or September. ), So, with this conflicting guidance and information, what should you do? Retrieved June 24, 2020, from https://www.k12.com/. (2020). Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/kid-safe-browsers-and-search-sites, Common Sense Media. Yes, movies sometimes work, but how about something possibly more fun (for you and for them)? SheKnows.com. These are all considerations when building a foundation of trust in a remote or distance learning team with all parties involved. To commit to common goals, everyone on the team has to be aware of the goals, understand why those goals are important, and be aware and accepting of their role in helping the team attain those goals. The one thing that all of those spaces had in common was a dedicated space to store all of our supplies and work. An alternative is to make your own bingo card that might be more age-appropriate, like one with silly words or um and uh, for example, that might be easy for little ones to pick up on during the call.
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