Stay home and stay safe. If your student is overloaded with work, have them work with their teachers and administrators to request extensions or accommodations where needed. (Parents, dont be jealousyou can make forts, tooand even take your conference call from inside your fort, if you want to.). Resources for Families During the Coronavirus Pandemic. For gratitude, an easy option to start your day would be to talk about three good or positive things. Age-Appropriate Chores. SheKnows.com. Trust that everyone is doing their best (whatever their best looks like on a given day) and trust that everyone has the childrens best interest at heart are a couple of others. 5) Understand and be honest and open about what you (and your student) can and cannot reasonably take on and complete given everything you have going on outside of school responsibilities, and be open to working with your student and their teachers and school administrators. You will need to determine, based on the number and ages of children, your work schedule, and any other constraints, what subjects you want to teach and can manage to do so with minimal stress. Retrieved April 19, 2020, from https://www.roblox.com/, Wiess, S. R. (2020a). However, we can control our reaction to it by staying safe, keeping our family safe, and following the Center for Disease Control (CDC) (2020) guidelines posted here: In my experience homeschooling and working full time (from various locations and time zones), the biggest lesson I learned was that I needed to be organized, but also flexible. A visual representation of the five dysfunctions Lencioni identifies is shown below. Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://www.earthcam.com/events/animalcams/, National University Library. 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. Roblox. Free Printable Homeschool Planners. 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. I present to you the conference call activity challenge for today (03/17/2020): Conference Call Bingo (with your kiddos)! 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. These are legally optional. There are so many different aspects and layers of trust, as well. Either way, you will need to allocate time for schooling for your children and for your work. Lets face it, we are all in survival mode right now, and trying to claim anything else would be misleading. In work environments, especially when working on projects, everyone has clearly defined roles and responsibilities which are laid out on a project plan. Just take one step at a time and focus on one goal at a time. Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://nu.libguides.com/CommonCore/ccss_publishers. See below for our experience transitioning our kids from homeschooling to public school and considerations/lessons-learned that you might find helpful. 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. Almost three years later, I can tell you that it was the right choice for both of them, without a doubt. But, there is also so much that is fully within our control. You will need to determine what is best for you and your children. Carter, Christine. Retrieved March 16, 2020, from, Zao-Sanders, Marc. Yes, movies sometimes work, but how about something possibly more fun (for you and for them)? Note that this option and how it is implemented differs greatly per state. You dont need to go crazy buying organizing supplies. Focusonthefamily.com. 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. An example of this is a new kindergartener starting homeschool in the first year of school eligibility. https://medium.com/taskworld-blog/lencionis-5-dysfunctions-of-a-team-330d58b2cd81. With everyone rushing around trying to figure out what they are going to do for the fall, it is important to also pause, step back, and consider how the plans you make for the fall fit into your future educational plans. We cannot control what this pandemic has become or is about to become or the ripple effects it may cause. 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. Also, be sure that you are fully informed about what activities are offered or not offered for any who opt into remote or distance learning through the school, as this likely differs on a district by district or school by school basis. The state regulations say that families MAY submit a Notice of Intent to homeschool and participate in portfolio reviews. Make a fort out of anything you like (Amazon boxes, sheets, blankets, etc.). 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. Its important that parents, educators and administrators clearly define what the goals are and monitor progress toward those goals. Accountability involves all levels, including our children consistently being held responsible for their work. 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. (These are usually set at the state-level and enforced at the district or school-level. Retrieved April 19, 2020, from https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/age-appropriate-chores/, Grown and Flown. Other paid options exist for states which do not offer state virtual schools, like K12, ConnectionsAcademy, although many others exist, as well (Connections Academy, 2020; K12, 2020). You are the parent, and you know what is best for your children. (2020). Montana requires a notice of intent to homeschool to be submitted to the local Superintendent of Schools, but does not require any other forms or portfolio review, etc. 4) Ensure that roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and identify how each will be held accountable and how opportunities for improvements will be identified, evaluated, and implemented. Educators need to be able to express concerns to parents and administrators when things arent working for them, their class, or even particular students. You can use an existing bingo card, plenty of which are posted for free online. If any of you are like me, you started your working and homeschooling balancing act by trying to explain to your children how important work is, and how you have to focus (and they have to be quiet) while you are on work calls. 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 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.). CommonSenseMedia.org. Trust that everyone is working toward a common goal, for example, is one type of trust. Best of luck with this years educational adventures. At those times, my kids were at the ages where they needed more hands-on help and their school workload was higher, so it worked well for us. Or, are you not comfortable sending your children to school at all until there is a vaccine, for example? Connections Academy. 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. You will need to research your options in your area if this is a deciding factor for you. Patrick Lencioni wrote a book called, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, which gives a simple, straightforward way to think about what is needed for teams to function well and to thrive. You can make, download and print your own bingo card at sites like BingoBaker, accessible here: https://bingobaker.com/ Yet another alternative is to keep your call off speaker, but let your kids mark off the square on the bingo, and you tell them when the criteria has been met. (n.d.). The key is not to be happy or unhappy about the approaches, but to be informed. Florida is more strict, but does have umbrella schools that allow for smoother navigation of the requirements. (n.d.). (n.d.). SheKnows.com. You can ask the school about options for continuing distance learning (if they dont already include that as an option in their fall plans). A few of the things that are currently within our control are: 1) our reactions to the current situation, 2) our attitudes, 3) our schedule and 4) our space. 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). Retrieved April 19, 2020 from https://grownandflown.com/soft-skills-for-teens/, Minecraft. If you are unsure, Common Sense Media is a great place to start. For those who are not experienced or knowledgeable about publishers used for K-12 education, the National University Library System has a list on their website, accessible here: https://nu.libguides.com/CommonCore/ccss_publishers. Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/, Common Sense Media. (2020). When you get stressed or overwhelmed, just remember that surviving is all you and your family need to do right now, and the rest will all work out eventually. The truth is that our kids (or any of us, for that matter) have never learned or gone to school (in person, hybrid or online) during a global pandemic. (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. Headspace, a mindfulness and meditation app, is providing a series of their meditations for free in the midst of the current situation. Welltrainedmind.com. While I worked and homeschooled, I had a variety of types of jobs, all technical/knowledge-working jobs, some with more flexibility than others. Ultimately, only you can decide what is best for you and your children. Its also important to understand what is and what is not likely to happen in the next year curriculum and academic-wise and how that might impact you and your children. There are a few things to consider. Hopefully, you have found this content helpful, and are on your way to planning a (relativelythey are our awesome kids, after all) calm, fun and enjoyable adventure educating your children at home while working. Retrieved March 19, 2020, from https://hellobestow.com/blog/gratitude-games/, Headspace. The fourth consideration is the schedule of the subjects you have selected to teach. They had to tell us the recommended ages by Common Sense Media, parents and kids and were only allowed to watch movies, play games or download/use apps that were 2 years over the lowest age recommended out of the three. 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. Weathering the Storm. 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. Remote Learning with Khan Academy During School Closures. Just take a few deep breaths and enjoy the time you have with your kids, because they really do grow up so fast, and this pandemic and chaos will eventually pass. Digital Passport. (n.d.). In my previous post, I noted that some schools and some districts are providing work for their students, which is great! Are you comfortable sending your children to school in the fall if they are physically opened for attendance? Retrieved April 19, 2020, from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews, Focus on the Family. If you have chosen to homeschool instead of opt into distance learning through your school, and the option is temporary, you may wish to file the notice of intent to homeschool and proceed to work closely with the school to ensure the smoothest transition back into the school when the time is right. It is important to be fully informed of all legal and regulatory requirements prior to making your choice, so that you are making a fully-informed choice. Administrators need to be able to raise concerns when they see inactivity and absences, to agree or disagree with reasons behind them, and then for everyone to be able to constructively discuss options for solutions, and even test out different solutions (and yes, sometimes fail and try something else). Many other options exist, just be sure that you are accessing them through sites that you trust. If you have decided that you are not yet comfortable physically sending your kids back to a school building, thinking through some of the following questions might be helpful in deciding between distance learning (assuming this option is available/offered through your school) and homeschooling: 1) Do you want to choose your own curriculum, make your own lesson plans, etc., or do you want to assist your children in completing teacher-assigned activities? 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!). Everything you need to organize your area is probabily already in your home. Retrieved June 24, 2020, from https://www.k12.com/. 3) Clear out, setup and organize your dedicated storage area for your schoolwork and related supplies. To this day, we stand by that rule and have had very few issues. The two most commonly tested subjects in standardized testing tend to be math and language arts, so when we homeschooled, we put the most emphasis on these two subjects, integrating the others as appropriate and as possible. One option is for grades 3-5, called Digital Passport, and is accessible here: https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-passport. As parents, educators, and administrators, (and our children) we are all part of a team with a common goal of ensuring that our children are safe, cared for, and that their learning is promoted and supported in all ways possible. 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/. Always be appreciative.). Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/resources-for-families-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic, Earthcam. (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.). (2020). Remember that you have options and that considering the short term and the long term will help smooth any future transitions for you and your children. 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. Yours will too. (n.d.). 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. If you plan to homeschool long-term or permanently, focusing on this alignment might not be quite as important or impactful. Retrieved June 24, 2020, from https://responsiblehomeschooling.org/policy-issues/current-policy/, Digital Learning Collaborative. Retrieved June 24, 2020, from https://hslda.org/legal, HSLDA. When trying to decide what is best, there are always multiple considerations. If you are teaching more than one child, you will need to decide, based on their ages, maturity levels and possibly reading levels, whether you need to plan separate work for each, or whether you can plan once and have them all working on the same work. 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. There are many misconceptions about homeschooling, in general, but especially with working and homeschooling. How School Closures Can Strengthen Your Family. Its challenging to ensure everyone is on the same page during a normal school year, but even more challenging during a global pandemic. As part of a successful, high-performing and well-functioning team, we have to work together as a team toward common goals, just like a sports team or a project team in an organization. What Ill provide below is a brief overview of some of the options for planning the work, starting with four considerations for doing so. 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. (n.d.). Enjoy! This is when choosing distance learning through the school, working with the school on curriculum or even taking advantage of optional portfolio reviews, or employing a certified teacher in a pandemic pod could work out better than doing what we did with creating a custom curriculum. (This is a big deciding factor that can save or cost you a lot of time and stress. (Note that this is not a comprehensive list.) For states who are planning in-person school options, many are still providing distance learning as an option, and homeschooling is always an additional option. To step back and take a look at what this truly means, it is helpful to have a lens through which to view this team and the relationships and responsibilities of the members of the team. More details about the rating systems used for the Common Sense Media ratings can be found here: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/about-us/our-mission/about-our-ratings. Retrieved March 19, 2020, from https://www.headspace.com/covid-19, Khan Academy (2020). Another point to consider is that you have every right to make the time spent educating your children as high a priority as any other meeting, so schedule it. Well, the best approach comes down to whether this is a temporary or long-term/permanent option for you and your family. Either way, some people are going to be happy and some unhappy, regardless of the plan or approach that is taken. These are accessible here: https://awakeandmindful.com/best-kids-yoga-videos-on-youtube/. 30 Gratitude Games and Activities for Kids to Practice Thankfulness. Retrieved June 24, 2020, from https://www.connectionsacademy.com/, CRHE. Our children need to be able to disagree and question things when concepts or instructions arent clear to them. The activities in the basket could be anything from printed mazes, cut and paste activities, manipulative for counting, coloring books, etc. (n.d.). Retrieved March 18, 2020, from https://www.khanacademy.org/about/blog/post/611770255064350720/remote-learning-with-khan-academy-during-school, Scholastic. Parents need to be able to bring concerns to educators and administrators when things arent working for them and their children. 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 19, 2020 from https://awakeandmindful.com/best-kids-yoga-videos-on-youtube/, Bestow. 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. 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? (2020). There are also many online tours of national parks, zoos, and aquariums. Common Core Resources: Textbook & Publisher Resources. Best Kids Yoga Videos on YouTube. (n.d.). Retrieved March 19, 2020, from https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html, STEAMsational. Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-passport, Common Sense Media. (n.d.). Retrieved June 24, 2020, from https://hslda.org/content/orgs/, K12.com. Here are a few suggestions of where we might start: 1) Develop (and ensure everyone knows and understands) clearly defined goals. The public school administrators where we are were extremely helpful in working with us to determine the best placement. 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. 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. A great list of them compiled by STEAMsational is accessible here: https://www.steamsational.com/free-printable-homeschool-planners/. (2019). A template for this can be found on many of the CT homeschooling group websites or Facebook pages. Homeschool Organizations. We made a decision years ago to provide some independence and ownership of content decisions to our kids, specifically for movies, games, and apps. There are actually more options than you would think, and you are your and your childrens best advocate. Youre Probably Homeschooling Way More Than You Need To. Common Sense Media includes reviews of some books, as well. Attention to results is the top and smallest portion of the pyramid. Common Sense Media. A lesson I learned the hard way many times is that they cant both be done (effectively) at the same time. I was in the same situation as many of you, having to figure out what to do to keep the toddler busy while working with the preschooler. Starting your day with gratitude and calm activities has been said to start your day off on a positive note. ), 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. What we sometimes forget, though, is that our kids are, as well. (2020). Making sure others respect your time is actually easier than it might seem at first. If this was or is you, trust me, you are not alone. The reality is that we need to accept that nothing is going to be perfect in this imperfect situation, so for the perfectionists out there (like myself), if we are surviving and our families are surviving, we are doing the best we can, and that is good enough. Small wins go a long way. Scholastic Learn at Home. Coronavirus (COVID-19). Digital Compass. (Various factors played into our decision, but one major factor for us was for the girls to have the option to participate in sports, clubs and other activities, and we were living in a location where they were districted into good schools.). There are so many options available to teach every subject, and many are free. Uncertainty and lack of direction and why can cause unnecessary stress and a lack of commitment. These are all considerations when building a foundation of trust in a remote or distance learning team with all parties involved. On a sports team, each team member (player, coach, manager) has to understand their role in the teams success to be committed to being the best in that role that they possibly can, thus maximizing their contribution to the team and the teams progress toward that goal. Our toddler also participated, at an age-appropriate level, in virtual field trips, science experiments, and other educational activities with her sister. (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.) Retrieved April 19, 2020, from https://welltrainedmind.com/a/what-are-the-non-core-subjects/?v=7516fd43adaa, Common Sense Media (n.d.). We homeschooled in many different locations, including a multifamily house where we had a full room dedicated to homeschooling, my parents house where we had an area in the basement, our family members kitchen counters, and even an RV, when we traveled around the US. Awake and Mindful has collected five yoga videos for kids that might be one option for a calm activity to start off the day. What if schools open in a blended format, where schedules are alternating day to day or am/pm? The state, on the other hand, wants to have as much control and oversight as possible, in many cases. This includes finding appropriate websites, movies, games, and applications, teaching your children about online safety and digital citizenship, and knowing how to distinguish between free, safe content and free, unsafe content. Minecraft Official Site. All movies, for example, have ratings from Common Sense Media, as well as a kids rating and a parents rating, but even more helpful are the details provided by Common Sense Media behind their specific rating. Here are a few options, as examples: CDC. Then, your stress levels went through the roof when it didnt all go smoothly with calm, quiet kids and dedicated focus for you. (The first is required if choosing homeschooling and not purchasing a pre-packaged curriculum or enrolling your children in a full-time online school.