By Clonlara School
As communities around the world attempt to understand and adjust to COVID-19, many families are wondering how to continue their children’s learning at home.
Can parents and family members really teach their children, even if they are not experts in specific subject areas? The answer is YES! Whether in a classroom or at home, Clonlara School’s experience affirms that almost everything a child does involves learning in one way or another. Sometimes it is just a matter of learning alongside your child and guiding them toward the resources they need to fuel their curiosity.
It is also important to know that learning at home may look very different from learning at school. It is OK to give your student and yourself time to adjust to this new situation.
We recognize that the flood of ideas and pressure to homeschool may be overwhelming, especially with the prospect of extended closures, and we hope the following resources will provide some reassurance during these uncertain times.
- Fostering Organic Learning at Home (PDF)
From cooking and baking to projects around the house, any activity can be an opportunity to use math, critical thinking skills, and more. Use these tips and tricks to turn everyday life into organic learning at home (without spending a lot of time in front of a screen!).
- Tips for Online Learners (PDF)
Moving from a classroom to an online setting can be challenging, especially when the change is unexpected! These practical tips will help families adjust to the freedom and flexibility that come with online learning while making the most of the experience.
- Unit Studies to Spark Learning at Home
Our advisors show you how to turn an interest into an in-depth study across multiple subject areas, such as writing, art, and science. These unit studies can be adapted to multiple age and grade levels. Here are a few to get you started:- Birds (PDF)—Students imaginations will soar as they learn to listen and look for the variety of birdlife outside their windows.
- Water (PDF)—Engage the senses by diving into the study of water! This topic encourages students to explore the water cycle, water conservation, and the properties of water.
- Learning Resources from The Learning Edge
Clonlara’s blog offers a rich collection of resources for homeschool and distance learning curated by our knowledgeable staff, including tools for getting organized, advice managing screen time, and much more.
Fortunately, Clonlara’s long history of supporting homeschool families through our Off-Campus and Online Programs means that we have the infrastructure to provide our service at a distance. Our staff members are parents, as well as practitioners, with deep knowledge and expertise that we want to share with you.
We are experiencing the reality of this virus with you and will continue to update this page with tip sheets, recommendations, guidance, services, and other resources that may help you in learning and growing with your children at home!
If you have resources or recommendations to support home learning during the COVID-19 crisis, please share them in the comments below.
