Tens of thousands of parents are about to discover a new level of appreciation for their children’s teachers.
Alexandria City, Fairfax County and Arlington County schools are closed for an estimated four weeks and all of Virginia public schools closed for at least two weeks, and that means parents will be taking the place of teachers in some ways.
Fortunately for parents, many teachers in our area have already provided or are working on giving out worksheets, learning packets and enrichment activity ideas for parents to use over the next month.
In addition, Alexandria City Public Schools students in grades 3 – 12 brought home their Chromebooks to enable online learning. Many Fairfax County students also have these resources.
The largest Internet provider in our area, Comcast, is increasing Internet access and speed, particularly for low-income families, through its Internet Essentials program.
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HOW DO YOU HOMESCHOOL?
We talked to some parents who homeschool normally for advice, and we’ve gathered a handful of resources you can use to supplement what local schools provide:
Set a schedule. Keeping children in a routine during uncertain times like this can provide stability and reduce anxiety.
“It’s important kids don’t see this as an indefinite snow day,” Dr. Michael Rich, director of the Center on Media and Child Health at Harvard Medical School, told The New York Times.
A photographer in Massachusetts posted on social media a COVID-19 daily schedule for all ages that includes time outside, academic time, creative time and more. You may want to talk to your children about their normal daily schedule at school and try to replicate it to some extent.
Jessica McHale Photography on Facebook
(Predictably, joke versions of the schedule started appearing online over the weekend, replacing everything but meals and bedtime with "iPad.")
Access free (or low-cost) resources. The Internet is a gold mine of educational materials – just be sure you’re going to reputable sources for information, which may include government agencies or professional associations.
If you aren’t sure about a source or would like help finding reputable websites, contact your student’s regular teacher. Teachers are a wealth of information, from what we've heard, they are very willing to help parents get through this difficult time.
At this time, Alexandria City and Fairfax County Public Libraries are open and operating on a normal schedule. Some programs have been canceled, but there are plenty of books available to check out.
If you are staying away from public places and physical objects, both Alexandria City and Fairfax County have ebooks available to check out, as well. All you need is your library card and the library's app (more info here for Alexandria City and here for Fairfax County).
Fairfax County Library card holders can also get free access to Lynda.com, a website full of online learning resources for all ages.
- If your kids love reading, check out the classic literature available free electronically through Project Gutenberg.
- The American Chemical Society provides a complete chemistry curriculum for multiple age groups.
- Check out some of the lesson plans from the National Endowment for the Humanities' Edsitement.
- NASA has printable STEM workbooks for several grade levels.
- National Geographic Kids has a lot of free resources, too.
- Scholastic Learn at Home is providing 20 days’ worth of learning assets free during coronavirus restrictions.
- In addition, check out the options from Outschool.com, ProdigyGame.com and KhanAcademy.org.
- Does your kid love money? This would be a great time to teach them about personal finance. InCharge.org offers lesson plans for multiple grade levels.
Tap your neighbors. We’re all in this together. Does your child want to be something when they grow up? Chances are someone in your community can come up with some activities, educational resources and more to help your child learn about that career path.
Help kids pick up a new hobby. This might be a good time to do something the kids have always wanted to do. Again, tap any neighbors who would be willing to give your child a lesson about car mechanics, woodworking, knitting, art or cooking. You may be able to do the same for their children or someone they know, too. Collaborate! We're all in this together.
Order kits. If your budget allows, there are a variety of mail-order STEM or creative kits that your child can receive. WeTheParents.org rates science kits here. Also, this can be a great time for Lego kits, model car building or some of those more complicated art projects that you never seem to have time to do.
Go back to nature. Since spring seems to have arrived early, start planning and planting a backyard garden or start container gardening. In addition, while some outlets are discouraging going to the playground because the virus can live on surfaces for several days without cleaning, our region has some great places to go hiking. Download guides and challenges from the Fledgling Birders Institute.
Volunteer! Some vulnerable and at-risk groups are being advised to stay home. Along with volunteering to help those in your community, visit Volunteer Alexandria for opportunities to volunteer for nonprofit organizations in need this spring.
Do you have additional ideas? Put them in the comments below.
