At-Home Session? What Can School at Home Look Like?
The beginning of the 2020-21 school year has been awesome!
I know we have completely different routines and processes right now but coming
back together with students has been amazing! They are genuinely so happy to be
back, and we are so excited to have them.
But it is different – a huge part being that half of
the learning day takes place at home. I have been talking to students as they
arrive for the morning and afternoon sessions and have been asking them what
the other half of their day looks like. Wow! I have received so many different
ideas; some that make me smile and nod my head and others that leave me a bit
concerned. I wanted to take some time and list my top ideas for how we might
best be able to support our children while they are learning from home.
- Learning Space
Having a desk at home is not an absolute necessity for educational success. I clearly remember doing my homework early on in school from the kitchen table and later, as a teenager, from my room (mainly my bed). The most important thing to have is one consistent spot where children can follow a learn-at-home routine. Make choosing the learning space a family project and let your child have some voice in choosing and decorating the space. You could even come up with a family name for your space, like “The Melnyk Learning Academy.” They could put up a sign when it is time for school work.
Help your child set up their learning space by minimizing distractions. Younger children may work better creating their learning space in a central location, especially if their bedroom is filled with distracting toys and games. Learning spaces should include all the things your child needs to have a successful home learning experience, such as any materials the school has sent home, a flat surface for writing, and necessities like pencils and erasers. Make sure the space is close to a power outlet and has a place for their Chromebook.
- Routines
Children, just like adults, thrive on structure and routines. Consistent routines help students focus. Children can learn most easily when they know what to expect. The most important thing we can do for our kids during times of transition and change is to maintain routines.
We can help our children establish routines by continuing to have a regular bedtime and wake up time. Help your child plan for when their “school time” at home will take place. Some students who attend in the AM Session I spoke with told me that when they get home after in-person school, it is time for lunch, a little play, and then straight back to “at-home” school. Several of my students who attend the PM Session told me that they like completing their “at home” learning early in the morning so they have time to ride their bike before getting ready for school. The important part of creating a home plan is that children can establish a daily routine of learning from home.
- Independence
School lessons rarely go perfectly even for professional teachers. Kids struggle with directions and get frustrated no matter how well we prepare or think we have explained the material. My favorite teaching memory is the student who comes up after a 45-minute lesson on decimals and says, “I don’t get it.” “What don’t you get?” “Uhm…all of it!”
Teachers spend much of their preparation time analyzing activities to improve the next lesson. As families become more involved in the learning process, it is crucial to treat the students' inevitable missteps as learning opportunities. Provide encouragement and support. If your child is feeling overwhelmed or confused reassure them that learning takes time, mistakes are a part of the process, and encourage them to reach out to their teacher for help.
Guide your child – but don’t steer for them. A critical life-long skill is problem-solving. Being able to solve problems leads to better ability to independently manage life successfully. We want to build our student’s independence and ability to problem solve through the road blocks that get in the way.
The last thing I want to say is thank you! Thank you to all
the parents who have partnered with us through this time until we can all come
together again. We will thrive and our children will be better because of your
efforts and support.
-Ms. Melnyk, HBRES Principal
