Is homeschooling compulsory?

[PumpkinP]

So I was under the impression work sent home wasn’t compulsory, my ds try’s to do his work but for some reason the app doesn’t seem to work very well on my phone and seems you may need a laptop or iPad to complete the work properly. I have noticed several times because the app is on my phone notifications pop up the teachers have said that they will be calling parents whose children aren’t completing the work. Has anyone else had this?

U are ment to try & do it as if u dont your child will be well behind when school goes back
i have 3 primary age and a baby we are doing all the work we can.
Our school have been amazing also we got told to contact the school with any problems or if u dont have internet so if i were u id email the school or phone.
Our teachers have put alot of hard work into doing this

Our head and the teacher sends emails to encourage sticking with the learning. Different expectations I assume

I think the work set by school is great for parents who would struggle otherwise. However I think for my primary school children this is a great opportunity to do things a bit differently.

I think there is a certain amount of security gained from routine but I think given the current huge disruption that security isn't achieved through replicating an academic curriculum at home, eg, for an 8 year old I imagine missing their teacher and friends is a much more of a biggie than the school work... Following the school curriculum does nothing for that emotional need.

I think it's ok to set a new routine. For most of us it would be crazy not to.... Eg we are usually it of the house by 7.30am, mornings are a rush! So now DC have a half hour play while I get a coffee and then a leisurely breakfast together. It's a new predictable routine - but not at all our normal.

We have done some homework based on what they have chosen. But mostly they have played board games and spent hours on the garden. Things we never get time for. My children are playing more and more independently, I've had to work, there are less "bored" grumbles or squabbling than there have been for a long time.

A lot of the school work set is via various apps. Fine if parents need to park their kids somewhere to get work done, needs must. But hours in front of a screen is hardly desirable.

I am hoping that there will be a gain in terms of recharging DCs batteries, time for imagination and creativity - and maybe some nice memories from this time at home.

We read lots, I imagine everything else can be caught up once back at school.

We have posted print outs of work put online to children who are unable to access it. Have you called the school and asked if they can help?

And that is great for the schools can teach online.
I'm not setting him up for failure. I know I can say go on, he would. The work is for revision and nothing new will be added until further notice.
We could then sit for hours trying to work out wtaf that equation is. This will stress us both. He will then get obsessed and if it all goes to shit, he will lose interest in the work.

Or he is aware of the revision work he would be doing if he was in school. He knows his subjects and what is or isn't required. He pays attention when he is in school and uses his diary etc.

If he falls behind he knows he will have to play catch up. But there simply isn't anything to fall behind on. Then realistically speaking, he could do a couple of hours tomorrow and the whole weeks work is finished.

He cannot prepare for September, that's what the fun really begins with gcse's. Even getting a head start on the reading for English is a waste. We read lots of books here, always have done and so he's already been there.

Yes I am aware they are taught at different times. Chances are this year will be a re-do. They already have to stay in some of education anyway until 18. However, this will also impact further education.

Getting parents to try and teach gcse is a disaster waiting to happen. Even some of the primary work can be confusing for others, we've seen the posts asking for help with homework. Then an assortment of different answers and working out.

One minute we are told by teachers, stay the fuck away from phonics. Now you want me to teach biology at a higher level?

Many adults still cannot correctly name their own genitalia or they use twee words for the vagina. How is that child going to be advantaged for being taught wrong information?

And how can teachers say for certain what will happen?
They don't even know when the schools will open.
No-one knows the future of education.

So @canigooutyet what do you think schools should do, nothing? It could be six months before children go back to school.

I'm not saying they shouldn't be doing anything.
Just that expecting parents to try and teach new things is unworkable for a mountain of reasons. Same with getting some of them online in the first place. Providing of course resources etc are there.

Telling others their children will fall behind and all the rest definitely isn't the right way to go about this. Many will have various reasons why they cannot do the work. Peoples mh will already be impacted, they don't need more to feel shit about. People are trying the best for what works for them.

All schools can do is to send out homework and make those welfare calls. And try and come up with a solution for when they go back.

There simply isn't the resources there to successfully do virtual classrooms on a grand scale like this. And even then, without some intensive training with parents, someone still might have to be physically there to help.

Doing catchup lessons won't work because once on catch-up it's an incredibly hard cycle to get out from. Another reason why they shouldn't issue any new work, they will be aware of the disaster this would cause..

Phonics for example. Teachers post all the time, stay away from the phonics when looking at ideas for early learning. We already know undoing bad habits can be incredibly hard and teachers/classroom staff spend a lot of time teaching the correct way. It's no different to many subjects.

I cannot hover over a teen and be at him all the time to do the work. He has to learn these skills for himself when it comes to doing his GCSE's, and beyond, he should be able to plan his time-table for himself. I would rather him fuck up now giving this chance than learn the hard way through gcse's.

And a lot of the stuff I am reading is basically using apps. A lot of the primary apps, in particular, are very game-like. If he's on a screen I would prefer he's learning a bit more about what interests him. 5 hours a day like some are doing is a lot of time, if it was in front of the ps4 with some minecraft there would be uproar.

canigooutyet, very true, I am a qualified and experienced teacher with pretty massive experience of education, and I find it really challenging to teach my offspring outside my subject area.

And a lot of the stuff I am reading is basically using apps you haven’t even looked at the damn work, stop saying you know it’s all app work. The work is displayed on an app, the principals and learning aren’t a game. There is written work, the question may just been on a screen. This is 2020 children are going to be using apps and screens more than previous generations, it is not the same as a PS4.
For god sake your negativity towards education- I think you need a hard lesson in nations where children would walk over hot coals to get an education!

So is your DS Y9 or Y10 @canigooutyet?

IntoFilm is an excellent site that helps to put education in films. Some very interesting resources to help create discussion and learning. It's aimed at 5-19 year olds, but can be fun for all ages!!

I am sorry that you are worrying over this. All children are in the same situation so no one is going to be massively ahead or behind when things return to normal. That said, its still a good idea to keep some learning ticking over. Also children like structure and routine. Some daily reading, bit of times tables - no computer required. Watch some nature programs, do some art, cooking, gardening, exercise together - all great learning opportunities. There are lots of ideas online that you dont require resources for and it will help the days pass more quickly. You can keep photos of this as evidence of 'learning' if you are having trouble accessing stuff the school have set. The idea isnt that parents should be 'teaching' but just allowing fun learning tasks as part of the day. Hope this is helpful.

There's another thread on here about how people working from home should be actually working.

Talk about piling pressure on people. This is an impossible situation.

How am I negative towards learning when I encourage them to research further what they enjoy? When I encourage conversations about a multitude of subjects?

His knowledge is being expanded beyond what he would learn from the revision work. If I was against education and learning then why would I promote independent learning? Surely he would playing all day long.

I don’t need to open to know how apps for primary in particular are presented. I am very familiar with those as well as more specific apps to help learning. A number of older children with learning needs hate those apps simply because they look babyish.

You’re negative because you haven’t had the decency to even look at what’s been set. You are slating all this set work based on assumption, “much of this work is” “the apps are like this” “we couldn’t do it anyway”....look at the work !

I haven’t said I haven’t tried so stop twisting my words. He has tried but the app isn’t working on my phone so he hasn’t been able to use it, not all kids have laptops/iPads, no I haven’t contacted the school, I think they probably have more important things going on tbh.

OP teachers will want to know if you are having problems accessing the work, that is what they are there for. They don't want to be spending their time setting up work if their pupils can't access it.

Contacting them is no different to your child asking a question in class.

It's not negativity. It is highlighting issues many families will be having. A lot of the issues have also been posted by others. And the additional difficulties many will face trying to teach new things if this new work was to materialise.

You are assuming the only way I can find out about my child's education is by logging into a website. Last day of term they were told revision. It's on the school website. I've talked to the school.

I don't need to open the site to be more than aware of the educational apps used. If questions are to be asked in regards to this, then surely, the same can be asked about those who are just finding out about them now.