They also expect to have to make up for missed learning in the fall for this last spring, especially for the younger students in lower grades. Our girls were homeschooled since Kindergarten, and I chose materials for each individual subject for each girl, and planned the curriculum and lesson plans myself throughout this entire time. 2) Identify the subjects you would like to teach each of the children. Before you start, identify an award they will earn if you get a bingo and/or if they black out the entire card by meeting the criteria of each bingo square on the entire bingo card. -Two (2) 4(L) x 3.5(H) internal mesh pockets For parents looking online for content for their children, who may not be familiar with different websites, movies or apps, or unsure how to tell what might be safe or age-appropriate, this post is for you. They are used to having their days and activities planned out for them months in advance. (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. 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. Common Sense Media. Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-passport, Common Sense Media. 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. Marc Zao-Sanders (2018) wrote an informative article on TimeBoxing, accessible here: Organizing your space is another aspect of your current situation that you have total control over. (n.d.). 3) Clear out, setup and organize your dedicated storage area for your schoolwork and related supplies. 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. For other jobs, like when I administered analytics servers, I had more flexibility to design my work day around the desired school schedule. (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.) How School Closures Can Strengthen Your Family. If yours has not done so, or you would like to supplement the work provided to your kids, there are many approaches to doing so. (Remember: If you dont know where you are going, any road will get you there. While I worked and homeschooled, I had a variety of types of jobs, all technical/knowledge-working jobs, some with more flexibility than others. Youre Probably Homeschooling Way More Than You Need To. 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. If you are teaching one child, you can skip this section. at the schools themselves, but something to be aware of when asking them for assistance of any kind. But, there is also so much that is fully within our control. -5 rows of 5-channel PALS webbing I will gather and post a list of the supplies I always kept on hand soon. 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. I present to you the conference call activity challenge for today (03/17/2020): Conference Call Bingo (with your kiddos)! These can be accessed here: https://www.headspace.com/covid-19. 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). Retrieved April 19, 2020, from https://www.roblox.com/, Wiess, S. R. (2020a). Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/about-us/our-mission/about-our-ratings, Common Sense Media. -2 attachment loops made from 1 webbing Trust that everyone is working toward a common goal, for example, is one type of trust. These are legally optional. The one thing that all of those spaces had in common was a dedicated space to store all of our supplies and work. The second option is for grades 6-8, called Digital Compass, which is accessible here: https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-compass. 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. The third consideration is the mode you wish to use to teach the subjects you have selected. -One (1) 7(L) x 10(H) x 2(W) zippered pouch (lower) Scholastic Learn at Home. Well, the best approach comes down to whether this is a temporary or long-term/permanent option for you and your family. Accountability is the forth level in the pyramid identified by Lencioni, and aligns closely with constructive conflict and commitment. 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? Pull the dual-directional YKK zippers and expand the main compartment into a full clamshell opening. It is important to remain aware (and equally appreciative for any help they provide) that the schools and school districts are not required to assist homeschooling families, and that submitting an intent to withdraw (and/or an intent to homeschool) does have a direct impact on their budget, as they are funded on a per-student basis. You can ask the school about options for continuing distance learning (if they dont already include that as an option in their fall plans). While the kids play, you can plan your day(s). (n.d.). These are all considerations when building a foundation of trust in a remote or distance learning team with all parties involved. Calling it schoolwork for the toddler made her feel like she was getting to do something cool that her big sister was doing, while really just doing what she would have been anyway. -#AS-100 high grade closed-cell foam padding material for superior shock protection Weathering the Storm. 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.). 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. -Teflon fabric protector for grime resistance and easy maintenance. Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://www.earthcam.com/events/animalcams/, National University Library. The most effective approach I found was to create a basket of schoolwork for the toddler and let her choose her schoolwork from the basket. -Secondary compartment: 8(L) x 3(W) x 16(H) 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. In my previous post, I noted that some schools and some districts are providing work for their students, which is great! 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. How might it impact their learning? If you want more information prior to pursuing this option, your best bet is likely to reach out to the school or district directly for more information about what the portfolio review might look like, what kind of support and guidance you can expect from them, etc. Built for the 1606 MC plastic Marine Corp frame, these straps feature an air mesh lining to reduce sweat and sweat related slipping. Remember the CDC guidelines and be innovative in your organization and space planning. Common Sense Media, for example, provides a list of Kid-Safe Browsers and Search Sides, accessible here: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/kid-safe-browsers-and-search-sites. So, what options are there? 5 product ratings - Maxpedition Falcon II Hydration Backpack 0513K Khaki. Best Kids Yoga Videos on YouTube. Retrieved April 19, 2020 from https://grownandflown.com/soft-skills-for-teens/, Minecraft. Smoothing the transition in our new reality. Its challenging to ensure everyone is on the same page during a normal school year, but even more challenging during a global pandemic. Common Sense Media includes reviews of some books, as well. Are you comfortable sending your children to school in the fall, as long as CDC guidelines for schools are followed (CDC, 2020)? 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. (Note that this is an unpopular opinion and not promoted or frequently supported in the traditional, long-term homeschooling community, though, so questions about this option in these traditional groups or distribution lists may not be met with the most positive reactions.) To clean, simply wipe down with a damp cloth. Free Printable Homeschool Planners. Science and art took the most preparation because we conducted experiments and made a variety of art and craft projects, so we split these days, so that they were not back-to-to back, allowing for some planning and preparation time in between. There are many options for finding safe content online for kids. Retrieved April 19, 2020, from https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/2218929/how-many-hours-homeschooling-per-day/. Best of luck with this years educational adventures. -Hydration bladder not included. Retrieved March 19, 2020, from https://www.steamsational.com/free-printable-homeschool-planners/, The new challenge to keep the kids occupied during conference calls is: FORT MAKING!!! Our children need to be able to disagree and question things when concepts or instructions arent clear to them. These options are completed at a time and location of your convenience and have assigned teachers for all classes, as well as providing official transcripts and grades, just like on-ground/in-person school options. The fourth consideration is the schedule of the subjects you have selected to teach. Retrieved June 24, 2020, from https://www.k12.com/. Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/kid-safe-browsers-and-search-sites, Common Sense Media. Further examination will reveal that the Falcon II has layered independent compartments with more pockets, pouches and PALS attachment points than most backpacks twice its size. Retrieved April 19, 2020, from https://montessori-nw.org/what-is-montessori-education, Roblox. The second consideration is the subjects you wish to teach. 5) Choose activities to start your day off on a calm and positive note. In the middle of the fall, we collectively decided that it was time for the girls to attend public school. Retrieved June 24, 2020, from https://www.digitallearningcollab.com/state-virtual-schools, HSLDA. 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. You will need to determine what is best for you and your children. -3D breathable mesh padded back and shoulder straps 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. Looking at these from a more positive lens, as opposed to negatively identifying them as dysfunctions, the list of what teams need to thrive include: The foundation of working together as a group, especially in a stressful, unclear, unpredictable situation like remote learning during a global pandemic, is trust. Its important that parents, educators and administrators clearly define what the goals are and monitor progress toward those goals. Retrieved June 24, 2020, from https://hslda.org/legal, HSLDA. Retrieved March 19, 2020 from https://awakeandmindful.com/best-kids-yoga-videos-on-youtube/, Bestow. (2020). -One (1) 2.5(L) x 4.5(H) internal slip pocket Retrieved March 18, 2020, from https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSZhOdEPAWjUQpqDkVAlJrFwxxZ9Sa6zGOq0CNRms6Z7DZNq-tQWS3OhuVCUbh_-P-WmksHAzbsrk9d/pub, Khan Academy. Many of our kids had packed schedules of school, sports, and other activities, with barely enough time to grab a sandwich in the car for supper. The Valhalla Versa MKIII Pack was specifically designed with the ever-changing mission requirements of the military in mind. 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. High tensile strength composite nylon thread (stronger than ordinary industry standard nylon thread), YKKhigh strength zippers and zipper tracks, Teflon fabric protector for grime resistance and easy maintenance. To this day, we stand by that rule and have had very few issues. Something went wrong. There are also many online tours of national parks, zoos, and aquariums. CommonSenseMedia.org. 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. So, how do we, as a team of parents, educators, and administrators, work together as a high performing team and not fall into the 5 dysfunctions of a team identified by Lencioni? Thats all any of us can do, and the only way we are going to figure out what will work is for everyone to be comfortable communicating and providing constructive feedback when things are not working. You will receive a link to create a new password via email. The first consideration is the age levels you are teaching. One option is for grades 3-5, called Digital Passport, and is accessible here: https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-passport. 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. -Overall size: 9(L) x 10(W) x 18(H) Other features -Removable waist strap made from 1.5 webbing with 1.5 quick release buckle, Additional storage To a service point. What if schools open in a blended format, where schedules are alternating day to day or am/pm? (2019). (n.d.). (2020). Allow gear to dry naturally. Just take one step at a time and focus on one goal at a time. 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. Administrators have never run schools, districts or boards of education during a global pandemic. Retrieved March 16, 2020 from, Center for Disease Control (CDC). 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. 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. How Timeboxing Works and Why it Will Make You More Productive. Maxpedition backpacks are built for hauling gear and ergonomically designed to never drag you down. -Y-compression strap made from 1 webbing Pull the dual-directional YKK zippers and expand the main compartment into a full clamshell opening. 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. What can your student do to promote these team functions also? State Virtual Schools. Educators have never taught during a global pandemic, much less taught remotely or taught some students remotely and some in person at the same time. Curvaceous, foam-padded double shoulder straps contour to your chest and a sternum suspension belt helps distribute weight evenly throughout your upper body, so you can carry a load without falling behind. Retrieved April 19, 2020, from https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/age-appropriate-chores/, Grown and Flown. Retrieved April 19, 2020, from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews, Focus on the Family. This is a great time to have the conversation with your manager about the priorities of the work currently assigned to you, the hours they expect, or require, you to be available, and where flexibility does (and does not) exist in your schedule, workload and work-related responsibilities. Made with high quality nylon stitching, self-repairing YKK zippers and a durable water-resistant exterior; Maxpedition backpacks have multiple compartments and pockets and offer plenty of space for mission essentials, camping gear, hydration reservoirs, laptops, textbooks and CCW. Harvard Business Review. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2020, from https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/slideshow/2173553/coronavirus-school-closings-keep-kids-busy/1/, Wiess, S. R. (2020b). (2020). Making sure others respect your time is actually easier than it might seem at first. (n.d.). Rest of World12.50 shipping on all orders, Huge stocks from our UK inventory. (Many states do not allow homeschoolers to participate in activities at the public school, but some states do. 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, some people are going to be happy and some unhappy, regardless of the plan or approach that is taken. As homeschoolers, they worked at their own pace in different subjects, which was great for their education and learning, but made the transition to an age-based grade-level determination a challenging one. 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. Carter, Christine. Kid-Safe Browsers and Search Sites. There are many misconceptions about homeschooling, in general, but especially with working and homeschooling. -One (1) 7.25(L) x 4.5(H) internal slip pocket. (n.d.). Retrieved March 18, 2020, from https://www.khanacademy.org/about/blog/post/611770255064350720/remote-learning-with-khan-academy-during-school, Scholastic. 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. 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. This can be important if you are deciding between temporarily homeschooling your children and opting into distance learning (especially in middle school or high school grades). 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. Geodox V.O.F., De Huufkes 3 5674 TL Nuenen Nederland. 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. (2020). 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. https://medium.com/taskworld-blog/lencionis-5-dysfunctions-of-a-team-330d58b2cd81. What we sometimes forget, though, is that our kids are, as well. Focusonthefamily.com. 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. 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. Our toddler also participated, at an age-appropriate level, in virtual field trips, science experiments, and other educational activities with her sister. Everything else is a bonus. These are accessible here: https://awakeandmindful.com/best-kids-yoga-videos-on-youtube/. Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/, Common Sense Media. 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. -One (1) 9(L) x 6(H) zippered mesh pockets, Straps There are so many options available to teach every subject, and many are free. Pull the dual-directional YKK zippers and expand the main compartment into a full clamshell opening. 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. 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. Has all of the best featur, 5 product ratings - Maxpedition Falcon-II Backpack Wolf Gray 23L 9" x 10" x 18", 4 product ratings - Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon-II Black 0517B Main compartment measures 18" x 9 1/2" x, 1 product ratings - Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon-II Khaki 0517K Main compartment measures 18" x 9 1/2" x, Maxpedition MX513B Falcon II Hydration Backpack Black. A lesson I learned the hard way many times is that they cant both be done (effectively) at the same time. Almost three years later, I can tell you that it was the right choice for both of them, without a doubt. -Non-slip abrasion resistant material, Main interior front 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. Retrieved March 19, 2020, from https://www.headspace.com/covid-19, Khan Academy (2020). Starting your day with gratitude and calm activities has been said to start your day off on a positive note. Resources for Families During the Coronavirus Pandemic. There are actually more options than you would think, and you are your and your childrens best advocate. (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.). 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. You'll find that the Falcon II is surprisingly spacious with room to accommodate your camping essentials and two (2) 100oz/3L water reservoirs. In sports psychology, life coaching and other venues recently, youve likely heard the term locus of control or phrases like control the controllables. Situations like the pandemic we are currently experiencing bring to light the true meaning of these phrases, as there is so much that is truly out of our control. If you want to really make it fun and engaging with everyone involved, you or the meeting organizer can make up a bingo card and send it out to everyone on the call. -Triple polyurethane coated for water resistance Age-Appropriate Chores. / 23L ), Have your parent/guardian take a picture of your fort, with the list of equipment used and post it to Twitter using the hashtag #fortchallenge and tag @HomeschoolWork.