Kids are out of school through the end of April and parents are grappling with keeping the learning going. One thing is true: a schedule helps, especially for kids who think they're just on one, prolonged snow day. And resources. Aside from the packets and online resources schools are providing for kids, moms and dads have to step up to the plate to keep the learning happening for real.
Find the Sumner County School resources you need HERE.
To help get you started at home, here are nine tips for beginning homeschoolers:
1) You don't need to duplicate a class environment. There's nothing sacred about set amounts of time per subject or even using textbooks.
2) The strawman argument that homeschool kids don't know how to be socialized is exactly that: a strawman. Your kidsl learn best how to treat others and how to respect themselves by modeling your words and behaviors.
3) Remember, you are a facilitator to your child's learning. Life is learning. When your child has a question, respond to it wholely as a mini-lesson. There's no need to lecture.
4) Use technology but don't become dependent on it.
5) If something that you are trying to teach isn't working, move on.
6) There's no need to do every subject everyday.
7) Reading and math hold the keys to everything else your kids will learn. Do everything in your power to develop strong readers.
8) This is YOUR school. If you want to spend an entire day playing math games or going on a nature walk, do it.
9) The world is your classroom — use it! Read through the list of skills that kids should know and build them into your learning time. Here's 32 basic survivial skills for kids to help get you started.
LOCAL HOMESCHOOLING RESOURCES:
Visit tn.gov/education/school-options/home-schooling-in-tn.html for frequently asked questions and guidelines.
Middle Tennessee Home Education Association (MTHEA) • mthea.org
MTHEA provides support for homeschool families by nurturing, educating and motivating them.
Tennessee Department of Education
tn.gov/education/school-options/home-schooling-in-tn.html
Houses Tennessee’s home-schooling laws and requirements.
Tennessee Home Education Association | tnhea.org
Offers statewide resources, information and support.
ADDITIONAL ONLINE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES:
EDUCATIONAL
abcmouse.com
abcya.com
adaptedmind.com
adventureacademy.com
brainpop.com
brainscape.com
coolkidfacts.com
coolmath.com
coolmathforkids.com
courseera.com
disneyjr.com
education.com
highlightskids.com
howstuffworks.com
funbrain.com
grammaropolis.com
innerbody.com
kidsthinkdesign.com
kodable.com
kids.nationalgeographic.com
learninggamesforkids.com
learningstationmusic.com
mathblaster.com
mathplayground.com
midpointelibrary.org
nasa.gov/nasalive
ngakids.gov
nickjr.com
PBSkids.org
peepandthebigwideworld.com
petethecatbooks.com
prodigygame.com
readingeggs.com
scratch.MIT.edu
spellingcity.com
starfall.com
storylineonline.net
thekidzpage.com
TIMEforkids.com
turtlediary.com
xtramath.com
LIVE CAMS & VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS
airpano.com
earthcam.com
explore.org/livecams
hdontap.com
opentopia.com
origin.Americandairy.com
skylinewebcams.com
nationalzoo.si.edu
symbaloo.com
worldcams.tv
worldcam.eu
zoocamerasaroundtheworld.com
YOUTUBE FOR CORE LEARNING
5 Minute Crafts Play
Alphablocks
Arts for Kids Hub
Bailey Makes the Cake
Baby Einstein
Clarendon Learning
Cosmic Kids Yoga
Disney, Jr.
Dolly’s Stories KIDS
Erin’s Crafts for Kids
Family Cardio
Free School
Homeschool Pop
Liberty’s Kids
LittleBabyBum
Math & Learning Videos 4 Kids
Mathantics
McGraw-Hill PreK-12
NatGeo Kids
Numberrock
Nursery Rhymes
Pinkfong!
PBS Kids
Peekaboo Kids
Sesame Street
Science Max
SciShow Kids
Scratch Garden
Story Bots
The Dad Lab
