Home ed schedule for year 6 child during CV and parent is in final year of degree and pregnant!

[Layladylay234]

Just that really! I REALLY wanted my son to stay in as long as possible but after yesterday's advice from the Government for me to socially distance and his headteacher telling us she was self-isolating with a temp AND them starting to run out of soap and sanitiser, I thought now was the time.

He's overjoyed, obviously, as he think's he'll get to play Fortnight all day! Having been a teacher I know all about Twinkl, TES etc but I really needed advice on how to work a schedule. I'm currently in my final year of uni so have 3 more modules to finish before May (and a week before the baby is due!) so have a few assessments, including my dissertation in. So the next 4 weeks would have been crucial for me in terms of getting work done. I'm sure I could ask for an extension but it seems pointless as I'll have a newborn for the period of the extention!

So, I was thinking, if I did 4 hours with him back to back of stuff between 8.30 - 12.30...mixture of a bit of maths, English,reading, topic, getting some fresh air, having a walk...then having lunch 12.30 - 1.30, I COULD work 1.30 - 5.30 on my uni work and just about manage to complete the assignments.

My concern is a) what does he do during those 4 hours - aka that's not playing Fortnight
B) Is the 4 hours back to back too much? Should I break it up into 2 x 2 hour sessions and do my study the same?

He doesn't have a sibling and don't really have any relatives he could go to. Thanks x

i think i would do 8:30-11:30 working with him, then let him play fortnite up until you have prepared lunch for him, have had some time to work etc. call him through for lunch at around 12:30, then i think i would let him do individual work eg reading, times table practice on the computer, project work whilst you work on your uni work. do this until around 2:00 (factoring in time for lunch) and then let him play outside (if that's possible, do you have a garden?) if not, maybe another half hour on fortnite and then indoor games (you could get a small indoor basketball net or an indoor football)

You're not home educating. You are keeping your child off school.

Couldn't he just play during those four hours? Play with toys, drawing etc.

Thanks sleepismysuperpower1 for that advice and support.

I doubt you’ll keep his attention from 8:30-12:30. That’s longer than a morning session and they would get a break in that time.
Could you alternate a couple of hours each? And give him a 5-10 minute break halfway through his session.

We have the luxury of me at home FT, so no work or assignment to do, but are self isolating for 2 weeks as my Y6 has got a cough.

We sketched out a plan today:
7: get up (this will be slow going, but reading and a bit of TV while DH gets his top half decent for a day of Skype meetings)
8: breakfast and clear kitchen
9: maths
10: half and half in the garden and tablets
11: English
12: lunch
1: domestic chores
2: project- they can choose the subject, and what it involves. DS10 has found a code cracking book, and is going to look into that, DS8 wants to make an Egyptian pyramid and write facts all over it.
3: half and half outside and screens
4: TV
5: dinner
6: board games
7: DS8 bed, DS10 reading
8: DS10 bed by 9.

Thinking about how to get you chunks of time, could you set him off on e.g. maths, and tell him when its done to move onto tablet/tv. Then you stop after an hour, do something with him outside, then repeat with English/whatever else you decide to do with him, followed by lunch, and follow a similar pattern in the afternoon?
60/90 min chunks probably isnt ideal, but might be the best way to get chunks out of your son while limiting fortnite opportunities?

I have given my year 6 a list of things to do each day - she can choose when and how to do them. Not over managing her too much. She’s enjoying the opportunity for creative writing. Not so happy about maths! Learning chess. List includes playing and ‘create something’
DS, when he’s recovered, will be a different matter and will need a more structured timetable.