In the event of a pandemic it's a certainty that schools will be closed. If you have school aged kids, now is the time to start making preparations for their continued education during their quarantine period.
Education in Isolation
So you have finally got everything you might need to go into isolation. But did you remember that your children will be there with you, in isolation, anywhere from 6 months to a year. That's right your child might be out of school for a year. There is no better way to make the time fly by, then to be educating your child. Here are some helpful tips in getting prepared to home school your children during this time:
Emergency School Kit
1. Put at least 20 books at your child's reading level that they have not read into kit.
2. Supplies: Pens, pencils, pencil sharpener, paper, markers, index cards (For Flash Cards), Dictionary, eraser etc….
3. Work books for reading, writing, and math at your child's level. (School Zone is one title.) You can buy these books at any Wal-mart or Target.
4. Encyclopedias for older children.
Tips for Lessons:
1. Set aside 3-4 hours a day for school time.
2. Get as much work from the teacher that you can.
3. Get Familiar with the CA State Standards.
4. Download the Standards today and put them in the Emergency Kit. The power might go off and you might not have access to a computer.
5. Give your child a mixture of subjects and every 20 mins. to an hour give them a break.
6. Buddy read with them and discuss the book.
7. They should be reading, writing, and doing math problems everyday. One hour per subject. These are the most critical subjects. If you have time science, social studies, art, and music are some fun subjects to include.
8. Incorporate learning throughout everyday activates. Example: When cooking you can teach them measurements, reading recipes, and step by step instructions.
9. Most importantly make learning fun and interesting. If you are not having fun at it neither is your child!
Ca State Standards is a resource teachers rely on to plan their curriculum. It is also what the CA State Standardize Test is based on. Don't worry if you live in a different state, CA Standards are considered to be one of the highest. Simply go to the web site click onto the grade and subject and it will show objectives the child needs to know to pass that grade.
Remember you were you child's first teacher. You know your child better then any teacher they have ever had or will have. Don't be surprised that when they do return to school they are more advanced then when they left off. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to take on the teacher roll and give your child the greatest gift of all, the gift of education.
Web Site:
http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/engmain.asp
By: Jennifer Polk (4th Grade teacher)
