When school was cancelled back in March, due to the Corona Virus, we suddenly found ourselves at home with A LOT of time on our hands. Our district had a few things that kids could do online each weekday (mostly games that reviewed skills previously learned), but it was not enough for our kids. So, I came up with a weekly schedule for each one of our kids. I tailored it to each one of them and their levels of learning the best I could with the resources I had available. The kids incorporated some of their own learning ideas and projects as well. Below, you will find pictures that I took to somewhat document what we did at home for the whole last quarter of the 2019/2020 school year.
Prior to school being cancelled, Phoebe had just completed and presented her 4th Grade Wax Museum project on Nancy Landon Kassebaum. She decided she was going to complete another Wax Museum, using 15 dolls. She came up with 15 famous people for each one of these dolls to "be", then researched each one, and made a tri-fold board for each one. This entire project took her almost the entire 8 weeks of being at home to complete. She worked on it each week until it was completed.
Silas listened to some stories read online by my teacher friend (now a principal), from Pennsylvania.
Week One
Day One -
Each day the kids would look on the fridge to find their individual schedules for the day. I also had to limit the snacks and make snack suggestions on their schedules because we found out very quickly that when everyone was at home everyone seemed to think they needed a LOT of snacks all throughout the day.
We discovered online "Drawing with Steve Harpster" of "Harptoons". He did live online, step-by-step, drawing classes everyday.
Day Two -
It was hard to not be able to see friends and family members during this time. We got pretty good at facetiming (live video chatting) with some of our friends and family members.
They did things like math flashcards, music flashcards, and word searches to keep their brains active.
Day Three -
Sometimes my Dad and Mom came up with big math questions for the kids to figure out the answer to that day our week. They were tougher questions that usually required using math tools, (yardsticks, calculators, formulas, and tape measures). These questions also usually required discussion about how to solve and required them to call Popee and Nanee to discuss the answers and how they got the answers.
Silas had to complete several book reports for me and both he and Phoebe were able to log on to their school accounts still and take A.R. tests (reading comprehension), which they both continued to do throughout the 8 weeks of being at home.
They all practiced playing the piano during the week and we played several games that worked on spelling and math skills.
It started to warm up outside and we were able to do some outdoor projects too.
Day Four -
Phoebe practiced her cursive writing by writing sentences and the alphabet in cursive a couple days a week.
Each kid worked on putting together puzzles too. Phoebe enjoyed the challenge of puzzles the most.
We had time to sort through and organize some of our craft supplies and things in the kids bedrooms.
They all reviewed math skills online.
Day Five -
By day five of the first week, I think we all felt somewhat successful. We had completed a whole week at home together and everyone had gotten all their tasks completed . The schedules helped us to complete tasks, manage our time more wisely, keep focused, and continue learning from home the best we could.
Something that all three kids loved was online science lessons with Uncle Bret. He would send me the links to some of his prerecorded lessons and the kids would watch and answer questions.
Science with Uncle Bret was for sure a favorite at home school activity.
Some days on the schedules it just simply said "Create". They then had to come up with their own ideas here of something to make or create. Below, Phoebe made a dog house and Sarah made a bracelet. Once Phoebe even made a trash can with a working mechanical lid!
There were some weeks we went on nature walks and scavenger hunts outside.
Week Two
Sarah made the list below of things she missed most and the least about not getting to be in school....
Sarah also had a few easy online assignments to complete from a few of her teachers. Nothing was graded or turned in though.
The kids got out their bikes and began to ride all over our land for exercise.
Silas started to find some interesting toads and frogs which lead to some research on toads and frogs.
They each started to have some Zoom or Google Classroom meetings. Silas's first meeting lead to a spontaneous show and tell of everyone's pets. It was great to see the kids smiles as another classmate joined the meetings.
Sarah made a LOT of bracelets.
Week Three
Both girls started to help cook more. They helped with desserts, and dinner.
Phoebe's first meeting was fun too. She didn't say much, but got to see classmates and interact if she wanted to or was directly asked a question.
We did some social studies and learned about maps and map reading.
All three kids practiced letter writing each week, by writing to friends and relatives. They also practiced addressing envelopes correctly.
There was some fort building one week. And, they even slept in their forts, like a mini camp-out, for fun.
Phoebe learned to cook bacon.
Sarah learned to cook French toast.
Our puzzle skills got better as we completed higher piece number puzzles together. Our biggest was a 350 piece puzzle.
Week Four
On one of Sarah's online classroom meetings they had pet show and tell too.
Week Five
A large project they each completed was a state report. They each had to pick a state, then do research, create a state report folder, and present their report to a live audience.
These reports took all week to complete along with all their other tasks for the week.
Sarah picked Colorado.
Phoebe picked Texas.
Silas picked Missouri.
Our live audience was very engaged in the reports, listening intently, asking questions, and clapping at appropriate times.
Week Six
One day this week they each had to create something with Play-Doh. Above, Silas with his creation. Below, Phoebe's creation.
Below, Sarah's creation.
Week Seven
The attendance at the online meetings seemed to grow some. These meetings were not mandatory, so it seemed that the same few kids were logged on each week.
Sarah did some paintings.
We finally got to see our friend, Shawna again.
Week Eight
This was the last official week of school. We made a huge sign to hold up at the "Good-bye" parade that the elementary school would be holding later in the week.
The night of the parade was a fun evening of being with friends again and seeing the faces of teachers we love.
Eric deserves an award. He has always been the math homework guy in our house. But, more than ever this year. Sarah was in pre-algebra, and I was lost. Not only did he help her anytime she needed help, but even when school cancelled he continued to help her review and continue on to learn some new concepts.
Sarah's school had a "Goodbye" parade too. This one we drove through and the teachers all waved at us and handed out candy and special coupons to use at local businesses. Sarah liked this and especially loved seeing some of her favorite teachers and staff members.
Here's to hoping we can start a normal school year this fall for the 2020/2021 school year. My new favorite hashtags are #coronavirusyousuck, #staysmart, #nonewnormal, and #backtonormal. We want our kids in the classroom and believe that getting back to normal is essential to America's kids well-being and proper education. We are praying for our country and our leaders to make wise decisions with the kids best interests at heart.
We headed off on our first overnight fishing adventure. Silas was excited.
