Stressed About “Homeschooling”?
I’m a high school English teacher. I teach seniors and I’m devastated for them. Their graduation ceremony is TBD (to be determined), their prom is canceled, baseball, track, and soccer is over. As a teacher, I don’t know how to make them feel better and my heart is breaking for my niece and nephew who are both seniors. It’s a tough time! We are all struggling. Here’s some advice that I hope will help you with your own kids….remember I teach high school seniors and I’m a mom to a 3rd grader, a 6th grader, and an 8th grader.
First, let’s stop calling it homeschooling!!!! I’m not planning on designing the curriculum for my own kids. My school district has stated that we will not be putting anything new to learn out there! We will be continuing to develop skills that have already been taught. So don’t worry parents, you won’t have to explain how to carry the 1! This is not homeschooling because you will be doing exactly what you’ve been doing all school year. Ask them if they finished their homework and HELP them with any questions they might have. Your child’s teacher is an email away! Let them help! We want to help!!
Second, READ READ READ! If you are reading your kids will read. Give them headphones to listen to audiobooks as they read it. It’s still reading. Put aside time for everyone in your home to read. It will happen if you give it a chance.
Third, you will need a schedule, especially if you are working from home. Don’t force them out of bed early. Let them sleep and spend the mornings for yourself. But, do establish a schedule. Put a timer on and give them a certain amount of time for each subject with breaks in between. They need breaks and so do you!
Fourth, unplug devices! Yes, most of their assignments will be online, but that doesn’t mean Fortnight, Mine Craft, or Call of Duty. Do your best to limit video games and screen time. PLAY board games or cards. Board games and cards develop critical thinking skills. We need to encourage critical thinking.
Fifth, keep active. They are going to be wiggly and hyper. Yoga, a game of tag/hide and go seek, throw a ball, ride a bike….they need recess.
Here’s your chance to show them how athletic or how good you are at dodge ball. Have fun with them!
And my sixth and final piece of advice….don’t worry! No one has experience with this, therefore there is no expert. We are a community and we will support each other. You have a question, contact the teacher or the school. I promise they are waiting to help. We will get through this. If you begin to question your abilities, check out the online memes. My favorite is “day one: how do I transfer this kid from my class”.
Parents you’ve got this. Teachers are here to help! We are a team!
As Always,
Live your life with Jubilance,
Kellidawn
Kellidawn is a true southern girl at heart. When she’s not wrangling her three boys, she can be found broadening the minds of high school seniors in her English class. This former college twirler is also an avid Star Wars fan and movie buff who loves spending time with family and friends.
