A Parent's Guide to Distant Learning

I have all this free time now and I was thinking what I should do. I remembered how much I love to blog and figured I would start back up again! Today I am going to be telling you how to tackle Distant Learning! This is a very strange and difficult time and a lot of parents are now at home trying to get their kids motivated to learn. I am no expert, however I do have some tips that might make this transition go a little bit more smoothly.

Structure

Work Zone

First things first: Structure. While your child is at school Monday-Friday, they have a lot of structure. Kids thrive on this. You want to have a set area in your house that is designated a "work zone". Do not change the work zone. Keep this consisted all throughout. This will become a new learning environment for your child and will help create stability. If this place is your living room, do not have them do their school work in the kitchen. It sounds weird but kids become accustomed to their learning environment. They thrive on knowing where they are going to be and what they are going to do next. They like knowing the same familiar face greeting them every morning in the classroom.

If you don't believe me, try it one time. There is a reason teachers fear holiday parties, being absent, etc. They know that students will no longer have the structure they are used to and they will be all out of wack! To make picking a place more enjoyable, allow your child to help you choose their "work space". Pick 3 places and give them the option of choosing from the 3. This way they still feel a sense of control because they are getting to choose. 

Now just because your child has a "work space", doesn't mean this place has to be boring. Your child DOES NOT have to do their work sitting down at a table or a desk. I repeat your child does NOT have to do this. It's all about flexible seating. In my classroom students can sit on the carpet with clipboards, at their desks, use carpet squares, my flexible seating options, tables, etc. Students learn all in different ways. Let them do their work whatever way is the most comfortable for them. If they will do their best work laying down, let them! As long as they are working  and getting things accomplished in their work space, allow them to learn in whatever way is best for them!

Schedule

Schedules are a part of structure. Along with having a work zone, your child needs a schedule that they have to maintain everyday. I know it might be a pain, however keeping a schedule will ensure that your child can start getting that structure back and more willing to do their work.

I know it might be hard coming up with your own schedule. And you might be thinking...well how long should they be doing math anyway?? Or reading! Your child should have about 90 minutes of language arts (grammar and reading skills), 60 mins of math, 30-45 mins of writing, 45 mins of science/social studies, and if you can fit in a little bit of art/gym/music a day. You can create this schedule however you want. 

Sometimes you might have to integrate science/social studies into your math/reading/writing. How can you do this? Easiest way is through reading! Pick a science/social studies book (reading) and have your child do a project or experiment based on what they read. Here is a schedule I sent out to my parents if you'd like to follow this similar outline:

9:30-11:00 Reading

11:00-11:15 Brain Break

11:15-12:00 word study/writing

12:00-12:15 brain break 

12:15-1:15 lunch/recess

1:15-1:30 calming brain break

1:30- 2:15 special

2:15-3:15 Math

I broke down reading a little bit on what to do in the 90 minutes for reading. And I can do the same later on in this blog!

Brain Breaks

You might be already wondering How do teachers get all of these kids to sit still and do work?? Two words: brain breaks. We are asking a lot out of kids. They need breaks to recharge and focus. I am really big on brain breaks. My students get one when we eat snack, before lunch, and after recess. Each brain break is something different.

Snack- this brain break we eat snack and I either read to them or we watch an online story. There are websites that bring stories to life. Students love these. If you type "infohio bookflix"into google, then click the first link (Bookflix- InfOhio), last hit open under the B, you will get access to these free online books. You have to do it exactly like this. There a lot of books for your child to enjoy while snacking. I believe in snacks and provide snacks for my students every day. Students will not learn if their basic needs are not met. It doesn't matter how old they are. It's hard for you to get work done when you are hungry! Let them snack, take a break and watch a story.

Before Lunch- This is a fun brain break! They have been working so hard all day. Allow them to unwind and have some fun. 

Options for at home: dance party, gonoodle (all videos are on youtube), just dance (on youtube), play outside, play inside, color, etc. 

Another fun thing you can do is put all these ideas in a jar and pick one each day for this brain break!

After Recess- This brain break is crucial lol. Students are a little bit hyper after lunch and recess. This brain break is to help center them and bring them back down to earth. This is a calming brain break. You can search YouTube for "calming gonoodle videos", do yoga, breathing exercises, read, etc. Peaceful things where students won't be moving around as much. 

When completing your schedule, make sure you include brain breaks!

Academics

Schedule Break Down

You might be thinking what can I do to fill a full 90mins of reading?? Well I am here to help! For the first 10mins do an interactive read aloud. Read a book with your child and ask engaging questions. for the next 20 mins focus on a reading and grammar topic! For 30 minutes have your child read. Your child should be reading every day for 30 minutes. They can read to you while you are doing other things around the house, read to a sibling, read to self, etc. For the last 30 minutes focus on the work the teacher might've provided or online resources you were given. 

For writing, come up with your own prompt to have them respond to. Ask them to write about the book they read, write about somewhere they've been before, write about traveling to space, etc. When in doubt ask them to write about what they read or they're favorite part of the book they read.

For math the first 15 minutes, go over the concept they are learning that day. The last 45mins allow them to do activities the teacher has planned for them geared towards that lesson or activities online.

For specials (art, gym, music), these can be once a week. Just make sure they are still getting this if you are able. Music, you can create your own band with items around your house. For art, let them draw or have them express their feelings through paper! They can even watch tutorials online how to make things. For gym, have them exercise! Play fun games outside.

Learning Through Experiences

You don't have to just do paper and pencil for your child to learn. Turn math into cooking! If your child is learning how to add, let them help you cook and add the ingredients, etc. If your child LOVES science, plan a science day! Do experiments all day and tie in reading, writing, and math. To make reading interactive, create a play! This will tie in writing. Do a puppet show where your child makes the lines and reads them. 

Engage them. That is the best way to have them learn. Kids are going to go NUTS if they have to sit at a table and do work on paper or a tablet all day. Make it engaging and fun! Turn into a bakery shop and bake all day, while tying in math, reading, and writing. These experiences will help your child learn so much!

To Wrap Things Up

I hope I was able to ease things a little bit. There are so many online resources and if you would like links to some, don't be afraid to ask. Also don't be afraid to ask for help form teachers or anyone with some knowledge on this! Don't worry, you've got this. And remember to thank a teacher.