With all of the uncertainty surrounding Covid and public schools next year, you may find yourself (possibly for the first time) considering homeschooling. This can be a very overwhelming, constant thought.
Even though my kids aren't in public school, I have many friends who did have their kids enrolled in school this last year. Even though the teachers did the best job they could with the circumstances they had to work with, it was still not a good situation.
I heard stories of trying to schedule multiple Zoom meetings with multiple kids using one computer, worksheet after worksheet, lack of learning and lots of stress.
If the schools open back up in the fall (which I really doubt they will in most places), it will not be the same at all. Some of the proposed guidelines I have seen involve tape on the floor for social distancing, no recess, having to wear masks all day, and only attending school several times a week.
If you end up having multiple kids going on different days, or if the weekly schedule rotates-T TH then M W F, it will be very difficult to find childcare or to hold a job that lets you have such a flexible schedule.
If you have decided to give it a go in the fall, here are some things to consider.
1. You need to check out your state's ( or country's) laws about homeschool. You have to follow their guidelines to be legal.
2. You don't need to wait until September to start. If you are worried about pushback, then try starting with one or two favorite or easy subjects over the summer. After a couple of weeks, add another subject. Repeat until you are teaching everything you want to teach in the fall.
3. Start planning out your daily schedule now. Make a sample schedule and put it somewhere you see it frequently throughout the day. Make notes about your children's behavior patterns at different times. Is little Johnny happy and full of energy in the morning? Or does he need a couple of hours to himself before he wants to join the family?
Use these notes about behavior to plan out your school day. These notes will not only help you plan the start and end times of school, but it will also help you plan when to do different subjects and when breaks and snacks are needed.
4. Come up with a plan for the younger kids who aren't in school yet. Then come up with about 10 more backup plans. Be willing to adjust and be flexible, even on a daily basis.
5. Figure out a plan for the kids you aren't working with at the moment. What can they do if they have finished all of their independent work and you are working with their sibling? Can they play with the toddler? Work on chores? Take a break to do whatever they want until it is their turn again?
If you don't have a clear plan and clear expectations for the children you aren't working with, they may become very disruptive. They may even make it impossible to work with anyone else.
6. If distance learning this last school year was horrible, just remember that homeschool isn't like that at all. You can definitely use online education if you want to, but you can also choose to educate using different methods and techniques. And that's okay! Present the materials in the manner that your child learns best. You may have to experiment and change things up as you go along, but it will all work out.
My choice is obviously homeschooling. Yours may not be, and that's OK!