It was announced this past Friday that schools in New York are officially closed for the rest of the year. It comes to no surprise to me and the kids; we already discussed the probability of that happening. And they aren’t bothered in the least, taking the news really well; almost enthusiastically.
My college kids have about 2 weeks left. My second eldest, Lukas, is having a difficult time doing all online classes because of his learning style, which is kinesthetic. If you don’t know, people have different learning styles: visual, auditory, reading and writing, and kinesthetic. Kinesthetic is hands on. He does better being in a classroom doing the work. So it’s a struggle. My youngest, Alex, also has this learning style so the next couple of months to finish the school year will be a little challenge but nothing insurmountable. That is part of the reason I homeschooled my kids years ago so I am fully aware of what homeschool entails.
So just for reference, doing public school education at your dining room or kitchen table IS NOT homeschooling. And here’s why it isn’t. How the schools work is set up, the kids now go to their Google Classroom and get their assignments from about 6-7 teachers. A couple teachers are trying to Zoom twice a week for questions or just do a little class time but it’s all optional. Assignments are due either by the end of the week or the following week. And they are offering extra options for readings and learning websites but again, all optional. There’s not alot that the teachers can do, especially for gym, arts… My kids are older so I don’t really have much to do with any of their school work but I can see having younger children that parents have to find things to engage them more. But that’s still not homeschooling, that’s being a parent. And in my kids case, the teachers can’t give them a letter grade; it’s pass or fail. Do the assignment, show knowledge on a test: pass. Don’t bother to submit anything: Fail. I do get on them to check in with the classroom, especially if I get a call or email from a teacher. They are old enough to take personal responsibility; freshman, sophomore and senior. It’s all on them to get their work done. This is going to be the easiest time they’ll have to get work done. Because they can space out their assignments and some days do not a lick of school work. And with this historical Pandemic we are living through, I am being very lenient and not creating additional work just to fill up the time they’d originally would be in school.
Now here’s the difference with REAL homeschooling. Parents research what curriculum is best for their children. Unlike public school which they follow one curriculum that the state deems best, which the new math and core curriculum is a joke in NYS, homeschool parents have too many curriculums to choose from. Back when I homeschooled, Abeka Book was what I used and I would add in additional subjects from other curriculums to test them out or just because their presentation on a subject was better. Nowadays, there’s more online homeschooling or just classes to download on the computer which was not much of an option 15 years ago. So right there, it’s personalized for the students in choosing what and how they learn. Still have to follow state guidelines, lessons plans, belong to co-ops to do additional classes and have a support system. Real homeschooling is that I am the teacher; you, parent, are the teacher. Not someone who has done everything for you and you just click Classroom and there’s multiple teachers assignments. You, parent, read the history book, quiz them on spelling words, teach them all kinds of math, have them do cursive handwriting in kindergarten (which isn’t even a thing anymore in public school). Sidenote: I remember when I had to put the kids in public school the first year my daughter was in 5th grade and the teacher was just teaching them cursive when she had been doing it since she was 5 years old. Okay, back to homeschool parents. You have to test your kids, submit quarterly report cards to the school district and make sure they are learning and progressing along the state mandates. Lots of flexibility with lots of organization.
Understandably parents who are working from home and are trying to help their kids with school work have a lot on their plate. But just because they are home, doesn’t mean they have to sit for 6 hours, 8am-2pm like they would at the school building. Homeschooling equals flexibility. And in this thrown together mess if life right now, not being rigid is the right path to follow. It’s not a big deal if everything isn’t done. Don’t feel guilty if you didn’t get an art project finished or the reading assignment done. This is new territory for kids too. So it’s unrealistic to put unnecessary expections on parents and children. Conventional school is out the window for the rest of this school year. Take a deep breath and enjoy spending time with your kids. They are YOUR KIDS. No complaints because parenting is not part-time or when it’s convenient; it’s 24/7. Just do your best! This school year is a wash.
