It has been such a strange time since the COVID-19 started affecting us here in Minnesota. During the last week we were in our regular routine (the week of March 9-13), my school was starting to make some changes (lunch before recess, mandatory hand-washing several times a day, not being able to do our regular greetings, etc.). By that Friday, we were unsure what the next week would look like. On Sunday, the governor announced that schools would be closed starting Wednesday, until March 27th. The girls' school decided to close immediately, whereas my school offered Monday and Tuesday as optional days for kids who didn't have childcare. The girls were excited for this extra time off of school. For me, it was so strange. I had 6 students on Monday, and we actually had a really fun day at school that day. The kids were so excited to have such a small group. By that evening, the governor and president had spoken, and it was decided that starting Wednesday, teachers were going to be working from home to prepare for distance learning. Tuesday, I only had 3 students, and the feeling was much different. We were packing up iPads, chargers, and folders of optional work for the next week and a half. We found ways to keep the kids busy, so our team could meet and figure out what we needed to send home and bring home ourselves. Putting those 3 kids on the bus made me so sad. I wasn't sure (and am still not) that we would get to be back in school together this year, and we hadn't had a proper goodbye on the previous Friday when we were all together. I cried on the way home from school as it hit me even harder.
Wednesday began a new journey--training to learn how to teach online. Our school made it very user-friendly, but Wed.-Fri. was definitely overwhelming as my team tried to learn how to use new technology tools and figure out our new normal. It was nice to have the weekend before spending the next week planning and preparing lessons. The girls were very excited to set up their work spaces for distance learning that weekend.
The next week, I ended up going to the chiropractor after sitting in the same position in front of a computer was hard on my hips and lower back. On top of that, trying to work and keep the girls busy was a balancing act. We ended up having more of a set schedule during that full week, and the girls had some workbooks and online resources I had them work on. We did try to get out and go for walks at lunch and after I was done working.
I was so thankful this week that I was on spring break, since it was the girls' first week of distance learning, and I could focus on helping them have a good start. Abby is pretty independent with her work, and Norah does okay, but needs a little help here and there. It's been working well for me to take her teacher's slides and make it into one big list that she can cross off as she goes. Both have been working hard, but are looking forward to their own spring break next week. I'm glad that I won't be having to help manage their work next week when I start up again with my own class.
Looking back on those first two weeks that we were home, I feel bad that I wasn't able to appreciate our time at home more. I was having a hard time sleeping and lots of emotion about my class. I know we are fortunate to be able to stay safe at home; I think it's just been a situation that has so much unknown and is scary to think about. This week, while on spring break, I've tried to appreciate the time more. I've gotten a few organizing projects done, enjoyed the beautiful weather and gone for lots of walks/bike rides, and we have completed several puzzles as a family. We've got at least a month to go, and probably more, so it will be important to focus on gratitude and try to find a better balance between working and family time when we are at home. One day at a time!
Here are some photos of our time at home these first few weeks:
 |
| Senior discount at the local grocery store--twice now! I think the woman working there is just trying to show some kindness in this crazy time. |
 |
| Making mail for the great grandmas |
 |
| Crafting |
 |
| Sad that this is a craft that she wanted to create, but also creative |
 |
| Online games with family! We also had a friend game night. |
 |
| Norah's been running a lot and needed to start wearing deodorant! |
 |
| Breakfast for lunch! |
 |
| Dressing Sadie up for a walk in the rain |
 |
| The girls have gotten great at making their beds! |
 |
| We loved the warm weather on Monday! |
 |
| Lots of games have been played! This was Norah's ambitious list for Sunday, but we only made it through five. |
 |
| Lots of puzzling! Abby likes to help make the border. |
 |
| Abby got an early birthday present--I got a new phone, and Abby got my old one. I wasn't sure if I was ready for that phase of life yet, but it really has been a nice way for her to connect with her friends and our family members during this time. |
 |
| Drawing at her new workspace |
 |
| Enjoying the sun on the deck |
 |
| Sidewalk chalk with painter's tape |
 |
| Online Sunday School |
 |
| Sadie fell asleep during online church |
 |
| Math problems at the dinner table |
 |
| Messaging her teacher on SeeSaw |
 |
| Norah's hair boutique |
 |
| Afternoon naps |
 |
| Art homework |
 |
| April Fool's joke--"The toilet is smoking!" |
 |
Laundry party
|
