Quarantine and Home School 😩😩

I must admit, I’ve had my fair share of laughs at all the Memes. Actually, if I’m honest they are hysterical. Kids getting kicked out of class, suspended, sent to the principal’s office, and teachers getting fired for drinking on the job!  Lol!!  Who makes up these things? It is going be ok though, I promise! I’m sure every homeschool mom has found this all extremely amusing, but this home school mom is just here to help. 

Look I get it! This is not what you planned. Your child’s school year has been completely disrupted. You and your child are now being forced to adapt to something that neither of you are prepared for and it sucks. 

You’ve Got This!!!! Fix your crown sis, and remember you’re in charge. As mothers we were built to adapt, and homeschool is not permanent. Trust and believe, this too shall pass. Moms you don’t need a teaching degree to educate your child. You will always be their 1st teacher and that role will remain throughout their life. 

Now unlike me, you haven’t been given the opportunity to plan ahead and structure your life for this.  For me, this process began with months and months of research and planning. I had to research the best curriculums, accreditation’s, NCAA requirements, and state laws regarding home school. But given that we are in a Pandemic, I won’t bore you with that.  I just want to help you make it out. With that being said, let’s just throw out the  “How to Homeschool Advice”. Let’s get through this quarantine and the rest of the school year if that becomes our reality. 

Remember.....School at home doesn’t look like school at school

I think the biggest misconception about homeschooling is that your child should be spending as much time working at home as they do at school. My kids spend about 3 hours a day doing school work. My high schooler, maybe four (4) hours. If you have  a grade school child between Kindergarten -3rd grade; expect your school time to be about two (2) hours a day. When you have individualized learning, you are  able to accomplish a lot more in a short period of time.

Reading is essential just like toilet paper and hand sanitizer!

If you don’t do anything else, please devote time to read daily. Reading is your most influential skill and carries the biggest benefits. Reading is an Essential Business. Read aloud with your child everyday! My kids love to take turns reading with me.  Have your child read to grandma, auntie, cousin, anyone over the phone or FaceTime. It doesn’t always have to be done with you. Use that time that they are reading (to others) to take a break. 

Life Skills

Incorporate life skills into your learning. For our family cooking and baking became a family favorite. Have your kids meal prep, write out a grocery list or manage the shopping for the week (for their meals). Figure out how much their groceries will potentially cost. Household budgeting, incorporates writing and math. Have them take notes on household items that need to be replenished. These are life skills that many children do not learn at school. “To Quarantine” has opened a window that allows us to teach them life skills that will be essential in their day to day life. 

Laundry is another life skill that young kids can learn.  Being able to separate clothes (the darks, whites, and colored). Washing dishes is extremely fun for young grade school children as well. 

But don’t stop there! Explore opportunities and activities beyond household management such as drawing, painting, sewing, and/or learning a new game. (My husband has started teaching my son and our daughters how to tie a tie.)

Be creative, and have fun! Remember, you’re trying to spark your children’s imagination and curiosity (so the subject comes alive, and learning becomes a lifestyle).

Remote Learning

Work on assignments that your child’s teachers (or district) have successfully put together. If your child is getting through their work fast and with ease, add a little more. (It’s always good to supplement when it’s necessary.)  

If you can, stay organized! Print  assignments before the start of your school day. Designate a daily work space for child, as well as your home school tools, (notebooks, assignments, chromebook, laptop, crayons, pencils), whatever your tools consist of.

Your routine is going to provide stability and security. Lastly, if you can, make notes when you run into challenges. This will be helpful for his/ her teacher when they transition back to school. Keep track of the days your child attends live lessons (if available) and completes work. I’ve learned to always keep a workbook of my child’s work so that if I’m ever questioned about what they learned /or worked on, I would have receipts.

Trust me you just never know. 

Social Distancing 

Covid 19 has not disrupted school from your child, it has also taken away their friends. Allow a special time during the day (or a couple through the week) where your child can FaceTime or Zoom with a couple of his/her classmates/teammates. Allowing this time helps them to continue to maintain a social connection.

Some children have Zoom meetings so they get the opportunity to communicate with friends often.  However, if your child’s school doesn’t offer Zoom,  please create it for them. Having the opportunity to talk with friends go a long way. 

Take A Break 

Allow yourself to take a break. If things aren’t going as planned or you have multiple children (like I do) don’t hesitate to just take a break. The pleasure of homeschooling is you can always come back to a task and complete it at a later time. Sometimes you need a break and sometimes your child will need one too.

Remember, this is a new journey for the both of you; but it doesn’t have to be a stressful one! Stay encouraged and remember you wear the Crown.

-TC

Terricka's Extra Tips:

Here’s a couple of Free websites in case your child is in need of extra work. 

• https://www.hand2mindathome.com

• http://read.gov/books

• https://www.khanacademy.org/

• https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/harry-potter-at-home

• https://stories.audible.com/discovery