Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/, Common Sense Media. The first major hurdle for the transition was figuring out what grade they should be in. Common Sense Media provides two different options for digital citizenship education. (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.) For example, if you choose to homeschool or opt for distance learning to start with in the fall, will you want to send your children back to school (this year or in the future)? 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. We made a decision years ago to provide some independence and ownership of content decisions to our kids, specifically for movies, games, and apps. 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. at the schools themselves, but something to be aware of when asking them for assistance of any kind. 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). If you decide you are not comfortable sending your child to their current school in the fall, what options do you have? (n.d.). Greater Good Magazine. (n.d.). Note that this option and how it is implemented differs greatly per state. 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. 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. There are so many options available to teach every subject, and many are free. 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!). The state, on the other hand, wants to have as much control and oversight as possible, in many cases. 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. A template for this can be found on many of the CT homeschooling group websites or Facebook pages. To avoid things becoming disorganized, piling up, getting dirty during meals, etc., it is best to dedicate a shelf or whole bookshelf to the schoolwork, books and all related equipment. Digital Passport. You will need to determine the best balance and schedule for your family based on the ages you are teaching, the subjects you have selected, and the modes you have chosen to use to teach those subjects. For example, one was created by E. Gilliam, and is accessible here: https://www.conferencecallbingo.net/blog with the printable version accessible directly here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/xbwyrg21rbg79fj/conferencecallbingo.pdf?dl=0. (This is the option rated as highest risk by the CDC) (CDC, 2020). that you will be bound by? The standard subjects tend to include math, language arts, science, history or social studies, art, technology, health, physical education, and music. Educators need to be able to express concerns to parents and administrators when things arent working for them, their class, or even particular students. How might this impact your childs motivation to do their schoolwork? 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. Retrieved March 19, 2020, from https://www.headspace.com/covid-19, Khan Academy (2020). Awake and Mindful has collected five yoga videos for kids that might be one option for a calm activity to start off the day. 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. 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.). You can ask the school about options for continuing distance learning (if they dont already include that as an option in their fall plans). 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. Everything you need to organize your area is probabily already in your home. You will need to decide, based on your family values and rules about electronics and screen time, your work schedule and flexibility, ages of your children, and learning preferences and styles, what modes are best for you for each student and each subject. You dont need to go crazy buying organizing supplies. 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). The second option is for grades 6-8, called Digital Compass, which is accessible here: https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-compass. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/resources-for-families-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic, Earthcam. Decorating Amazon boxes and used soup cans make great arts and craft projects and excellent organizers! 30 Gratitude Games and Activities for Kids to Practice Thankfulness. There are so many different aspects and layers of trust, as well. The first consideration is the age levels you are teaching. (2020). One combined list of these is accessible on EarthCam.com, here: https://www.earthcam.com/events/animalcams/. Game Reviews. Remember the CDC guidelines and be innovative in your organization and space planning. Everything else is a bonus. (n.d.). Khan Academy Schedules for School Closures. Carter, Christine. 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. The options are so abundant that it can often be overwhelming, especially for those new to educating their children at home. (2020). Some states and districts are surveying parents to find out their comfort level with the options listed above (or others, depending on the state and district). Yours will too. You can use an existing bingo card, plenty of which are posted for free online. (n.d.). (2018). 1) Draw out a rough daily schedule (or weekly, if your daily work schedules vary), allocating specific times for work and for schoolwork. We have never parented (or helped our kids with remote learning) during a global pandemic. Retrieved April 19, 2020, from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews, Focus on the Family. There are a few things to consider. Many state and local education-related publications have language that indicates that the notice of intent to homeschool and the portfolio reviews are required. Retrieved April 19, 2020, from https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/2218929/how-many-hours-homeschooling-per-day/. If you are homeschooling on your own, you and your children might be the only members of the team, but for others remotely schooling via distance learning options provided through their school or district, there are many other members of the team, as well. 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. 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. How Timeboxing Works and Why it Will Make You More Productive. (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.). (2020). Retrieved March 18, 2020, from https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSZhOdEPAWjUQpqDkVAlJrFwxxZ9Sa6zGOq0CNRms6Z7DZNq-tQWS3OhuVCUbh_-P-WmksHAzbsrk9d/pub, Khan Academy. Always be appreciative.). Welltrainedmind.com. 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. Bauer, S. W. (2016). (2020). If your student is overloaded with work, have them work with their teachers and administrators to request extensions or accommodations where needed. Some of the common misconceptions include: Lets attempt to address these one by one. In my previous post, I noted that some schools and some districts are providing work for their students, which is great! ), 3) Do you think you might want to send your students back to school in person either some time this year or in future years? In these times, I found educational videos that could fill the spaces, where my children could still be learning, but I was able to focus on the meetings and my work. Harvard Business Review. Some organizations group activities in the following age groups, for example, Kindergarten to grade 2, grades 3-5, grades 6-8 and grades 9-12. CommonSenseMedia.org. Retrieved June 24, 2020, from https://www.digitallearningcollab.com/state-virtual-schools, HSLDA. Write a list of the equipment you used to make your fort. 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. Its important that parents, educators and administrators clearly define what the goals are and monitor progress toward those goals. (2020). 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. 3) All members of the team should remember that discomfort leads to growth and work on being ok with being held accountable, with hearing feedback that they dont really want to hear, and with giving honest, constructive feedback to other members of the team when things arent working well. 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. So, what options are there? What is Montessori Education? Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/about-us/our-mission/about-our-ratings, Common Sense Media. Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-passport, Common Sense Media. Our toddler also participated, at an age-appropriate level, in virtual field trips, science experiments, and other educational activities with her sister. 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.