So… the first week of “homeschooling” my three children did not go as I “expected” and yes I am a full time teacher….so...please do not be hard on yourself or your children. We only managed about one “traditional” educational activity a day (Zorbits, Raz - Kids, responding to teacher emails, etc.). What I realized is that everything you are able to do with your children is more than enough:) and it has more “educational” value than you realize! You do not need, nor should you sit your child at the kitchen table and force worksheets, extended reading or writing periods of time, etc. upon them. Their attention span is REALLY short! In one 75-minute language block in the classroom we switch tasks and activities almost every 15 minutes. We may read a story on the carpet, Then they move to their desk to highlight word wall words in the story, then we discuss orally, then we play guess the word wall word….you get the idea, We do MANY different activities in our 75 minute teaching block! I have found that the trick to educating children (especially young ones) is to make it fun, turn almost everything into a game and “trick” them into learning. You actually want them to say…”I did not do any “school work” today! When really you know that you did teach them :) Please do not try to replicate the traditional school day...this is not what your children need.  Just continue to do what you are doing and what you are  able to do. It is more than enough! Continue to take the time to stay safe and healthy and keep your loved ones healthy and safe.

Reminders

School Closure - At this time, all publicly funded schools in Ontario will be closed from March 14 to ???? We will update you as soon as we know.

Academic Resources - Mme Soucy and staff will be sending out some more optional educational links this week, again just suggestions not mandatory. We did not want to overwhelm parents during these first two weeks at home. Right now we just want you to try and adjust to this new “normal” and figure out what works best for you and your family.

Blog - If you access the website version instead of the mobile version of this blog you will have access to language, math and other songs, games and websites relevant for your little ones. Some links may need to be updated...I will attempt to do this within the next few weeks.

“Tricking” your child into learning:  Here is one way to do it. Make everything a game. There are many sites that offer free printable math and language games that you can play with your child or have them play with siblings. Search math dice and card games for grade 1...you will find lots of new games and ideas. Practicing word wall word games... Kaboom (only thing needed is popsicle sticks. Write the word wall words on the bottom on the sticks and make 4 or 5 sticks with the word Kaboom on them. Your child can teach you how to play!). Word Wall word hunt... have your child write their word wall on pieces of paper, sticky notes or index cards. You hide them around the house or outdoors and they have to go find them. Once they find one, they must run back to you and tell you the word and then go look for another. You can challenge siblings to play together, just don’t make the younger ones read them, or have them point out a letter they recognize in the word, etc. Play guess the word wall word (we always play on white boards but assure your child they can play it on paper as well!). Once again, they can teach you how to play.

Physical Education - Get into your backyard and PLAY! Bike rides and walks keeping social distancing in mind is a great way to get exercise and clear your mind. Practice spring activities, skipping, sidewalk chalk hopscotch, skip its, basketball, play catch, etc.

Socialization - My children are finding social isolation very difficult. School is where they spend most of their time connecting with friends. This week I set my younger children up on Kids Messenger. It is really easy to use. They LOVE it! I feel safe using this as I control their access via my Facebook account and see who they are chatting with and their conversations. They are practicing reading and writing when composing and responding to texts. They can video chat with friends and they are hanging out and chatting with grandparents, cousins and friends in real time. My 11 year old is also using Google Hangouts to group chat with her classmates. They have set up  a time of day (4 pm) when anyone who is available goes online for a group chat. My 13 year old is connecting and chatting with friends when playing Fortnite. Our children need to stay connected with friends at this difficult time… They are their social support group. To be honest I am connecting with friends (near and far) and colleagues using group Google Hangouts as well.  It is a great way to get together virtually, support each other, share stories and most of all have a great LAUGH (something we all need right now!).

Once again this is not my usual blog, but here are some of the “non-traditional” learning activities that I did with my three children this week. In brackets is my educational value rationalization. 

We continued to plant, transplant and watch our veggie seedlings grow (science, math/measurement - how deep to plant seeds, language- reading and understanding the instructions on the seed packets). We brought tree branches with buds indoors and placed them in water to see what would happen (scientific inquiry). We also decided as a family that we want to introduce a puppy into our family (crazy I know… We did online research - breed, where to get it from etc., math -the cost of getting a dog and all the equipment and vet bills that go with it, language - persuasive techniques, pros and cons list - breed, older dog or puppy, name search etc.). We played in our backyard a lot (especially on nice days - physical education - ladder bolo game, washers, bike rides, walks, etc.). We started to do outside spring clean up (science - seeing the bulbs grow, rhubarb come up, cleaning gardens, watching the snow melt, etc.). We played board games (math, language, learning skills - cooperation, conflict resolution, etc.).

Believe me this was MORE than enough!

Stay healthy, safe and sane. We are all in this together!