And just like that, thousands of families are homeschooling. I feel bad for the ones who've never done it before. The ones who think they have to do everything just the way the school does it. The ones who aren't sure they'll survive weeks at home with their kids.
I'm grateful for the 19 years experience I have homeschooling my kids. But it's still jarring to go from the routine of having the kids in school to the new routine of homeschooling again.
So I decided to start us off fun & easy... with an art project! I started by using my Cricut machine (affiliate link) to cut shamrock stickers. Then we made rainbows around them, using chalk pastels.
This is what my little example looked like.
And these are Hannah and Katie's finished pictures.
While they worked on their art project, I read aloud The Story of St. Patrick, More Than Shamrocks and Leprechauns, from Voice of the Martyrs. (another affiliate link)
After art, I asked the girls to imagine they were Patrick, and write a letter home to his parents from captivity.
Jack will be watching the Crash Course video on the Periodic Table of Elements, as that's what he's been working on in science at school.
I'm going to pick up the kids' assignments from the school later today, so tomorrow will look much more "school-y" than our first day, but it's nice to have a gentle start. I'm also picking up a bagful of books from the library, to keep up with Hannah's voracious appetite for reading during her down time.
While I didn't plan to homeschool again, I'm excited about the prospect. It's nice to have everybody home together while we weather uncertain times. If any of my readers find themselves suddenly homeschooling and would like some help, I'm absolutely willing to point you toward some resources or answer questions for you.
Stay healthy out there!
I appreciate your sympathetic remarks at the beginning of this post. I've been watching the panic and distress, and I've felt so sorry for families whose routines have been knocked out and find themselves struggling to find a new normal.
ReplyDeleteYou are truly greatly blessed to have your experience, love, and knowledge to call upon in this season.
And at least your library is still open! Ours closed at noon yesterday, but I didn't get the notice until 11:45, and I couldn't get there in time!!!!
Here's wishing you all a joyful season of togetherness.
I spoke too soon. :( We stopped at the library yesterday, and they were closed. We got the email later that the whole system is shut down, except for digital resources. I may have to break down and buy some books for Hannah. I have a few on my Amazon wish list.
DeleteWhat do you do with a two year old boy while teaching a first grader?
ReplyDeleteKeep him close so he doesn't get into mischief! If you're working at the table, maybe play doh in the high chair (if he still uses one). Coloring pages, blocks. If he's good about not putting things in his mouth, putting pony beads on a pipe cleaner is a great fine motor skill. Or sorting a handful of mixed beads/buttons into a paint tray or muffin tin.
DeleteAlso, if you search "tot trays" here on my blog, you'll find lots of ways I kept Katie busy while I was homeschooling the older kids. Gosh, those were the days!
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