We are in the midst of a very strange season and many families feel as if they are walking into the unknown. Can we expect schools stay open? How will e-learning at home work? Will we find ourselves in constant limbo? There are no easy answers, but if your family is participating in an e-learning program this year I would like help you create an e-learning schedule & learning space.
You can do this! Educating your kids at home will require a transition period, but anything is possible in bite size chunks. The first step to setting up a successful home learning experience is creating a schedule.
scheduling e-learning in two layers
Weekly Schedule
- Use an Excel worksheet, planner, or scheduling form to craft your weekly schedule. I like these free planning forms from Pam Barnhill.
- Include times you have commitments (virtual classes, music lessons, work, etc.)
- Now, with the remaining time, put in the times you’ll do school. Depending on your learning program, you may or may not have control over the times you’ll be learning.
- Keep in mind that your younger students will likely need to have assistance for e-learning activities. Children vary widely in their ability to organize their work and stay on task.
Daily Plan
- There are two types of schedules to consider for your daily plan.
- Traditional schedules organize activities by time slots. When scheduling subjects, I would recommend adding 25% to allow for transition time.
- Block schedules organize activities by blocks rather than times. They allow more flexibility and encourage rhythm & routine rather than a tight schedule. Blocks can be labeled by subjects or by type of learning (i.e. table work, group learning, morning time).
- Create a schedule in Excel, Google Calendar, or your favorite planner.
- Consider color coding your schedule to note blocks of time when you’ll be involved in your child’s learning.
e-learning schedule tips
- Consider block scheduling to allow for more flexibility and encourage routine. The joy of learning at home isn’t achieved by checking off boxes but rather in the relationships, conversations, and moments of discovery while learning together.
- Try scheduling your skill-based subjects first. What needs to happen every day and what will you do in 2-3 days per week?
- Consider how you will juggle more than one student during the day. I like to split our learning blocks in half so I can work with one child while the other does self-led activities and then we switch.
setting up your e-learning space
- Create a work space for your child that is away from distractions (toys, TV, siblings, etc.). One of the biggest challenges to educating at home is defining work vs. play. Our kids do best when “play” is out of sight.
- Your child’s work space should be tidy and organized. Make sure your child has a well-lit desk or table, access to technology, and needed supplies.
- You do not need a dedicated school room. Maybe the dining room table will be your learning space this year. You might want to pick up some baskets or bins for your child’s supplies. Some people also like to organize their work into rolling carts. My Pinterest board has some easy and fun ideas.
develop routines that encourage learning
- Reward your student for being diligent and doing their best. In our house, screen time must be earned by completing all chores, school work, and music practices with a good attitude and a diligent spirit in a timely manner. If your child is on screens a lot through the day, swap out screen time for a treat, family game night, or fun experience.
- Be realistic about your expectations. Learning doesn’t fit inside a box. It isn’t one size fits all. Some of the richest learning happens during unexpected moments of discovery through nature, play, or reading.
- Keep kids on task by creating fun games & contests or use a kitchen timer to keep them motivated. I keep a stash of M&M’s on hand to reward diligence subject by subject.
- Provide variety for your learners at all ages. Kids need to mix up their day with hands-on activities, nature walks, and cuddling up to read together. They also need outdoor time, group learning experiences, and activities outside of the house.
- Ease into the year. It takes time to adjust to a new routine so keep it light and consider successful learning a victory, even if it’s just for an hour at first. Give your family a couple of weeks to adjust to a new learning environment and schedule.
three truths to ponder
- Remember than learning is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. Consistency is everything. You will have good days and bad, but don’t let the difficult days define you. Set a start time for each day and stick with it rain or shine.
- You know your child best and will be a wonderful learning partner. This year you will play a very special role of encourager and facilitator. You will have a front row seat as your child makes discoveries and grows. Watching your child blossom is priceless!
- Community can make all the difference. There are many families going through this transition with you. Be intentional about staying connected to other parents and kids through virtual chats or support groups.
None of us can see the end of the road right now, but sometimes the greatest blessings come in the unexpected. Let’s walk this road together and discover the joy in the journey.
Feel free to reach out to me via email or comment below if you have questions. I also invite you to follow my Facebook page for daily encouragement and resources.
other blog posts you might be interested in
- How to Start Homeschooling: Homeschool Decision Map
- Our Family’s Favorite Hands-On Learning Resources
- Hands-On Learning with Science
- Homeschool Room Tour 2020