Back to school season 2020: Homeschool Edition
Even though I am usually mourning the end of another summer I absolutely LOVE the back to school season! I have been planning a school year of some sort since 1985. I have either been getting my classroom ready for my kindergarten or pre-kindergarten students, planning a curriculum for teaching my own children at home or teaching pre-service teachers in higher education. Back to school is a big deal to me! It is a fresh start. It is a time for new backpacks and lunch boxes; new crayons (a personal favorite) fresh pencils and notebooks and some squeaky new shoes! It is a time of setting new goals and expectations. Students of all ages are excited and anxious for what lies before them.
I remember one particular “back to school” season when I was a child. I was probably going into second grade (circa 1969) and my mom had bought me a new plaid skirt and top. I was in love with it….and it was a wool skirt. It was my new back to school outfit, but it was more appropriate for winter. I begged to wear it on the first day of school and my mom obliged. I think she loved it as much as I did! It was the week before Labor Day in Louisiana, and I was wearing a long sleeve layered blouse with a wool skirt to school. And I was thrilled. We didn’t have air conditioners in all the rooms, and you would think that would be worse, but I think it was ok because we were just used to the heat. I survived that first day in my wool skirt, but I think I hung it up for a while after that!
I also have memorable back to school seasons as an adult – my rookie year as a teacher in Dallas, TX, the first year I taught my kids at home, their first years of high school and college. But I will say that 2020 is probably the most unique back to school year we have all faced.
Stressful 2020 School Start
Because of the pandemic the first day of school has been a moving target for many districts. An uncertain first day of school was a source of high stress for families trying to prepare. Schools offered in person and virtual options as extra precautions against COVID-19. So, families had the extra stress of making the “right” choice. The experiences with virtual school the previous spring had some families hesitant about choosing that option again. Many districts’ in person plan was set up completely online just like the virtual option. All day in front of a computer is not an effective learning environment for most young children. The third option was taking charge of the curriculum themselves and teaching their children at home – homeschooling.
After most American schools closed this past spring, I think parents came to one of two conclusions:
A. Hey, I love this homeschooling gig and I am all in! I am now reorganizing my office/dining room/guest room as a classroom. Everything is color-coded and the calendar is hung on the wall.
B. Teaching kids is painfully hard and there is a reason I did not sign up for that job! I cannot watch one more science video (right Sis?) online. “ Alexa, remind me to send my kids’ teachers some nice gift certificates”.
I know the choice is a lot more complicated than that and some of you are somewhere in between those two mindsets. No matter what prompted you to choose homeschooling I’m betting you have had some challenges and rough days by now. I am here for you. I am a homeschool survivor, um I mean, veteran. I mean I taught my kids at home every year and we all survived. I am living, breathing proof that it can be done. My kids are still living and breathing, too if that tells you anything. (some days were touch and go)
I eventually found my homeschool tribe but at first, I forged my own way. If you are homeschooling your kids or your grandkids, here are 7 sanity savers from a homeschool survivor (you know what I mean). I hope these guidelines will relieve your stress somewhat or affirm to you that you are on the right track.
7 Sanity Savers for New Homeschool Parents/Grandparents
1. The homeschool day is not required to last a certain length of time. Especially not 6 hours a day. A homeschool day for young children should be about 2-3 hours. Older kids will take longer depending on the subjects they are taking. Young children should spend most of their time reading or being read to, responding to what was read, working with manipulatives, involved in authentic learning situations such as a play store and playing games. These are all legitimate learning experiences and they do not require direct instruction from a teacher. They require guidance and support and interesting materials.
2. The curriculum doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. There are a lot of bright and shiny boxed curricula out there that promise the moon and deliver a big credit card bill. Don’t be sucked into buying the one with the most “stuff”. Remember this? K.I.S.S. It will save you lots of headaches if you just keep it simple. Gather a good amount of basic school supplies to get started. An early childhood curriculum can be built around a recommended library book list with a math workbook and manipulatives. The children’s books are the source of content for social studies and science (see #3). Allow plenty of time for creative expression through drawing, painting, play dough, construction sets and dramatic play. The creative expression will be a response to what they are learning through reading.
3. Spend a LOT of time outdoors. Outdoor exploration and nature studies should be a major part of your science curriculum for young children. It is also very beneficial for mental health to spend time among the trees, along the river or near the pond. It is relaxing for children and adults to be out in the fresh air. Take a walk down your street and note what kind of trees you see. Study them. Draw them. Measure them. Make up stories about them. Learn the names of them. Then move on to study the birds and other animals that depend on the trees. You could be here awhile learning about trees. Take your sketchbooks outside, put your chairs on the patio, throw a blanket on the ground and do math. I promise you it will make a huge difference in your school day.
4. You can teach multiple ages at the same. If you are teaching multiple children, you can spend a lot of your instruction time together. Choose unit studies that all children would benefit from and let everyone take part in the read aloud or instruction time centered around that topic. For example, if you choose to study reptiles your kindergartener through third grader would enjoy similar non-fiction books being read aloud. Then each child would have their own response journal to draw, dictate or write about what they learned. They can work together to create projects related to the unit that involve cooperation, writing, creativity and problem solving. Of course, they would need to work individually on certain content areas such as math, phonics and writing. Choosing your topics strategically will drastically cut down on the work for the instructor and the time it takes to complete the studies each day. (again K.I.S.S).
5. Every subject does not have to be completed EVERY day. There. I said it. It sounds blasphemous but it is true. I’m going to say it again – you do not have to teach every subject every day. Children need to be read to each day and practice reading and writing in some form. They should also practice math skills daily. Science and social studies can be integrated together or taught on a rotating basis. Add in the extracurricular activities your kids enjoy and you have a balanced curriculum.
6. Allow plenty of time for PLAY. I promise you they are learning if they have time and space to think up new games, build, invent things, dress up and act out adventures. Complex play situations allow children opportunities to practice skills, expand vocabulary, be creative and think on their own. Every minute of the school day does not have to involve a workbook or structured lesson.
7. Maintain a consistent routine. Now, when I say consistent routine I am not talking about a minute by minute structured schedule for the day. I am referring to more of a block time frame. You want to set expectations so that the kids know what comes next. It isn’t a matter of spending a certain amount of minutes on each activity, but of knowing how the day will flow. As the teacher, it will lend a sense of control and calm to the day and you will know when the day is finished. Because, let’s face it – there is always stuff to do.
I hope these little reminders will help you find your pace in your school day and set a positive tone as you navigate this new school year. Now, take a few deep breaths. Let go of the unreasonable expectations about homeschooling and make some wonderful memories with your kids.
P.S. If you have any questions about homeschooling feel free to ask in the comments or email me.