how are you prepping your house/family for the next year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mom of older kids here. For younger kids, I would worry less sbout the curriculum and the zoon. Do what you can. But din’t kill their love of learning. Focus on getting them good books to read and if they are reluctant readers, set up an incentive system. Buy some fun math games—sum swamp, clumsy their, sleeping queens, etc.—and find some good online math games (prodigy, splashmath, etc.). The goal is just to not have them fall being on the 3 R’s and not to start hating school.

I'm an elementary school teacher and I 100% agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This method worked out great for my 3rd grader last spring:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/kanban-kids-how-i-used-agile-become-homeschool-parent-meghan-mcinerny

I printed her weekly assignments for her, and each day, she organized the post-its to show what she needed to do (in addition to schoolwork, it included things of her choosing, like "play!" and "lunch break"). She approached them in the order of her choosing - outside of scheduled zoom calls - and moved the post-its around to reflect progress. This allows the kid to see what needs to get done and have some choice on when to do it.

I recommend!

This is really helpful. Thank you!!

I like how visual that is. We just used checklist each day that included school work, reading time and chores. Simple, but worked.

[Anonymous]

I just ordered a patio heater so that we can have outdoor/socially distant study buddies come over through the fall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just ordered a patio heater so that we can have outdoor/socially distant study buddies come over through the fall.

Great idea. And good to order now before the hordes of people buy out supplies!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're going to put a new desk and chair in one of our rec rooms, along with a bookcase and a cabinet for school supplies, so our tutor will have everything she needs to teach our rising 1st grader. It's so important they have a dedicated space for school work to help with concentration.

Wow hardcore supermom. Give me a break for a kindergartner . Can’t imagine what you will do when your kids in high school

NP. Why the snark? She answered the question.

[Anonymous]

Can anyone share the headsets with mics they are buying for their kids?

[Anonymous]

Our schools have sent out schedules (sample schedules, not the specific classes my kids will be in). That was really helpful to visualize the day and think through what would be needed.

I considered turning various spaces into school space, but realized I needed to be able to be present and so decided against rooms I can't easily be in all day long. I also decided to keep my 6th and 4th grader together.

We have an open kitchen/eating area and I'm going to put an extra table in a nook there and use the kitchen table for two desk areas. I'm buying them each one of these: https://www.containerstore.com/s/teal-3-tier-rolling-cart/d?productId=11012628&q=storage%20cart plus accessories to serve as their school supply hubs so they aren't all over the place, including in my own work space (I work). I am also buying two white board organizers that have a weekly calendar and to do list to help us all be on the same page. I found those at Etsy.

That's it for now. Our school supplies laptops for the kids. And I am considering buying a bigger monitor or maybe one for each of them....thought I'd see how the first week was going and then decide. Oh, and probably a wireless printer as well, because we have one that is wired but it's in the home office where DH works and it's not compatible with the kids' school issued laptops.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just ordered a patio heater so that we can have outdoor/socially distant study buddies come over through the fall.

Great idea. And good to order now before the hordes of people buy out supplies!

That is a good idea. We have a screened in porch and a patio. I was thinking about getting some sort of heater for the porch. Do you all think there is enough air movement in a screened porch to be "safe" for socializing, compared to fully outside? We have had a couple of people over for backyard playdates and such, and have on occasion moved to the porch to escape the sun. I notice that the air definitely moves less once we are in there, but thinking it must still be safer than inside?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just ordered a patio heater so that we can have outdoor/socially distant study buddies come over through the fall.

Great idea. And good to order now before the hordes of people buy out supplies!

That is a good idea. We have a screened in porch and a patio. I was thinking about getting some sort of heater for the porch. Do you all think there is enough air movement in a screened porch to be "safe" for socializing, compared to fully outside? We have had a couple of people over for backyard playdates and such, and have on occasion moved to the porch to escape the sun. I notice that the air definitely moves less once we are in there, but thinking it must still be safer than inside?

No, I’d rather move to whichever side of the house is still shaded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just ordered a patio heater so that we can have outdoor/socially distant study buddies come over through the fall.

Great idea. And good to order now before the hordes of people buy out supplies!

That is a good idea. We have a screened in porch and a patio. I was thinking about getting some sort of heater for the porch. Do you all think there is enough air movement in a screened porch to be "safe" for socializing, compared to fully outside? We have had a couple of people over for backyard playdates and such, and have on occasion moved to the porch to escape the sun. I notice that the air definitely moves less once we are in there, but thinking it must still be safer than inside?

No, I’d rather move to whichever side of the house is still shaded.

Agree, probably safer than inside but less safe than fully outdoors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our schools have sent out schedules (sample schedules, not the specific classes my kids will be in). That was really helpful to visualize the day and think through what would be needed.

I considered turning various spaces into school space, but realized I needed to be able to be present and so decided against rooms I can't easily be in all day long. I also decided to keep my 6th and 4th grader together.

We have an open kitchen/eating area and I'm going to put an extra table in a nook there and use the kitchen table for two desk areas. I'm buying them each one of these: https://www.containerstore.com/s/teal-3-tier-rolling-cart/d?productId=11012628&q=storage%20cart plus accessories to serve as their school supply hubs so they aren't all over the place, including in my own work space (I work). I am also buying two white board organizers that have a weekly calendar and to do list to help us all be on the same page. I found those at Etsy.

That's it for now. Our school supplies laptops for the kids. And I am considering buying a bigger monitor or maybe one for each of them....thought I'd see how the first week was going and then decide. Oh, and probably a wireless printer as well, because we have one that is wired but it's in the home office where DH works and it's not compatible with the kids' school issued laptops.

Cute carts! I'm in the market for a whiteboard calendar system. If you end up liking yours, can you share the seller?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our schools have sent out schedules (sample schedules, not the specific classes my kids will be in). That was really helpful to visualize the day and think through what would be needed.

I considered turning various spaces into school space, but realized I needed to be able to be present and so decided against rooms I can't easily be in all day long. I also decided to keep my 6th and 4th grader together.

We have an open kitchen/eating area and I'm going to put an extra table in a nook there and use the kitchen table for two desk areas. I'm buying them each one of these: https://www.containerstore.com/s/teal-3-tier-rolling-cart/d?productId=11012628&q=storage%20cart plus accessories to serve as their school supply hubs so they aren't all over the place, including in my own work space (I work). I am also buying two white board organizers that have a weekly calendar and to do list to help us all be on the same page. I found those at Etsy.

That's it for now. Our school supplies laptops for the kids. And I am considering buying a bigger monitor or maybe one for each of them....thought I'd see how the first week was going and then decide. Oh, and probably a wireless printer as well, because we have one that is wired but it's in the home office where DH works and it's not compatible with the kids' school issued laptops.

Cute carts! I'm in the market for a whiteboard calendar system. If you end up liking yours, can you share the seller?

This was the one that I bought -- I felt like the weekly view would be the best for my family and I can personalize the bottom part to say things like "homework" or "chores".

https://www.etsy.com/listing/774296924/framed-dry-erase-homeschool-planner?ref=shop_home_active_36&frs=1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dumb technology question. In the spring I would always be able to remind them "5 minutes until your zoom starts", for example. But I won't be able to do that in the fall. Since they may need several similar reminders during the day, just setting a regular timer won't help . What can I use to schedule alarms that specify "Larla's math zoom" or "Larlo's reading group" etc.

I want this too, and not in a phone. Kids are 3rd and 1st and I need them a hair more independent, but can’t trust them to watch the clock.

This is so simple. Put the 3rd grader in charge of the 1st graders schedule and vice versa. Unlike last year, classes will be consistent times and days. With a simple alarm, this should be no issue

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our schools have sent out schedules (sample schedules, not the specific classes my kids will be in). That was really helpful to visualize the day and think through what would be needed.

I considered turning various spaces into school space, but realized I needed to be able to be present and so decided against rooms I can't easily be in all day long. I also decided to keep my 6th and 4th grader together.

We have an open kitchen/eating area and I'm going to put an extra table in a nook there and use the kitchen table for two desk areas. I'm buying them each one of these: https://www.containerstore.com/s/teal-3-tier-rolling-cart/d?productId=11012628&q=storage%20cart plus accessories to serve as their school supply hubs so they aren't all over the place, including in my own work space (I work). I am also buying two white board organizers that have a weekly calendar and to do list to help us all be on the same page. I found those at Etsy.

That's it for now. Our school supplies laptops for the kids. And I am considering buying a bigger monitor or maybe one for each of them....thought I'd see how the first week was going and then decide. Oh, and probably a wireless printer as well, because we have one that is wired but it's in the home office where DH works and it's not compatible with the kids' school issued laptops.

Cute carts! I'm in the market for a whiteboard calendar system. If you end up liking yours, can you share the seller?

This was the one that I bought -- I felt like the weekly view would be the best for my family and I can personalize the bottom part to say things like "homework" or "chores".

https://www.etsy.com/listing/774296924/framed-dry-erase-homeschool-planner?ref=shop_home_active_36&frs=1

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dumb technology question. In the spring I would always be able to remind them "5 minutes until your zoom starts", for example. But I won't be able to do that in the fall. Since they may need several similar reminders during the day, just setting a regular timer won't help . What can I use to schedule alarms that specify "Larla's math zoom" or "Larlo's reading group" etc.

I want this too, and not in a phone. Kids are 3rd and 1st and I need them a hair more independent, but can’t trust them to watch the clock.

This is so simple. Put the 3rd grader in charge of the 1st graders schedule and vice versa. Unlike last year, classes will be consistent times and days. With a simple alarm, this should be no issue

No way! Either neither would go to class (conspiring) or one would miss (because the reminder would be in class). Also, not a sibling’s job!