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Homeschooling with Virtual Public Schools
Homeschooling with virtual public schools is challenging. Theses words rang out over Facebook. Some moms are learning how tough it is to homeschool. Consequently, parents are experiencing some of the behaviors, activity challenges, internet problems and other frustrations of teachers.
Homeschooling Virtual Public Hybrid Programs
In Michigan, many school districts started the 20/21 school year with a hybrid program. The program consists of an online or in school option. The fears associated with Covid-19 led to starting school online. Therefore, many parents chose homeschooling with virtual public schools. Virtual public homeschooling allows students to learn online for free. However, moms now face behavior problems usually seen in public schools.
Some parents had no idea what behavior problems the teacher witnessed. These non-suspecting parents are lost. Often times the behavior is never witnessed at home. Students usually sit a short amount of time for homework. That amount of time does not equal the hours of sitting in school.
Behavior Problems during Virtual homeschooling
Usually behavior problems range from pouting to work refusal. Pouting may be associated with sitting too long. Thus, the use of short breaks may help. In addition, work refusal stems from feeling overwhelmed.
If the student is overwhelmed, try breaking the assignments into smaller tasks. In a school setting, smaller tasks are called chunks. Chunking is an education intervention. Correct use of this intervention should increase student success. Hand over hand instruction may help until the student experiences success.
Learning chunks can be used with elementary, middle and high school students. However, the chunks may need other interventions to make them work properly. I would try chunking the lessons. Then take a five to seven-minute break. During the break make sure to have the students drink a little water. Water helps to hydrate the brain and helps it function better.
Also, exercise is a fun way to relax your student. Psychologist’s found that crossing the mid-line of the body increase memory. Henceforth, use the short break to stretch. Make sure the stretches cross the body mid-line. Simon says is a great way to increase activity and relieve some stress.
Free Learning Resources for Virtual Public Homeschooling
Another challenge to homeschooling with virtual public schools is learning activities. Consequently, students are stuck online for hours. A few changes in digital access could help. First, remember that learning must be interactive. Second, a simple learning resource for today’s students are learning games. Therefore, the more digital resources you can use the better.
Freckle Math and Kahoot are a couple of good digital resources. Freckle offers math, ELA, science and social studies. The free version of Freckle is great for simple practice. On the other hand, Freckle has a premium version. The premium version ranges from K to 9th grade. It also allows Common Core standard settings. The Common Core alignment is available in all four core subject areas.
Kahoot is more of a teaching resource. It allows the teacher to practice for tests by playing a game. Evidently, many teachers use Kahoot to provide interactive practice. Besides being a digit resource, it is versatile. As a homeschool provider, you can use it to test your student’s knowledge in any subject. Nevertheless, these digital activities require internet access.
Internet Issues for Virtual Homeschooling
The internet is the number one complaint from both parents and teachers. Homeschooling with virtual public schools has been problematic this year. The internet blues are everywhere. I have spoken with parents of elementary to high school students. They are all frustrated with the internet. However, AT & T and Comcast are working to rectify the problems.
Even though the internet situation is a problem, cell phones may provide some help. A middle school teacher signed up students on various digital resources. Evidently, the internet problem does not impact cell phones. Therefore, the teacher resorted to using cell phones when the internet froze.
Conclusion
We began the article with homeschooling virtual public hybrid programs. We stated why some families may benefit from virtual public programs. Next, we discuss some of the behavior problems that may occur during virtual homeschooling. We explained that use of chunking task to help relieve anxiety. We also discussed the use of water to re-hydrate the brain.
The hydration increases learning and recall of learned information. After that, we showed a couple free learning resources. We also explained some of the specifications of the programs. Finally, we discuss gave consideration to internet issues. It seems that numerous families at the lack of power of the internet. Nonetheless, we see things are getting better each day with the internet.
Many parents have faced the same challenges in developing the best homeschooling program possible for their student. There is nothing like the experience of another parent to help guide you through the ups and downs. Here are a couple of books that may help you along the way. First the “Heart Of Homeschooling” which contains the memoirs of a homeschooling mom. The other book you can try is “Multiplication Games-180 Days of Math, Art, and Logic.”