Since most of the people saying "virtual learning is the future" don't have kids, I've decided to break down what a normal day is like as a working mom with 3 kids.
Wake up and crank out as much work as possible before kids start to stir.
7:30am feed kids + get them dressed
8:00am begin printing off worksheets from google classroom (they are only posted the morning of)
7:30am feed kids + get them dressed
8:00am begin printing off worksheets from google classroom (they are only posted the morning of)
8:45am MUST be checked in to 1st grade google classroom or else you are marked as absent
9:00am Preschool Zoom for 4 yo while I attempt to play with demanding 3 year old
9:05 realize 4 yo clicked out of zoom and have to help her
9:00am Preschool Zoom for 4 yo while I attempt to play with demanding 3 year old
9:05 realize 4 yo clicked out of zoom and have to help her
10am First grade zoom meeting. Must make sure she has the appropriate worksheets handy and that NOTHING is distracting to her (read: remove 4 yo + 3 yo from vicinity)
10:30am Do part 1 of math homework - tee up video and make sure she has the right worksheet
10:30am Do part 1 of math homework - tee up video and make sure she has the right worksheet
10:45am do activity of the day from 4 yo's class with my 4 + 3 yo to keep them busy
11am brain break outside while I crank on 30 mins of work and upload finished math homework to google classroom
*note all of the above are sometimes multi-tasked while I lead zoom calls
11am brain break outside while I crank on 30 mins of work and upload finished math homework to google classroom
*note all of the above are sometimes multi-tasked while I lead zoom calls
11:30 lunch time while I'm on zoom
12:00 stick 3+4 yo in front of screens so 1st grader can do 2nd zoom call of the day (must log her in and make sure she has writing/reading worksheets ready)
12:30-2pm constant battle with 1st grader to finish writing + reading + math hw pt 2
12:00 stick 3+4 yo in front of screens so 1st grader can do 2nd zoom call of the day (must log her in and make sure she has writing/reading worksheets ready)
12:30-2pm constant battle with 1st grader to finish writing + reading + math hw pt 2
2:00pm upload work and film flipgrid video of what she learned. Must be next to her to get to flipgrid.
2:30pm snack time and afternoon outdoor play while I catch up on work
3:00pm remember we didn't do phonics and head back to computer for last lesson of the day
2:30pm snack time and afternoon outdoor play while I catch up on work
3:00pm remember we didn't do phonics and head back to computer for last lesson of the day
4:00pm screen time while I prep dinner and am doing calls again / have 1 hour of focus
5:00pm dinner time
6:00pm bath time x 3
7:00pm read to 3 yo / put him to bed
7:30pm put girls to bed
8:00pm actually get girls to bed
8:30pm make sure we got all HW submitted
5:00pm dinner time
6:00pm bath time x 3
7:00pm read to 3 yo / put him to bed
7:30pm put girls to bed
8:00pm actually get girls to bed
8:30pm make sure we got all HW submitted
8:45 - 10:45 Catch up on all work
11pm bedtime
11pm bedtime
TL;DR the hands-on presence required is NOT just about the technology but the ability to stay organized, keep them focused and support their questions when they don't understand something.
having a person present is essential for small children.
having a person present is essential for small children.
