lockdown learning chat (primary school children)

[HelloMist]

I wondered if we could have a daily chat where we can just drop in to update how we're doing learning from home, good or bad, or tips etc and find some company.

My DD is KS1 age though we can broaden it if you want to join.

puts the kettle on, cuts some

[LilyMumsnet]

Small title edit at OP's request - staying for a slice of cake.

[HelloMist]

we've had a good day on the whole. Year 1 DD and I both found it overwhelming at first. It's still tiring but we're getting more used to it this week and I'm realising it's ok not to finish every bit set for us.

She was a bit emotional after a class virtual session today (first one). Have others found the same? She enjoyed it but was upset afterwards.

[HelloMist]

Thanks, Lily!

[Glittergoblin]

Hello, I'd like to join this chat! I have 2 DDs reception and year 2. Finding it difficult to keep on top of the set work each day but trying our best. Some days they seem quite happy to get on with it and others (like today) are just not interested at all!

[HelloMist]

Hi @Glittergoblin, thanks for joining. It must be hard juggling 2 sets of work and needs.

It's hard to keep their motivation going, isn't it! I was really proud of what DD did today but I had to coax her quite a lot to stay on track with the tasks, not just do the bits she enjoyed (eg. a drawing but not the writing to describe it).

Nearly the weekend. Hope you have a nice evening.

[trilbydoll]

Y3 and Y1 here. We quickly realised they are no use to anyone after lunch. But today DH and I were both in meetings until 11am so we could do our usual routine and it felt like we were behind before we had even started.

The main problem is the junior school decided to go to a 4 day week so tomorrow DD2 will be wailing about how unfair it is that she is the only one with schoolwork!

[HelloMist]

We get more done before lunch too.

4 day week sounds good! But only if it was all of us. Perhaps DD1 could have some activities/colouring for part of the day off to keep her busy? Just an idea.

I'm flagging today, feel low in mood and motivation. Will try to get out soon with DD and see if the sunshine helps me.

Have a good weekend!

[canijustscream]

Y3 and reception mum here. Hope you all survived the week ok.

So they both get zoom calls every am for registration and a chat about the tasks, then a wrap up session at the end of the day. Need to squeeze in 3 tasks per child within that period which isn't always easy.

Y3 gets on with most of it by himself (although there's always "mum can you come and check this") but with my reception child she needs constant attention and guidance!!! They're both listening to videos in the same room (aka kitchen) so keep distracting each other all the time. Tasks are relatively straightforward but my 4 yo takes forever with every move she makes. GRRRRRRR

I blame myself for being a perfectionist and so I feel I need to give them 100%, which is why I'm always grumpy. I feel like I'm a terrible mum.

[Indecisivelurcher]

Oh just place marking before next week, I started a similar thread but it didn't take off. Lovely to have company! Have Dd age 6 so ks1 and ds age 3&3/4, as I've been told today! Luckily he's at preschool 4 days. I work part time and dh full time. We've been doing 'ok' but struggling to get through the volume of work set by school, it's mostly worksheets, no video calls. Dd is smart but awkward, not keen, starting to struggle with us always saying no can't play got to work, here's your worksheet. This week we rebelled slightly and didn't do the geography or RE. Lovely to get out to the local park in the sunshine today, that made a big difference to morale.

[Howmanysleepsnow]

Can I join? I’ve got 2 primary age dc, Y3 and Y4 (also a Y9 and a Y10). Neither can work unsupervised. DS7 only learnt to read in the first lockdown (up until then he hadn’t moved up a book band since nursery). Previously he been too tired from school to try any extra reading practice at home without a meltdown and only managed without tears once every month or so. We got caught up on reading by May last year at the expense of everything else so now we’re trying to catch up on the first 3 years of schooling. Understandably he lacks confidence! He’s making good progress but my god, it’s intense! No chance of him just getting on with worksheets or feeling confident to follow a video lesson alone!
DS8 also struggles: not so much with the work but with sitting in a chair, facing the general direction of his work and getting on with stuff.
Both have been having my 1:1 support alternately through the day, with occasional interruptions to sort out computer/ printer issues for the older 2 or proof read GCSE English/ science/ maths and explain the bits DS15 can’t be bothered to look up himself!
Both the younger 2 are doing well and really improving, but I’m completely exhausted (and back on nights next week so it can only get worse. Thank god I’m part time.)

[canijustscream]

Gosh @Howmanysleepsnow that sounds intense... I'm also trying to concentrate on their reading during the lockdown. My Y3 reads for pleasure but obviously my reception child still needs me with reading. Good thing is that we can choose what she wants to read and that makes it a lot more fun than fighting to read the school readers...

[canijustscream]

@Indecisivelurcher it must be hard work with kids when you're both working from home.. I've taken a break from work but even so feel exhausted by 2pm!!!

[nanbread]

I've got one KS2, one in reception. Neither will read independently, 4 year old can't read at all. They've hardly read this year, we read to them. I am worried about the impact but older DC is so reluctant (dyslexia).

We have no live lessons, but I'm starting to see that as a blessing. It means we can structure our days how we want with low expectations.

I am slightly concerned about their progress but DC1 seems to be going over old stuff from last year anyway, DC2 was behind anyway and will doubtless need intervention. Ridiculous that a 4 year old is already behind.

[Emmacb82]

I’ve got ds who is in reception and an 8 month old. I go from feeling really positive about home schooling to really stressed! Everyone keeps telling me that he’s only 4 and it doesn’t matter that he’s not at school but I can’t help but feel that it’s his first ever year at school and it’s been so messed up. The school are very supportive and they do send a lot of activities through. Sometimes the amount is a bit overwhelming but we just try and muddle through the best we can. We have been told that phonics, reading and then maths are the most important. I’ve been downloading free ebooks from the oxford owl website for him to try.

[Indecisivelurcher]

@Emmacb82 if you've got a tablet I recommend 'teach a monster to read' and 'hairy phonics'. There's also a great website called phonics play, there's a code on the front page to make it all free in Jan.

[Emmacb82]

@Indecisivelurcher ah thanks very much for that, I’ll take a look 😀

[HelloMist]

Hi, welcome @canijustscream @Indecisivelurcher @nanbread and @Emmacb82. :)

It's good to have company. Some of the threads debating what should happen long term with schools or when they'll reopen make me feel stressed. It's an important question, but for now it's keep going one step at a time while this is how it is.

@emma I get what you mean: it's sad that his first year is so different, so strange and patchy. It's good he must have been in school for a term, though I know from September it wasn't "normal" school, and parents couldn't go in and meet the teachers, see the classroom etc. DD was in reception last year. I was lucky enough that I could until Covid hit. Learning in the first lockdown was a bit less organised/well supported depending on the school. Ours were quite good but there was less interaction and feedback, only really some suggested activities. In a way, having more is better, though I know it can get overwhelming in its volume now. :(

It's good you are positive at times and that his school's supportive!

[HelloMist]

we enjoyed the snow here yesterday. I hope more comes (forecast says it might) as it was fun for DD and seeing other children (not too close) felt a bit more like normal times.

[SpencerGregson]

Hello, All! I have 3 primary - Y6, Y4 & reception (also have one at secondary, but she's pretty self-sufficient, thankfully). Also work part time but fortunately it's flexible but still accounting for quite a few late nights.

The younger 3 are at the same school and teachers are working hard to provide teaching and staying in touch. A zoom for them all each morning, Y6 have another at 11 (one for English, one for maths) and the 2 youngest have a longer well-being zoom weekly. Also one live PE session each. Work on google classroom for Y6/4 and tapestry for R.

I am finding it HARD! As last time, my 8-year old hates being at home, misses his friends and it's such a battle to produce things below his usual standard. My Reception boy is keen but is starting to forget things and getting a bit frustrated. Some of the zoom calls make him a bit sad which makes me a bit sad too!!! Also starting to hit home how much my Y6 girl is missing the longer the stay off - I will be so upset if she doesn't make it back in summer and misses the end of primary with her friends.

On the plus side, they have loved the snow today so am hopeful it sticks around tomorrow!

Good luck this week to you all!

[Howmanysleepsnow]

Morning everyone! Good luck for today...

[Knitsewthread]

Hi everyone - would love to join!

I'm in a similar situation to @Emmacb82 with a reception aged child and a 7 month old who is teething, grumpy and won't be put down or nap for long. I feel like I'm constantly failing one of them and their needs and finding it all a bit stressful!

No live lessons here but the school sends through daily phonics work and then suggested activities for the week. DS was happy to start with but the novelty has definitely worn off now and feel all I do is nag him (so much so that he has made up a song about grumpy mummy)

How much time per day do you spend on work with reception aged children?

[Glittergoblin]

Knitsewthread I don't spend long at all on my reception aged DD as her attention span is short and I also have a year 2 DD. We maybe spend half an hour to an hour spread over the day in short sessions concentrating on phonics, reading, writing or numbers.

[Howmanysleepsnow]

How’s it going? We’ve just had a break for lunch and got this afternoon’s work printed off. I was optimistic they could both manage at least one of the remaining lessons semi-independently but have just been informed otherwise in no uncertain terms!
DS7 is doing well and only has science left for today, but DS8 has maths and music to do, plus reading plus. He’s put about 100 times more effort into flopping about and complaining he caaaannnn’ttt dooooo iiiiiit than into trying today. I’m taking them out on their roller skates in a minute to break up the monotony, blow the cobwebs away and get some exercise before we start again. It’s starting to feel like a long week already!
The teenagers are working independently, though I’ve no idea as to the quality of DS15’s work as he keeps “forgetting” to let me see before he submits it. This is especially worrying as some is coursework...

[Indecisivelurcher]

Week 3... Had a good chat to dh at the weekend and day 1 of implementing 'the plan'. I did the breakfast shift and preschool drop then school and play duties with Dd until 11, then swapped in with dh so I can concentrate on my own work for 4hrs, then I'll stop, pick up ds from preschool, they'll have an hour of screens then I'll finish for the day. I will try to catch up some work hours on a Wednesday. It makes my head hurt thinking about all this. Feel like I can't see a way through.

But got phonics, maths and literacy done between us and Dd and ddog out for a walk.

I've now got 50 unread emails...

[Knitsewthread]

@Glittergoblin that makes me feel better, I thought I might not be doing enough as, like your DD, DS quickly gets to the end of his alertness! I keep telling myself that the majority of their time at school will be spent playing still at the moment which makes me feel a bit less worried!

I don't know how those with two or more to homeschool and multiple subjects do it!