So with everyone going back to school in Oz this week thought it timely to write our first blog on how we are managing ‘home schooling’. We are in week 4 of our term as we started once we arrived in Silver Star at the beginning of January, to try and work into a routine from the start. We have tried many different things, all work amazingly on some days and terribly on others. Here's a little insight into the Francis School and some of the things we have tried:
The jar of sticks
This one comes originally from Kate Stuart (of St Albans fame) and is brilliant for the ‘muuuuuuummmm I’m booooored, what can I dooooo moments’. Simply pick a stick, there are 30 paddle pop sticks each with a different activity - from read a book, 20min minecraft, draw a picture, code on the computer, write a letter to a friend... plenty of options. The deal is, whatever you draw, you do. Now for Archie this is an issue when he draws something (most things) he doesn’t want to do at that particular time... immediate whine. But it does provide huge variety of things that they can do in the mini apartment.
Screen time
Amazon fire education locks - we gave the boys tablets for Christmas, Dexter almost wet himself, I think he cried tears of joy, once he knew this was his - only his. A few days after Christmas we introduced the locks... they need to complete x min of reading, x min of educational apps, x min of audiobooks before they get all the games they want unlocked... (minecraft, roblox and youtube are the favourites). Now that all sounds good but they have worked out how the get around these by playing the audiobooks without listening, skimming books and watching the timer click down..... luckily they do do them well and together most days.
Reading
Reading together, we used to try and do this daily in Sydney (mostly failed as everyone was too tired before bed and mornings were too crazy) we have now got a good routine to read in bed before breakfast.
Doing what they love
For Dexter that always has been Art and it's no different here, so finding a balance between the reading and writing and sketching has been important. Tim used to do science experiments with them at home but we haven't done much of this yet, but plan too. Also involving them in researching for our next stage of the adventure - Central and South America, for them it is mainly about the animals rather than where we will actually be.
Star Charts
Star charts equal pocket money - the traditional star chart wins by far, introduced after the first week. The boys are motivated to get 2-3 stars in the morning and try to beat the previous week's target to get more money. Stars are grouped by reading, Maths, Spelling/ vocabulary, Art and craft, Handwriting/ diary. We try and do a couple of topics before we go out skiing in the morning, it’s impossible to do two (boys) at once so Tim and I usually split up. We have some books and also use things like reading eggs and Mathletics on the computer / iPad to help guide what they are doing, and youtube has a video for anything.... If it feels too much like a battle then we stop, with Archie we often have the Mexican stand off but eventually he'll finish his page or online lesson in order to get out on the mountain.
What we have learnt
This experience is just as much about Tim and I learning as the boys, few things we have learnt (so far):
- We don't have all the answers- firstly we are already tested on the english language and don't always know the right answer and the maths strategies are certainly different
- Teachers have the patience of a Saint - how they do their job is beyond me. I'm hoping this helps me to be clearer in my explanation of things and also listening to others (for my work colleagues reading this I'm sure you will smile)
- Make learning as practical as possible - handwriting practice is easier when writing to a friend and maths is more fun at a restaurant or when trying to estimate how high or how far they jumped
- Gamification works, so does adding a timer to a task - then they know how long, when it changes to the next topic and also that 5 min or 10 min isn't actually very long
- Focus and be present - multitasking by cooking dinner or being on the computer whilst they are working on something doesn't work ever
- Keep their imagination alive - worksheets and books can be dull, too much screentime and they end up fighting. Luckily neither of them are shy in asking questions to us or anyone they meet on the ski lifts - always so curious
What's next
Keep going so we have a routine, provide variation (so we all don't get bored) try and do more Spanish (all of us!). Celebrate successful days and weeks. Keep it fun, play games, forget about the reading sometimes. Keep taking advice from friends and family with experience - thanks to my lovely sister in law (Joanne) this week for tips on spelling and general learning.
Finally rejoice for joy when Noona and Pape arrive (just over 3 weeks and counting) and take over some of the activities!
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