Saturday, April 4, 2020
Sarah Hadaller, administrative secretary for the district, has been balancing her work duties with teaching her two daughters, Scarlett (3rd grade) and Piper (Kindergarten). Just like all the other families in Woodland, adapting to the “New Normal” takes time and effort.
Free online resources like iReady and EPIC can be valuable tools of instruction
Sarah uses a variety of online and offline resources to keep her girls learning. Both Scarlett and Piper use the iReady and EPIC online software (free for all families) to work on English Language Arts and mathematics. In addition to online work, Sarah’s girls pick books to read and make projects like creating math posters so not all their learning is done in front of a screen.
Physical offline projects like art and math posters provide ways to learn while also unplugging
In order to be an effective parent-teacher, Sarah recommends avoiding spending too much time on Facebook. “I feel like I see all these positive experiences and posts on Facebook which make me feel like I’m not doing as good a job as a parent as I should,” she explained. “I'm working hard to pay more attention on how to do the best job we can do together - my girls and me - and how to navigate through this learning-at-home time.”
Breaking up the day can also be key to managing the stress levels that come from both working and teaching from home. “The highlight of our day – mine included – is going out to the bus for meal delivery,” said Sarah. “The kids run into the house to see what is in the food bag each day, and, then naturally, the negotiations begin for deals between the two for different food - ‘do you want my pudding?’ ‘sure, but you can’t have my bagel for it…’.”
Making deals during food negotiations are a favorite time for Sarah's girls
For young children, home-schooling may be confusing. “The girls are stressed about not being allowed to go to school and they don’t really understand what’s going on,” said Sarah. “They miss their friends and teachers so much – I am hopeful that there may be online classes where the kids will be able to see each other soon.”
Keep up the great work, Sarah, Scarlett, and Piper!
Do you have a home learning story you’d like to share?
Please send it with pictures and/or video to Eric Jacobson, our Communications Manager, at jacobsoe@woodlandschools.org