Week one of Learn at Home
I would say week one of learn at home went well. Every day was different and changed as we figured it out but for the most part it looked like learning from 10-12 and then again from 1-3.
We start every day with 20 minutes of reading a novel of choice. I am glad that we had books out from the library when this physical distancing thing started, so the kids are working through them. However, I may have to look into online books. Starting the day with reading gets them into the mode of learning for the day.
This is followed by some other form of literacy, which might be writing, brainstorming, reading together, etc. Then there is usually a science lesson of some kind. One day it was as simple as how to wash your hands to get everywhere clean. However, we have done some experiments, building and baking too. Gym looks different as it just means movement. Some days it is playing Just Dance on the Nintendo Switch, other days it is a long walk down our road, or exploring the back yard. There have been games as well as sword fights with the grasses found in the ditch, badminton and other things as well. French is the DuoLingo website. Its a little dry, but it is good and they are learning. One day I found a cute video of the three little bears in French and they watched that. I have also found some apps to explore. It's all about balance. During lunch we have started with every other day it is your turn to help mom make lunch, and the other person has to pick something off the chore chart. After eating you get some free time.
So far there is a drawer cleaned out, the kitchen swept and other good stuff happening. Food has been things like left overs, grilled cheese, fresh bread.
We try to do music every day. Easton has a project to build an instrument, so we are working on a didgeridoo with a two page write up that his teacher sent home to work on during the March Break. This has taken days but the process is fun and we have time. He also practices his guitar. His guitar teacher is posting on Instagram, so I now have Instagram. Hadley brought her clarinet home from school, and she is practicing her piano too.
For Math, we are working our way through knowledge hook, which is a math online game that mails you a real medal if you complete it. They are also doing Prodigy, which is a math battle game that they can meet up with classmates to play online, and I have paid for Adventure Academy, which is a quest game online for math, language arts, science, and social studies. The kids really like it. Hadley sometimes meets up with her friend Rachel from skating and they talk on the phone while they navigate the quests. We have also been doing art projects, social online painting classes, amongst other fun things. The Toronto Zoo is posting videos every day with a new animal, and you can learn all about them. Plus I have a spreadsheet of fun websites and ideas to explore.
In the next week or so I suspect there will be suggested ideas from the government. Hadley's math teacher sent out an optional assignment today on google classroom, so we will look into that. Also a website called Entertain Kids on a Dime, is having volunteer teachers post lessons that you can print out that are grade specific. Plus I had the Canadian Curriculum work books in the cupboard that are now pulled out.
We had a pretty relaxing weekend. We are hearing more birds, watching movies together and playing board games. This weekend's movie was Jumanji, both kids liked it and the parents too.
Brian is still working from home in the basement, luckily the kids know how to act for the most part when he is working so he can make conference calls. No travel for him for the foreseeable future. We are thankful that he is working and we don't have to worry about government grants to get by. So that is great! Way less stress.
We watched the iheartradio concert on TV last night which was a bunch of singers trying to raise money for food banks in the US. Still the message was clear that being a front line worker in hospitals, grocery stores and truck drivers etc. are valued and we are thankful for them all!
I have only been out of the house where I saw other people once since March 12th to pick up an online grocery order. I literally pushed the button on the van to open the back and a worker put my groceries inside. When I got home I sanitized everything before it was put away.
I will pick up more again tomorrow March 31st. I placed an order ten days ago, and that is the wait time to get your groceries. For now you are still allowed to go into the grocery stores but I don't want to. Too risky. I feel like I will be on a mission for a supply run and it is up to me if my family eats. (Okay a little dramatic, but kind of real too).
The Prime Minister is self isolated as his wife has had COVID - 19. So he gives updates on social media. Every day there is new information. I try to get just the information I need as too much information is just fear causing.
The current number of cases in Canada was 6,258 as of yesterday. By comparison the US 144,410. I am glad our borders are closed and Canadians are fairly good at physical distancing.
I have had a mommy group conference call girls night in. Which is better than not meeting up at all.
Life is different. But we are okay.