Learning the Ropes in the Online Learning World

Things that aren’t fair:

A lot.

But for me, right now, hummus serving sizes.

When I look at my container of hummus, I see two servings.  Some days, if I have more restraint, maybe three.  Some days the container equals one serving.  But never do I get 10 servings out of a little old hummus container, like the side of the container suggests.

I thought about this as I gorged a carrot through a half serving.  Gone are the days of intermittent fasting.  Online schooling has been stressful enough that I didn’t need to add “hunger” to my list of frustrations.

In years past, Summer is my least favorite season.  Usually, I am constantly trying to find activities to keep my kids engaged so they are not wrestling each other.  I always celebrated walking away from the bus stop on the first day of school knowing my summer job had been completed.

This summer, having not seen their friends for some time, the kids got to appreciate time with their friends again, which had been sorely missed.  This summer wasn’t so bad after all.

But I do miss waving goodbye to the bus driver since we went to online school.

We started off on the right foot.  Although I did add the extension to the dining room table to create more learning space, the kids have taken their online classes in separate places to be able to hear and focus on their teachers.

The dining room table is for homework review where the kids come to see me at MY special place.  My now big dining room table.  I can see online what their assignments are and if they have been completed.  I follow this, why?

Because I have already heard my child complain, “But it’s not due until Sunday!” or “That will only take like 5 minutes!” While they spent their break time napping.  Napping is the new elective for the asynchronous high school online learning plan. 

We all expected some hiccups, and they’ve happened.  Links haven’t worked, assignments won’t load. Getting in to zooms.  Wi-Fi problems, on both ends.  Two teachers lost their connection much to the amusement of the class.  A zoom missed from missed scheduling.  Harassment to complete homework BEFORE the last minute rolls around and the assignment is late. I’ve also taken the time to figure out the best way to support Declan in this new world.

I did set up his own special place to learn.  He has the chair band, the fidget toys.  The bouncy ball to lay on or bounce on while listening to a story.  I even kept his trampoline in the room so he can jump a bit if he needs to.

In the spring, I was very hands on with Declan’s learning. This school year, I wanted him to be more independent with his learning and go with the flow of his class and teacher. 

If I am not with him, his head is on his desk.  Sitting alone, he is not listening and has no idea what the instructions are or even what the topic of discussion is.  The class I sat with him and directed his attention to the screen and activity earned a “thank you for participating!” from the teacher. There have been tears, but honestly, if I hear one more teacher give the SAME zoom etiquette rules, I am likely to start crying too.

With Declan’s five zooms a day, while monitoring my irresponsible learners, my days have been shot.

Next week, Declan’s 1/1 aid will be joining him online in the classroom.  She will also meet with him once a day to help him with his asynchronous work.  He will begin all his supportive services.  I realize this is another zoom, but ones I am hopeful he will enjoy as it is a 1/1 time with a familiar face.  I am so hopeful for all these sessions.

The school year is still a work in progress.  We’ve had some hiccups, but we expected those.  I expected some tears, which we’ve also had.  We are on day four, still trying to find a smooth groove and routine, and I think it will happen.  We are just going to have to give this a bit more time to iron out the kinks.  And hope that my waist size doesn’t expand TOO much during this process!