Peek into Quarantine Week

Home School (aka Distance Learning)

This was my first week of home schooling all four boys and what I’ve learned is – it’s not easy. I’m a full-time mom with a teaching degree and IT’S NOT EASY. I’m putting that out there so that every other parent can give themselves some grace!!!

This is new to ALL of us, and it’s not streamlined or organized. I’m not sure if we are getting it all done, or done correctly?! My mantra right now:

Good enough is good enough.

Here’s a breakdown of what each of us are doing:

George:

George has been a rock star – starting his day on time, figuring out all his assignments, checking them off, one-by-one. He asks me for help in understanding a few things. My favorite subject to do with him is Minnesota Studies. We are both learning so much about our state. He’s in sixth grade and has 7 classes. Each class is giving him about 20 minutes worth of homework.

Clark

Clark isn’t a fan of home learning. He needs social interaction and competition to thrive. His favorite part of home learning are zoom chats with his entire class.

Paul

Paul’s doing good with home school. I assist him with about 50% of his work. His home school consists of reading on an app called EPIC, math on an app called IXL, and other assignments on an app called SeeSaw. His teacher sends a daily video and list of activities to my Gmail. They also do classroom zoom chats. His favorite part of the day is getting outside to hike and explore.

Luke

I’m trying to keep Luke busy with letter worksheets, art, small-motor activities, and some digital learning games while I help his brothers with school. The boys take turns reading and practicing letters with him, and his preschool teacher has posted videos on youtube for him to watch and learn.

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Kathryn:

I usually make everyone a big breakfast, and then we start homeschool at 9AM. I move from kid to kid throughout the morning helping them start activities, finish work, or answer questions.

Lunch is simple – sandwiches or mac-n-cheese and fruit.

After lunch we finish our homework and then we get outside until it’s time to get dinner ready.

Most nights we eat dinner together. This has been one of my favorite parts of quarantine – lots of time around the table! After dinner the kids can have some videogame time, or we will watch a show. Some shows we like to watch together:

• The Voice (cheering on my cousin Jon),
• America’s Funniest Home Videos,
• Survivor (cheering on Boston Rob), and we’ve just started watching
• The Mandalorian – a Star Wars themed show on Disney
• We also like to watch Mark Rober on YouTube

I usually read about 5 books a month. However, this month I only finished ONE book – Give and Take: Helping Others Drives our Success by Adam Grant.

Ted:

Ted is staying busy with work for Target – but working from home. He has conference calls and video chats throughout the day. Sometimes it’s tricky keeping four boys quiet while he’s on a call. He told me the other day, when I was in the shower, he was on a call and heard one of our sons shout, “I love bacon!” Then all four boys starting chanting “I love bacon!” Thankfully, his co-workers thought it was funny, but now I make sure he doesn’t have a conference call before I get in the shower.

Getting Outside!

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Getting outside is one of our favorite parts of the day – especially now that the sun is coming out and the weather is getting warmer! Minnesota winters are LONG, which makes spring and summer so much sweeter.

One afternoon, while out on a hike, the boys caught a water bug, a slug, and a leech, then put them into the same bucket with pond water to see what would survive. They watched the giant water bug use his proboscis to kill the minnow.

3 Things we learned:

1. The word Proboscis: the long appendage on the front of a bug or animal. It’s the part of a mosquito that sticks into a human to suck it’s blood.
2. Water bugs have a large proboscis that they use to poke and kill their prey.
3. We don’t have to be in school to learn about science and nature!

What I’m loving:

• Psalm 91 – I’m starting each day by reading this passage of Scripture.
• Covid Memes! So much laughter!
• Slower pace and time with my family
• FaceTime with family and friends
• Family Dinners
• My “One Line a Day” Book. I’m capturing some of what’s happening in this simple journal. It will be interesting to look back on in years to come. I also write funny things my kids say and do.

What are you loving right now? Leave me a comment by clicking on the comment box by the title of this post.

Thanks for reading! Can’t wait to share a post written by my husband soon. Subscribe so you don’t miss a post.