Welp, it’s been six weeks of “distance learning” here in NJ. Our governor hasn’t made the call yet to cancel the remainder of the school year, but considering how the rest of the states are trending, my guess is we will be closed, too.
At this point, my feelings are so mixed. I’m ready to get back to “normal,” but also I’m scared of this disease. I want us to be as safe as humanly possible before we get back out there.
I’ve been hemming and hawing on writing this post. I’ve started it so.many.times only to just abruptly hit “delete” and shut my computer down. I just can’t bring myself to sit down and offer advice on how to handle this situation. My guess is because I don’t actually feel like I’m “handling” it. Every single day is a roller coaster of thoughts and emotion. Some days are beautiful and I feel so grateful for this time and period of “slow.” But, then there are (many!) others where I’m crying in the bathroom and drinking way too much wine and failing to shake the elephant sitting on my chest. And what gets me most on those days is the guilt. It does not escape me – ever – that I am so blessed to live in a household where neither my husband or I need to leave the house AND our income has not been affected by the shut down. My kids are warm and safe and well-fed. Aside from complaining of being “bored” during the hours when they are not allowed screen time, they eventually figure out how to play with (and enjoy!!) the insane amount of toys, games, puzzles, sports’ equipment, bikes, etc. we have and move on with their day.
I have nothing to complain about… and yet…
This is hard.
No other word for it. THIS.IS.HARD.
Teaching online is hard. Not seeing your students in person is hard. Zoom meetings are hard. Teaching your own children is impossible hard.
It’s all hard.
And, I’m not sure it’s all that effective either. There. I said it. Distance learning is blah, at best. Take it from someone who is educating four kids at home.
- Twenty minutes of self-selected reading per day – books, magazines, the newspaper… just read!
- Two Newsela articles per week, along with the quizzes, Power Word activities, and writing prompts
- Twenty minutes of free writing per day
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