Day 1 is surreal. Are we living in a dystopian novel? Mostly I feel calm and peaceful. I am an introvert. A special kind of an introvert -INFJ- (If you have never found out about your personality. I challenge you to do so. There are all kinds of Myers-Briggs tests out there for free). Anyway, I don't mind people. I love to help them. I am happiest alone though, so this is not a hardship right now. My kids have all wanted to homeschool. Now they are going to home school, even if it doesn't turn out like expected.
My family met and had a family council on Sunday to discuss what this self-quarantine would look like. We (I??) decided a schedule would be necessary. It would be fluid, and every Sunday we will adjust accordingly. My kids were not happy. They like to not be held to a schedule (or so they say) but I think most kids thrive under certainty and planning.
We decided on a 10:30 bedtime. One of my kids runs with a friend at 5 am. I suggested they could move it to a little later, but they like 5. Me? I am sleeping in. Everyone has to be up by 9. So this first day? Everyone was up before 7 lol. I have 4 kids living at home. The oldest 2 decided that pancakes were in order so they made pancakes. Next on our schedule was reading time. It can be anything. So my kids spent an hour or so reading. I had to attend a virtual meeting with my fellow teachers where we carefully considered the future and what it would look like for our students. Some students will be babysitting siblings and be caregivers. Others won't have the necessary technology to be fully online. What are we going to do to support those students who need extra help? All of these things weigh on our minds. But you know what? We are teachers. We are flexible. We work with what we have. The best part of the virtual meeting my tiny Xena could sit in my lap the entire time.My kids were supposed to do online math things - Imagine Math, Prodigy, Khan Academy. I have no idea if they did or not because I was still meeting. That's ok for the first day.
We had lunch. Then everyone could have the afternoon free. My youngest jumped on the trampoline with a friend. for 3 hours. Each child has 1 friend they can associate with right now. Kamryn's friend lives with us, so that was easy. Kali, my 7th grader, rode bikes, jumped on the trampoline and I think went to play on the Xbox with her friend. Her friend homeschools and stays out of society for the most part anyway. So it works out ok to keeping our social circle very small.
We moved over Christmas and my office/craft room was supposed to be the last thing we set up, but last week I decided I might need to make it a priority, so I bought cabinets, painted them and had my husband build me a monster desk. I am spending the next few days setting up my office so that I can teach remotely for however long is necessary. So I began installing my desk and figuring out what I would need. I listened to an audiobook from the library while setting up my room. I will post pictures later this week of my workspace. I am hoping you are trying to decide where you will work. You need a dedicated space for you to get your schoolwork done.
After working on my room, I painted some built-in bookshelves that my husband created for my library and then made hamburgers and onion rings for dinner. It was a quiet night. I had a hard time going to sleep. Too many things on my mind, like how to reach my students and keep up with them. I miss them. I miss my classroom. But we are living in a hugely historical moment. I want to document it. Here's a pic of that monster desk.
I have family and friends all over the world. My parents are in Guatemala serving as missionaries. The last flight to the U.S. went out last night. They weren't on it. They stayed to continue doing what they are doing. We don't know when they will be allowed back out. My sister in Utah was supposed to fly to Guatemala next week. She is trying to adopt 4 boys, who were left orphans when their mother died of cancer last month. She will not be allowed to go at this time. I have friends in Bejing who have filmed what life is like there. I have friends who teach in Korea. They have been in quarantine awhile. I have a brother in Mexico with his wife who is a Mexican citizen. They were supposed to be coming to the US soon, but they may not be allowed to. These are uncertain times, but what an adventure! We will have stories to tell our children and grandchildren. I know that there is a plan for each of us.
One of my passions has been to study World War II. Not necessarily the injustice, but the human spirit that rises up from the ash. The immense capacity for love, strength, and triumph over tribulation. We are living in a moment that can allow us to rise from the ashes as well. What kind of compassion will you show today? I am wondering if far in the future someone will study the heroes of the Coronavirus pandemic? What heroic thing can you do from home, or within your circle?
I have 2 challenges for the first day.
First: Do you have a library card? If so you download the Libby App. It's free and you can put your library card number in and have access to both online books and audiobooks. The library is still open as far as I know. So maybe now is the time to get a library card. Here's the list of what's in my virtual library this week:
The Reckoning, Daring Greatly, The Running Dream, Blood and Bone and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby/
Second: Start recording your history. Be it a journal, a blog, a vlog. Record these days to look back on and share with future generations.
Feel free to share with me. I miss you, my students. Can't wait to "see" you.
Mrs. A
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