Suddenly Homeschooling? Here’s a Guide.
Things just got real in New York City. The Department of Education has closed down all its schools, which number close to 2000, until April 20th because of the Coronavirus. If you know anything about the NYC public school system, you know that school closings are a rarity. Basically, the impossible just happened.
Now what?
First, my deepest sympathies go to anyone who has personally been affected by this epidemic. My prayers are with you.
My heart also goes out to all those parents/guardians who cannot take off from work to be home with their children and are trying to figure out what to do for the next month in terms of childcare. Lord-willing, this will all be temporary.
But for those of you who have suddenly found yourselves “homeschoolers” because you and your children are homebound, I wanted to provide you with a little guide of resources to help.
Let’s start with a small piece of advice:
Breathe. Just breathe.
It’s going to be okay.
I get that most schools are going to provide some type of remote learning instruction. This may happen immediately or it may take some time before it takes affect. I also understand that many of you don’t want your children to fall behind in their studies. Listen, I was a NYC classroom teacher for 12 years. I TOTALLY get it. But there are some things you can do in the meantime.
Be Open to Change
I’m going to share some links below with practical suggestions and curricula. However, nothing really matters without a change of mindset.
Instead of trying to recreate school at your kitchen table, look at this time as an opportunity to spend quality time with your children. At some point in parenthood, most working moms and dads have had a moment where they wished they could have extra time with their kids. They may have wanted to do things like be more outdoors with them or play catch more or even read a good book together on a consistent basis. Unfortunately, with everyone’s busy schedules, that quality time has become non-existent.
This is your moment
to be intentional
with your family.
Do the things with your children that you’ve had on your heart to do for a long time but just didn’t have the time to do so before.
Recognize Learning
Can Happen Anywhere
Our society has trained us to believe education can only happen in school by a trained professional with a textbook or online schooling. This is false. Learning can happen anywhere and at any time.
In our homeschool, we use Charlotte Mason’s Philosophy of Education. Miss Mason was a British educator who believed in educating the whole child, not just their minds, with a wide and liberal curriculum. Part of this vast curriculum was Nature Study.
Nature Study is an excellent way to continue their learning.
Go outside and take nature walks in your neighborhood. Drive to a nature preserve. (If you live in the city and think you don’t have options, read my post “Finding Beauty Amidst Concrete” for ideas.) Discover the beauty of nature that often goes unnoticed with the rush of life.
Let your kids tell you about their findings. Bring home nature treasures to observe later. Have them paint what they remember in a nature notebook. Let them connect and learn firsthand from careful observation.
If your children want to learn more about a particular topic, you can take out digital books from your library website.
That’s meaningful, hands on learning that can happen anywhere. (Plus, nature walks or hikes naturally flow with social distancing!)
Creatively Teach
Across Ages
If you have multiple children of varying ages, there are several lessons you can do across the board, regardless of age.
Family Read Alouds
There are so many wonderful books out there that can be read across ages. Of course, their understanding of the stories will differ, but the enjoyment will be the same. And the bonding that happens as you read a great book together is priceless!
Here are a few titles to start with that can be found as an eBook or audiobook in your library system:
The Chronicles of Narnia Series
The Vanderbeekers Series
The Penderwicks Series
The Mysterious Benedict Society Series
The Green Ember Series
The Little House Series
The Little Women Series
Sarah Mackenzie’s Read Aloud Revival is a great source for quality read alouds.
Audible is temporarily offering children’s books for FREE!!
Nature Study
I already spoke about this above but I just wanted to clarify that Nature Study can successfully be implemented from your youngest to your oldest.
Nicole Williams is a wonderful expert in this area and walks us through a nature walk in Nature Walks, Excursions and Rambles on her website.
Jack Laws & Emilie Lygren have released the complete PDF of their new book “How to Teach Nature Journaling” for FREE. (Their book will be for sale in a few months so take advantage while you can.)
Poetry
Take just 5 minutes and read some poetry aloud with your kids. If they’re not used to it, that’s okay. Eventually, they begin to enjoy the beauty of the poet’s words.
When I first started poetry with my daughter, I chose Emily Dickinson as our poet to focus on. I wasn’t sure how she was going to react, but she absolutely loved her poetry! We’re currently reading Robert Frost and his lovely poems on nature.
If you’re not sure where to start, we use the “Poetry for Young People” series. Each book in their series focuses on one poet and their most popular poems. The watercolor illustrations that accompany the poems are just beautiful. I’m not sure if it can be found in the library system but it’s definitely inexpensive online if bought used.
Ambleside Online (AO) also has FREE POETRY so you don’t have to worry about having a physical book. It includes a variety of poets so all you have to do is click on a name and a selection of their poetry is at your fingertips! (AO is an amazing FREE ONLINE CURRICULUM that many homeschooling families use.)
Art Appreciation
Choose 1 great artist to focus on and select at least 6 of his/her paintings to study. Have your children focus on one of their masterpieces for a couple of weeks. Let them observe the beauty of the painting. Even try having them look intently and covering the artwork to see what they remember from the painting. Afterwards, you can talk about that particular art piece, like the title of it and other interesting facts concerning it as well as about the artist. Place it somewhere around your home where they can see it daily. Then the following week, have them paint what they remember, not to replicate it, but to appreciate what spoke most to the child. You can repeat this same process for the next art piece from your artist.
You can find FREE ARTIST STUDY RESOURCES on the following websites:
You can even venture off on studying one composer as well. If that interests you, you might find the following podcast on ARTIST & COMPOSER STUDY helpful:
Bible (or other religious text)
Reading the Bible or any other religious text according to your family’s beliefs is precious time spent with your kids.
For us, we alternate the Old Testament and the New Testament, reading one chapter a day. Then my daughter tells me what she remembers or what stood out to her.
Here’s a podcast that can be helpful in implementing Bible lessons:
Other Wonderful Resources
Please check out these wonderful resources that can be just what you were looking for!
FREE CURRICULA !!!!
A few homeschooling communities have graciously provided FREE CURRICULA to help those in emergency situations like the one you may be finding yourself in.
Encouraging
Blog & IG Posts for
Homebound Families
Blog & IG Posts for
Homebound Families
These mamas have put together practical suggestions, from schedules to activities, to make your time with your children more purposeful.
8 Things to Do With Your Kids While You Ride Out Covid-19
Encouragment on Home Activities
Wild + Free Resources for Families who Find Themselves Suddenly at Home
Weaving Tutorials for Kids of All Ages
Science Experiments & STEM Activities
(Username: MMFMarchApril
Password: schoolmusic)
Small Yet Forever Watercolor Activities (Directions here but Printables Below)
Other Websites
WANT TO KNOW
THE SECRET TO MY
HOMESCHOOLING?
WANT TO KNOW
THE SECRET TO MY
HOMESCHOOLING?
Despite all my experience as a professional teacher and despite my daughter’s love for learning, homeschooling was one of the biggest challenges I have ever faced. I prepped all I could and created my own curriculum, but our home lacked consistent peace. It wasn’t until I started submitting to the Holy Spirit that things started to change for the better.
Dependence on the Holy Spirit made all the difference for me. He is the one who teaches my child. I’m just the “assistant” teacher. I pray that calms any heart out there that may be feeling inadequate or fearful of suddenly becoming a home educator.
Whatever it is that gives you peace, hold on to that.
This time of uncertainty
doesn’t have to be
one of fear and despair.
It can be the
season of REST,
LOVE & LEARNING
your family has
been longing for.
season of REST, LOVE & LEARNING
your family has
been longing for.
You’re not alone. We’re here to help as much as we can. If you have any questions or other helpful resources, please feel free to comment below.
This is such a helpful post! I love that you offered resources that will allow families to jump right in without feeling like everything has to be perfect first.
Thank you! My heart really goes out to all these homebound families. Praying this offers hope in the craziness.