Home schooling Update

So we are 5 days in to the lock down and things are not easy by any stretch of the imagination. The cars haven't moved since Monday and the only time we have left the house is either for exercise or to pick up some essential groceries at the Tesco Express around the corner.

Coronavirus is still rife in the UK to the point where even Boris Johnson, our PM, has now been diagnosed with it. Last night the nation pulled together at 8pm to stand outside the front doors or at windows and applaud our NHS staff who are working so hard to try and handle the increasing number of infections everyday.

Having to home school for all of this week has been very challenging and in addition to applauding the NHS, I think all teachers deserve a massive pat on the back. Admittedly we are not trained teachers, but we are finding it tough with 3 kids, let alone having a class full of 20-30 to handle!!! I am still trying to work from home which means I cannot fully commit to the kids during office hours, but try to support Tina as much as I can. In some respects it is fortunate I am working from home as I do not think Tina would have coped this week without the help. It will certainly be hard going for her when I return back to work.

As the week has evolved I think the hone schooling has got better. Rather than try and structure a school day we have basically said to the kids that they have 6 things to achieve each day before they can have their leisure time. These 6 things are:

1. Minimum 30 minutes reading

2. Two lots of 30-45 min academic sessions.

3. Something creative.

4. Some form of P.E.

5. Some house chores.

With have given up chasing them to do the work, they have the list, know what is expected, and if they want leisure time then it is in their interest to get it done. Within the school day we have also told them they can take 2 x 15 min breaks for a snack etc and then an hour for lunch. We have also encouraged them to watch at least one documentary each day as prt of their learning.

For one day this week we managed to get all 3 kids doing Joe Wick's P.E. class.

Brandon doing some studying in the "man cave".

For today's creative work Joshua made a no entry sign out of an illuminating wire board.

The finished article which he wants to hand in his bedroom.

Joshua doing some online BBC maths work.

Holly working hard on some old learning books we had from when Brandon and Joshua were younger.

For P.E. today Joshua and Brandon decided to go out for an early morning cycle and did 2 laps of the Wick (almost 10k).

Holly has got in to a routine of jumping in the hot tub with me mid afternoon just as soon as all my work is done.