* I realize this is dated information now that e-learning has ended. I will continue to homeschool JP during the summer months since his setting is so relaxed. Preston will continue to read and write each day. We’ll also continue to drill him on his multiplication facts – he will LOVE me for that! 

Homeschool looks a lot different for us right now. For example, Preston has been studying the Battle of Sullivan’s Island. If times were different, we would have taught those lessons from Sullivan’s Island, without a doubt! He would have read all about Colonial William Moultry and then walked around  Fort Moultry. The best part about homeschooling is the hands-on learning. Unfortunately, we had to settle for videos.

Due to the fact that literally everyone on the planet is learning from home right now, I’ve received lots of messages asking for advice and/or suggestions regarding routine and structure. The fact that someone would ask me is quite comical, but I’m flattered they assume I know what I’m doing. Allow me to assure you, most days I don’t. However, I thought I’d share a little about how we’re schooling during the pandemic.

JP

Not too much has changed for JP. Clearly we’ve not been able to get out of the house much. His actual “studies” haven’t changed. He is currently studying Anatomy + Physiology. He absolutely loves it and I’m really enjoying teaching him. I loved A+P in college, so it’s been a fun review for me with a lot less stress since I’m not being graded! We’re using a textbook and notebook from the Timberdoodle curriculum. I can’t say enough positive things about the lessons. (I do partner with the company, but this post is not sponsored and I’m not being compensated in any way. I purchased the material).

For literature, we are reading The War of the Worlds by H.G Wells. I’ll be honest, it is NOT my cup of tea. I am not a sci-fi girl.  JP is enjoying it. In social studies, he is beginning to study the Holocaust. We’re reading the Diary of Anne Franks. To cover math, we partnered with Timberdoodle for a semester long course in coding. We’ve not started it yet, but he’s excited. I have ZERO idea how coding works. It comes naturally to JP so there ya go. He is still painting and recently began sketching in a journal for art.

Preston

Preston’s been fairly easy. His teacher from school sends daily assignments and hosts classroom meetings three times a week. In addition to those lessons, I’m reading short stories by Washington Irving (The Legend of Sleepy Hollow) with him for literature.  He’s  also drawing and writing in a Marvel Comic artist’s book.

We are having both boys keep a Pandemic Journal. I put a writing prompt at the top of a page and they run with it. This whole thing has been so scary and confusing. The journal provides them with a safe place to share their thoughts and emotions.

All of this sounds great, right? Let me assure you, most days we are far from organized. They’re learning, but we definitely haven’t kept a routine.

Our emotional health is riding shotgun these days – it’s our top priority. The kids sleep until they wake up. We make breakfast and watch television together (we love binge watching episodes of MONK) while we eat. We typically get started somewhere around noon.

There are days when we’ve not “done school” at all. #sorrynotsorry

That’s been our not-so structured pandemic plan for education. Hope you guys are doing well!