How We’re Quarantine Schooling
Quarantine Schooling was thrust upon us on Friday afternoon, March 20. I don’t think anyone felt prepared. The teachers. The kids. The parents. The next week was kind of a mess. Big emotions for all of us. An assortment of random assignments and computer sites and messages from teachers. Me trying to calmly sort through it all and make some kind of plan that made sense…and largely failing.
But I’m starting to feel like I’ve found a rhythm that works for us most days so I thought I would share the things that are working, in case they’ll work for you too.
First, we made a list of WANT TO DOs. We used this printable from Elisa Blaha and wrote down as many things as we could think of that we COULD do from home.
Second, I created a new schedule for us. This is NOT to say that you need a schedule. My kids, in particular, seem to thrive best when they know what to expect. Going into a day with no idea what’s coming next seems to stress them out. We use these visual schedule cards year round at our house to create a loose schedule every day. I’ve laminated these cards and attached magnets (I use this so I can cut it to whatever size I want) so that it’s easy for me to move things around. Every night before bed I quickly put the next day’s schedule up on the fridge.
So, what does that schedule look like right now?
Our general routine is below. You’ll notice there are no times. This is intentional. Things take longer or get cut short depending on our moods and interests and that’s good – that’s one of the perks of homeschooling and I’m embracing all the perks I can see.
QUARANTINE LIFE RHYTHMS
GET UP whenever they get up. I love that I don’t have to pull them out of bed anymore to hurry up to school.
BREAKFAST and Skype with someone. We’ve been chatting for about 30 minutes with a grandparents or aunt or friend most mornings. It doesn’t take the place of seeing friends every morning on the way to school but it’s nice to check in with people we love.
MOVEMENT Most days this is a walk, but we’ve also done yoga and four square and other movement as well.
SCHOOL
For about two hours each morning we do “schoolwork”. This is the part I’ve struggled with getting to work the most. I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments that most kids don’t need to do much during this quarantine period and they’ll be fine. They’re all in the same boat. They will all keep learning by reading and just engaging with you anyways.
However, my daughter’s dyslexia requires more rote instruction. She doesn’t pick things up through osmosis the way most kids do and she’s already behind in most things. I don’t feel comfortable letting go of school completely. I don’t even do that in the summer.
On top of that we’ve gotten a confusing onslaught of “optional” work from their teachers and an every changing list of things to do. I know it’s a transition period but the scheduler in me is struggling.
I’ve been trying to balance it all – I want her to keep progressing and in some ways this is a great opportunity for some more 1-on-1 tutoring. I want them to get done whatever they NEED to do, but I also don’t want to stress myself or either of them out.
SO for about two hours a day we do some combination of these things below:
- Games (My Little Poppies is my go-to resource here)
- Lots of reading aloud (need booklists?)
- Writing together and learning to use email.
- Spelling and Reading work (I love this practical handbook for parents of children with dyslexia)
- Math – games, fun activities based on general theme school was supposed to cover (that’s fractions right now), prodigy
- Movement breaks
- Science activities
LUNCH TIME and DOODLES we’ve been doodling with Mo and with JJK every day.
QUIET INDEPENDENT SCREEN TIME and nebbing for me.
SNACK with Lego Challenge (here’s the 30 day challenge we’re doing) and a craft (we’re working our way through this book of crafts from around the world right now)
PLAY TIME with facetiming friends and games via skype or just open play time.
OUTSIDE TIME
DINNER, BATH, STORIES, BED same as always.
This may seem like a lot to some. Some might think we’re totally slacking. It’s working for us though. My kids are mostly happy and I’m not too stressed – until I start scrolling through my phone again.
What’s working for you?
