remote learning demands unreasonable for families

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents did nothing but complain that their teachers were never available in the spring -- that there wasn't any live instruction.

Now you get it and you STILL complain. Just withdraw your child if its such a hassle.

This. People complained when there was not enough live instruction in DL and are now complaining that there is too much. Workbooks and textbooks are not coming back, no funding and getting the same ones for everyone is a serious contract issue etc. for kids that little, sign into whatvwr live pieces woth the teacher work for you and skip the rest.
No one thinks this is easy or really doable with parent working and w supervising kids at the same time.

I didn’t hear anyone argue that they thought the DL day should literally follow the in person 8:30-3 schedule. This clearly responds to the motivation of the schools, not the parents.

+1
There are many ways for the teachers to stay employed without forcing us to adhere to the typical schedule. I'd rather my child have 1-2 hours per week one-on-one with his teacher than this unforgiving schedule. The schools can send out assignments on Monday and throughout the week we can work on them according to our schedules and then report back with everything by Friday. DH and I will have to deal with several graded assignments per week-- -that's what the teachers are demanding. The administrators, and many teachers, are very tone deaf. So, my kid, who would usually be a great student, may have lower grades because I have to choose between his assignments and my paycheck? My kid's school has quite a few teachers on the verge of retirement who are probably ok with this situation. Their kids are grown and out of the house and they've probably already put in their retirement paperwork.

I was with you right up to the teacher-bashing which is so fricking cheap and stupid.

Teachers answer to the principal; the principal to the school district. You’re a true trumper if you think teachers, especially older teachers, are making theses demands on parents just to make life easier for themselves.

Teachers are not your enemy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents did nothing but complain that their teachers were never available in the spring -- that there wasn't any live instruction.

Now you get it and you STILL complain. Just withdraw your child if its such a hassle.

This. People complained when there was not enough live instruction in DL and are now complaining that there is too much. Workbooks and textbooks are not coming back, no funding and getting the same ones for everyone is a serious contract issue etc. for kids that little, sign into whatvwr live pieces woth the teacher work for you and skip the rest.
No one thinks this is easy or really doable with parent working and w supervising kids at the same time.

I didn’t hear anyone argue that they thought the DL day should literally follow the in person 8:30-3 schedule. This clearly responds to the motivation of the schools, not the parents.

+1
There are many ways for the teachers to stay employed without forcing us to adhere to the typical schedule. I'd rather my child have 1-2 hours per week one-on-one with his teacher than this unforgiving schedule. The schools can send out assignments on Monday and throughout the week we can work on them according to our schedules and then report back with everything by Friday. DH and I will have to deal with several graded assignments per week-- -that's what the teachers are demanding. The administrators, and many teachers, are very tone deaf. So, my kid, who would usually be a great student, may have lower grades because I have to choose between his assignments and my paycheck? My kid's school has quite a few teachers on the verge of retirement who are probably ok with this situation. Their kids are grown and out of the house and they've probably already put in their retirement paperwork.

I was with you right up to the teacher-bashing which is so fricking cheap and stupid.

Teachers answer to the principal; the principal to the school district. You’re a true trumper if you think teachers, especially older teachers, are making theses demands on parents just to make life easier for themselves.

Teachers are not your enemy.

I have a kid at a public school and one at a private. I've been reading parent comments and preferences about virtual learning and have come to a conclusion. We spent so much time discussing in person/hybrid/distance learning, and trying to plan for transition between DL and hybrid. However, what we overlooked due to our hope that students would get back to school in person was that we should have prepared two different models for DL. One would be what is being proposed, a set schedule with synchronous learning. The other would be a more asynchronous model, that still has plenty of teacher involvement, but that could be executed at any time. I think that the lack of the flexible model is what is driving so many people to home school.

Without knocking teachers, DL is more work for parents. That is clear. Given that school in a school building is not being offered, we are expecting parents to do more work and giving them less flexibility in terms of when the work is to be done. I hope that if DL is going to continue long term, we give more thought to offering a flexible model that would allow work to be completed according to a schedule set by the family. By the way, a flexible model could benefit teachers as well, especially those who have their own kids at home,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our kids are in kindergarten and third grade. The remote learning schedule outlined by their teachers is unbelievable. I don't understand how even the teachers can agree with doing this to small children. It's torture.

I know, it's hard, we all have to do this somehow but please, within reason. Why are iPads and Chromebooks the only option? I get it, they need to learn technology. But how about they use their iPads and Chromebooks for an hour rather than on and off all day long. How about workbooks? Storytime on the radio for the little ones? Phonics lessons on PBS? I don't know how we're supposed to make this work for possibly even the entire year if virus case numbers don't decrease significantly. Trying to execute this plan for even one child, let alone, 2, 3 or more, while working, is not realistic. We got through last spring, but that was with the expectation that it was temporary. This isn't good for small children. Their doctors insist we cut the time with devices and the schools have ramped it up even more.

This whole situation is sickening.

Long time homeschooler here. I'm amazed that parents with children so young can believe that any of this is worth it. Buy some workbooks, art supplies, get books from the library about anything and everything, make a reading corner, use the internet for the amazing educational opportunities that abound, and your kid may end up ahead of those that are spending hours spinning their wheels with DL through the public school system. Let them write, draw, read, learn about science and history and the entire world and at those ages it is absolutely easy.

Disclaimer: I have the utmost sympathy and empathy for those that have young children and are working from home or leaving for work. But as far as academics go, your child CAN be much further ahead and have a wonderful creative learning experience very easily. I wish I could empower those of you that doubt that. I have homeschooled 2 through high school, and my other 2 are still at home. The older 2 have been extremely successful and they learned internal self motivation, self discipline, and an uncanny ability to think of themselves as their best teachers, knowing that with the availability of the internet, they can learn almost anything they so desire. These traits have served them very very well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Neither of us can afford to pause our careers (and we live in a 2br apartment - haha!), so we are trying to do the mininum with our preschooler and taking reading breaks with our toddler. We tell ourselves that we are lucky to have jobs and thus the childcare/work conflict problem.

It appears that society's priorities in all of this were: 1) bail out large corporations, 2) take halfhearted measures and then close schools to keep people healthy, 3) try to fix the economy by opening restaurants and bars so that more people can have jobs and afford to eat, 4) LAST ON THE LIST: the education and socialization of small children and the preservation of their parents' sanity.

Well in your situation this is actually top of list since daycares are open again. You’re not having to educate school aged children. You have childcare options.

Np, But are daycare centers going to facilitate the distance learning education? How will they do this with multiple different children from different schools?

Please read what you are responding to. The poster has a preschooler and toddler - hence the comment “you’re not having to educate school age children”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our kids are in kindergarten and third grade. The remote learning schedule outlined by their teachers is unbelievable. I don't understand how even the teachers can agree with doing this to small children. It's torture.

I know, it's hard, we all have to do this somehow but please, within reason. Why are iPads and Chromebooks the only option? I get it, they need to learn technology. But how about they use their iPads and Chromebooks for an hour rather than on and off all day long. How about workbooks? Storytime on the radio for the little ones? Phonics lessons on PBS? I don't know how we're supposed to make this work for possibly even the entire year if virus case numbers don't decrease significantly. Trying to execute this plan for even one child, let alone, 2, 3 or more, while working, is not realistic. We got through last spring, but that was with the expectation that it was temporary. This isn't good for small children. Their doctors insist we cut the time with devices and the schools have ramped it up even more.

This whole situation is sickening.

Long time homeschooler here. I'm amazed that parents with children so young can believe that any of this is worth it. Buy some workbooks, art supplies, get books from the library about anything and everything, make a reading corner, use the internet for the amazing educational opportunities that abound, and your kid may end up ahead of those that are spending hours spinning their wheels with DL through the public school system. Let them write, draw, read, learn about science and history and the entire world and at those ages it is absolutely easy.

Disclaimer: I have the utmost sympathy and empathy for those that have young children and are working from home or leaving for work. But as far as academics go, your child CAN be much further ahead and have a wonderful creative learning experience very easily. I wish I could empower those of you that doubt that. I have homeschooled 2 through high school, and my other 2 are still at home. The older 2 have been extremely successful and they learned internal self motivation, self discipline, and an uncanny ability to think of themselves as their best teachers, knowing that with the availability of the internet, they can learn almost anything they so desire. These traits have served them very very well.

NP. I taught both of my kids to read at 4 and taught them handwriting, manuscript and cursive. I send them to elementary school for the social learning. I have no interest in homeschooling a 2nd grader or a 5th grader. The 5th grader will do the DL, the 2nd grader will be unschooled until teachers go back into the building.

It is what it is. We are all doing what works for us. But homeschooling is not the right answer for all families. It's not for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents did nothing but complain that their teachers were never available in the spring -- that there wasn't any live instruction.

Now you get it and you STILL complain. Just withdraw your child if its such a hassle.

This. People complained when there was not enough live instruction in DL and are now complaining that there is too much. Workbooks and textbooks are not coming back, no funding and getting the same ones for everyone is a serious contract issue etc. for kids that little, sign into whatvwr live pieces woth the teacher work for you and skip the rest.
No one thinks this is easy or really doable with parent working and w supervising kids at the same time.

I didn’t hear anyone argue that they thought the DL day should literally follow the in person 8:30-3 schedule. This clearly responds to the motivation of the schools, not the parents.

+1
There are many ways for the teachers to stay employed without forcing us to adhere to the typical schedule. I'd rather my child have 1-2 hours per week one-on-one with his teacher than this unforgiving schedule. The schools can send out assignments on Monday and throughout the week we can work on them according to our schedules and then report back with everything by Friday. DH and I will have to deal with several graded assignments per week-- -that's what the teachers are demanding. The administrators, and many teachers, are very tone deaf. So, my kid, who would usually be a great student, may have lower grades because I have to choose between his assignments and my paycheck? My kid's school has quite a few teachers on the verge of retirement who are probably ok with this situation. Their kids are grown and out of the house and they've probably already put in their retirement paperwork.

I was with you right up to the teacher-bashing which is so fricking cheap and stupid.

Teachers answer to the principal; the principal to the school district. You’re a true trumper if you think teachers, especially older teachers, are making theses demands on parents just to make life easier for themselves.

Teachers are not your enemy.

Teachers can strike. Parents can't. We attempt any kind of "strike" and our kids will receives F and/or truant officers and family services will show up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Neither of us can afford to pause our careers (and we live in a 2br apartment - haha!), so we are trying to do the mininum with our preschooler and taking reading breaks with our toddler. We tell ourselves that we are lucky to have jobs and thus the childcare/work conflict problem.

It appears that society's priorities in all of this were: 1) bail out large corporations, 2) take halfhearted measures and then close schools to keep people healthy, 3) try to fix the economy by opening restaurants and bars so that more people can have jobs and afford to eat, 4) LAST ON THE LIST: the education and socialization of small children and the preservation of their parents' sanity.

Well in your situation this is actually top of list since daycares are open again. You’re not having to educate school aged children. You have childcare options.

Np, But are daycare centers going to facilitate the distance learning education? How will they do this with multiple different children from different schools?

New poster here

PPs kids are preschooler and toddler. "Education" can be handled at daycare.

I'm sick of all these whiny parents complaining that their toddlers are going to fall behind academically and saying that older kids can just suck it.

I'm the whiny PP. I didn't say that anyone should suck it. I do think it's harder for parents of elementary schoolers and below than for parents of high schoolers. Our daycare is still closed and PK4 will be virtual. It's actually really tough to get into daycare and preschool in DC, so it's not practical to jump ship if there's a chance that schools will reopen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with you. Honestly, I'd be fine with reducing the number of hours of this and just letting my child pick up whatever he missed later in life. I think it would be healthier.

Yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our kids are in kindergarten and third grade. The remote learning schedule outlined by their teachers is unbelievable. I don't understand how even the teachers can agree with doing this to small children. It's torture.

I know, it's hard, we all have to do this somehow but please, within reason. Why are iPads and Chromebooks the only option? I get it, they need to learn technology. But how about they use their iPads and Chromebooks for an hour rather than on and off all day long. How about workbooks? Storytime on the radio for the little ones? Phonics lessons on PBS? I don't know how we're supposed to make this work for possibly even the entire year if virus case numbers don't decrease significantly. Trying to execute this plan for even one child, let alone, 2, 3 or more, while working, is not realistic. We got through last spring, but that was with the expectation that it was temporary. This isn't good for small children. Their doctors insist we cut the time with devices and the schools have ramped it up even more.

This whole situation is sickening.

Long time homeschooler here. I'm amazed that parents with children so young can believe that any of this is worth it. Buy some workbooks, art supplies, get books from the library about anything and everything, make a reading corner, use the internet for the amazing educational opportunities that abound, and your kid may end up ahead of those that are spending hours spinning their wheels with DL through the public school system. Let them write, draw, read, learn about science and history and the entire world and at those ages it is absolutely easy.

Disclaimer: I have the utmost sympathy and empathy for those that have young children and are working from home or leaving for work. But as far as academics go, your child CAN be much further ahead and have a wonderful creative learning experience very easily. I wish I could empower those of you that doubt that. I have homeschooled 2 through high school, and my other 2 are still at home. The older 2 have been extremely successful and they learned internal self motivation, self discipline, and an uncanny ability to think of themselves as their best teachers, knowing that with the availability of the internet, they can learn almost anything they so desire. These traits have served them very very well.

NP. I taught both of my kids to read at 4 and taught them handwriting, manuscript and cursive. I send them to elementary school for the social learning. I have no interest in homeschooling a 2nd grader or a 5th grader. The 5th grader will do the DL, the 2nd grader will be unschooled until teachers go back into the building.

It is what it is. We are all doing what works for us. But homeschooling is not the right answer for all families. It's not for us.

It's a lifestyle for many families. Usually the mother opts to be the homeschooling parent. Many do it for religious reasons-- classical Christian ed model.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents did nothing but complain that their teachers were never available in the spring -- that there wasn't any live instruction.

Now you get it and you STILL complain. Just withdraw your child if its such a hassle.

This. People complained when there was not enough live instruction in DL and are now complaining that there is too much. Workbooks and textbooks are not coming back, no funding and getting the same ones for everyone is a serious contract issue etc. for kids that little, sign into whatvwr live pieces woth the teacher work for you and skip the rest.
No one thinks this is easy or really doable with parent working and w supervising kids at the same time.

I didn’t hear anyone argue that they thought the DL day should literally follow the in person 8:30-3 schedule. This clearly responds to the motivation of the schools, not the parents.

+1
There are many ways for the teachers to stay employed without forcing us to adhere to the typical schedule. I'd rather my child have 1-2 hours per week one-on-one with his teacher than this unforgiving schedule. The schools can send out assignments on Monday and throughout the week we can work on them according to our schedules and then report back with everything by Friday. DH and I will have to deal with several graded assignments per week-- -that's what the teachers are demanding. The administrators, and many teachers, are very tone deaf. So, my kid, who would usually be a great student, may have lower grades because I have to choose between his assignments and my paycheck? My kid's school has quite a few teachers on the verge of retirement who are probably ok with this situation. Their kids are grown and out of the house and they've probably already put in their retirement paperwork.

I was with you right up to the teacher-bashing which is so fricking cheap and stupid.

Teachers answer to the principal; the principal to the school district. You’re a true trumper if you think teachers, especially older teachers, are making theses demands on parents just to make life easier for themselves.

Teachers are not your enemy.

It's reality. I know teachers who are ok with this setup. And yes, they will be out the door in a few years. They have their pensions. Most parents are years away from pensions and if we have to homeschool for another year, they'll have to say goodbye to their full-time jobs. Employers will accommodate only so much. I have to negotiate with my employer. The teacher has to give a little, too, as do the administrators. Teachers don't want to see test scores fall. Parents don't want to see their incomes fall.

[Anonymous]

Most teachers don’t care diddly squat about test scores PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parents did nothing but complain that their teachers were never available in the spring -- that there wasn't any live instruction.

Now you get it and you STILL complain. Just withdraw your child if its such a hassle.

It really feels like we can't win.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most teachers don’t care diddly squat about test scores PP.

Many principals do.

[Anonymous]

I’m thrilled teachers will actually be doing their job and lots of zoom time. I’m a nanny and for 3 month I had to teach and it was super stressful. Can’t wait to sit in a chair for 6 hours and read a book while the kids zoom for hours on end. It will be great!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents did nothing but complain that their teachers were never available in the spring -- that there wasn't any live instruction.

Now you get it and you STILL complain. Just withdraw your child if its such a hassle.

It really feels like we can't win.

When our kids were born we were told to limit the screen time. Keep them away from TV and your iphone and iPad. And now we're told to make kindergarteners use iPads on and off all day long?

I just want to know the driving force behind the insistence on full day schedules for little kids with iPads. They're not little stock exchange traders with billions of dollars at stake?