Related: Coronavirus forum, discuss everything related to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.
Related: Coronavirus forum, discuss everything related to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.
Lockdown learning
So much school work...
formerbabe · 24/03/2020 11:47
So when I found out schools were closing, I got lots of supplies in to do loads of activities and stuff with my DC. I had lots of good ideas for arts and crafts, games, cooking etc but they each have so much stuff to do from school, there's literally no time to do anything. I keep seeing people put up on Facebook the activities they've been doing and ideas to keep their DC occupied but honestly I can barely keep up with the actual school work let alone doing anything else.
I don't want to sound ungrateful to the teachers and schools as they're doing an amazing job in difficult circumstances but I do feel a bit disappointed as there's so much stuff I'd like to do and feel like our time isn't our own.
Ledkr · 24/03/2020 11:51
You dont have to do it.
Dd did lots yesterday but is today a bit odd and tearful so we have had story time and she is now on the trampoline having a picnic.
These are not normal times. We need to just get through the best we can
Kelsoooo · 24/03/2020 11:53
Each school appears to be different on this so I'd not worry too much about the set work.
FthisS · 24/03/2020 11:56
Our school are not issuing any work until April 20th. So we baked yesterday and wrote out the recipe etc. Today we started a book, took it in turns to read a chapter then we drew posters based on part of the book.
CuckooCuckooClock · 24/03/2020 11:57
Just do the bits you fancy when you fancy them.
No need to feel under pressure.
I’ve set work got my classes but I don’t actually expect most of them to complete it all. If you have other stuff planned just do that.
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 24/03/2020 11:59
You realise the work has to last til September? Just cut back on it. An hour of time at the table after breakfast, two hours after lunch.
Do whatever you like to do with them the rest of the time.
We've just gone into lockdown - you are all indoors for the next 500 hours. I'm sure there's time to do your fun stuff.
noblegiraffe · 24/03/2020 12:02
Don’t do it all. There’ll be people able to do very little.
Teachers don’t want complaints about them not pulling their weight or providing enough work. My kids’ primary have said do as much or as little as you like according to what’s manageable and what your kids need right now.
formerbabe · 24/03/2020 12:02
You realise the work has to last til September?
My dc are getting it set daily...four pieces a day for my primary DC.
My secondary DC has stuff for every single subject...so we have maths, English, science, art, geography, re, design, etc. And it all has to be submitted once completed over email.
minipie · 24/03/2020 12:03
As they are not preparing for exams then I wouldn’t worry too much. The teachers may feel they need to be seen to set lots. Some parents may have asked for lots. Doesn’t mean the school actually wants or requires you to do it all.
I think 3x 1 hr a day is sensible, the rest of the time can be for fun.
TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 24/03/2020 12:04
So are you saying your kids have more work than they would have if they were attending school and going to their lessons? 
I'm a teacher (secondary) and I either teach the lessons online or set up an activity to be done during the lesson. Then I set homework as normal. The kids aren't on holiday until September, you know - when the new school year starts, they'll be expected to be in the right place academically for whatever year they're going into! And if schools are allowed to open next term, the same applies.
My year 10S can't miss out a whole chunk of their GCSE just because they're learning remotely - I'm still expected to deliver the curriculum.
Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 24/03/2020 12:05
Mine put a list of activities this week. I think they will do this every Monday, but they have stressed that it's optional.
LambriniSocialist · 24/03/2020 12:05
I feel the same! But the teachers know they will get shit if they don't set 'enough', people I know are already moaning about 'lazy teachers' not doing actual remote learning live streams the whole day! So teachers are setting plenty for the kids who can to be getting on with I think.
Just do what you can/want 
HugoSpritz · 24/03/2020 12:07
This reply has been deleted
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
PurpleDaisies · 24/03/2020 12:08
Don’t worry about it. Just do what works for your family.
formerbabe · 24/03/2020 12:09
So are you saying your kids have more work than they would have if they were attending school and going to their lessons?
No but on a normal school day they're out the house from 8.30-3.30. They come home, have dinner, chill for a short time then do homework. On most normal weekdays we don't have time for much extra. This is exactly the same...I'm just asking the question because I keep seeing stuff online about activities to do to keep your kids busy but I have zero time to do anything beyond their schoolwork and feeding them. It would be nice to do some baking or games but I can't see how we're going to get through the stuff they've been set if we do other things.
GarkandGookin · 24/03/2020 12:12
Every time I set work pupils are completing it online so I set them more. There are pupils I see for 40 minutes a week who have spent 2 or 3 hours doing the work I have set. It was supposed to last all week!
Other pupils haven't even logged on. It doesn't matter. If you want to have a day off then do. If you want them to do schoolwork in the mornings and activities in the afternoons then do. The work will still be there next week or the week after.
Kelsoooo · 24/03/2020 12:12
@TjeOnlyLivingBoyinNewCross
I hope that only applies to GCSE students who should have a good grasp on self education by now.
Because otherwise that's a very unfair ask. Many, many parents aren't able to teach children, regardless of parents own intelligence levels.
We can teach our primary school kids maths and science and history, the au pair is taking Spanish. English they're using online resources.
But we're lucky in that a/. We're both using subjects we really enjoy via mediums we really enjoy. B/. Maths and Science are a big part of DHs job so he is really just using his work to teach them, and it's definitely not curriculum related at this stage.
But what about parents that either are very smart but shit at creating packets of information a child can understand (which arguably is what education is) or aren't very smart themselves, or have other things such as dying parents, many siblings etc to contend with?
We should aim to ensure our children don't fall behind. Asking us, none trained educators to propell them up levels is hardly fair
mondaywine · 24/03/2020 12:12
This ‘lazy teacher’ was in school today with my own child so people can work. People always teacher bash. It’s very early to get this right just now. I’ve been a teacher forever but I’ve never worked liked this. Some children and families started homeschooling immediately. Others are taking small steps and will get there. Do what you feel is right. Draw up a timetable. But remember this isn’t the holidays. Over the Easter break there won’t be work set so use that time for crafts etc.
sudocremanglaise · 24/03/2020 12:14
Most people have barely begun with having their DCs at home - we’re only 2 days into schools actually being closed (although some will have been off already for isolation or other concerns). I have 2 Primary aged DCs.
Yes, they need to be prepared for the next term/year. But I’m taking the view that we were 2 weeks away from Easter hols and I wasn’t planning on spending that time recreating the classroom, I imagine most people don’t spend their holidays doing that. So a bit of lag in figuring things out now is totally fine. They’re hardly going to be whipped back into school too soon.
Like you OP we see this as an opportunity to do some different things - as in, opening up other experiences they might not do during the school day and which we might not always have the time (or energy!) to do regularly outside of school. School are sending us a weekly email with work, themes etc and I’m saving them all for once we get into the swing of our new routine but for now I’m just following their lead.
Also a reminder that loads happens during the school day, like registration, play times, lunch, and general corralling of 30 children. Children don’t spend 6.5 hours per day studying. With focused attention, children will cover a lot more ground in a shorter time frame than they might do in class, leaving you to be flexible and incorporate learning more casually elsewhere throughout the day.
formerbabe · 24/03/2020 12:15
Also the tasks are probably taking longer to complete at home then at school. We're sharing the computer, having to print stuff out. Work out what we're doing and when. I'm having to refresh my memory about certain subjects and google information. I'm very lucky I'm a sahm because I couldn't WFH and do this.
lentenwonder · 24/03/2020 12:18
I’d call it a best endeavours thing - the teacher assured us they’d be going over everything, I see no need to make sure everything is done to the best of their ability at the expense of mh, family bonding, exercise or rest.
formerbabe · 24/03/2020 12:20
Anyway I just set up this thread as I was wondering how other families were managing to spend all their day making a tent in the garden, or doing crafts or baking and I can barely keep up.
bookmum08 · 24/03/2020 12:21
Schools cannot expect all children to do all the work. Other than my phone we don't have wifi at home. So no checking daily for work or emailing it to the teachers for my daughter. I doubt we are the only family in the country without wifi. Teachers can expect it - but the work simply won't get done for 100s of children for 100s of reasons.
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 24/03/2020 12:27
What about the parents that don't have computers and printers at your school OP?
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.