Sim Kern

So here's some ideas of what this could look like instead. For science, take nature walks in a park/bike path, and talk about the water cycle, ecoystems, and biological processes you see. Start a garden. Collect bugs. Set up a science experiment.

English class? Just read, obviously, but also--challenge your kid to write a book! If they're little--draw a picture book. If they're big, write an entire novel. Help them edit it and query an agent for it when they're done.

Social studies--read books that aren't contemporary fiction from your home country. Have international/historical movie time each night. Tell family stories about the parts of history you've lived through, read some more.

Music--if your kid normally plays in orchestra or band, challenge them to write their own piece of music! Too many kids are forced to only play the music others have written without ever getting a chance to create on their own. And everyone knows one instrument--singing.

Paint, paint, paint, draw. The other day, my niece sat at the table and painted for like 6 hours. Why would I interrupt her and say, "Oh your hour of painting is done. We have to do math facts now." No, for once in your life, let the kids paint as much as they want.

PE--learn a dance from tiktok, or put on a ballet and try to copy it, yoga video, if you have access to it, go to a state park and let kids run around in a green space (where you can stay away from other kids), and just BE outside. Bring a soccer ball or a frisbee, whatever.

And math...okay, to some extent, you do just have to sit there and DO math problems sometimes. But there's also counting toys! and tracing shapes! and older kids could run their own epidemiological studies or sign up for free college math electives online.

Our society is fundamentally changed, we're hearing now at least for 18 months--if not longer. If you're a teacher, assigning kids work remotely, think outside-the-box about what is possible for your students--time, choice, authentic, self-directed, DEEP inquiry.

Please don't assign them a worksheet to be due every day. Not only will assigning open-ended, flexible, individualized work be more motivating and enriching, it's a social justice issue. Kids are facing wildly different home environments and access to educational materials.

Think about the privileged, only child, with a state-of-the-art laptop and a bedroom that locks. And think of the kid sharing a bedroom with two siblings, with no internet at home, parents have just been laid off, and there's no food stockpiled.

There's absolutely no equity to giving them all the same assignment, every day, and expecting they do it and turn it in on time. As a teacher, or a home-schooling parent, it IS important to provide learning materials. There are lots of kids who can and should take advantage of it

But please, please be flexible, and understand that your course is now opt-in. For many kids, schoolwork is just not going to be their top priority, because they are facing issues of basic survival (remember Bloom's taxonomy). So post assignments to inspire learning, not force it

If you're a brand-new home-schooling parent, I recommend reading up on Montessori-at-home for young kids, or project-based learning for teens. Limit screen time, go with the flow, and let curiosity be your guide. You'll all be much happier, and amazed at what you'll learn.

If you're wondering who I am to make these recommendations, I was a literacy teacher and curriculum director for 11 years. And since the birth of my kid, I've been a Montessori-at-home parent, which turned a lot of what I thought I knew about teaching upside-down.

It's ok not to hit every subject every day. It's ok to have a lot of unstructured time. It's ok to have a day where you just do 1 or 2 things. I'd try to limit TV/video games to an hour a day (I know it's hard). And try to have outside time each day, & the kids will be just fine.

Since this is blowing up, I’ll add some good ideas that’ve come up in the comments—cooking! Not only is it great for teaching reading comprehension & math (assign them to double/halve the recipe), it’s also a pretty fundamental life skill!

speaking of “adulting,” Maria Montessori was spot-on that chores are great for kids’ development. Millen’ls & gen Z notoriously struggle in their 20’s bc we weren’t taught these. Toddlers can learn to fold laundry, older kids sweep & do dishes, teens can learn to change the oil.

Any kind of crafting is great developmentally & making stuff with your hands is very good for mental health. Let your kid choose a language—any language— they’re interested in studying & there’s a million free resources online for doing it

Learn to meditate! Have time you’re all off on your own, working quietly, and times where you talk—really talk! About ethics or wonderings or your kid’s favorite anime—w/ever we were all too busy to sit around talking about last week. A good conversation is worth 1000 worksheets.

A lot of folks are saying their kids are already essentially being forced to punch a timeclock—sit at a screen all day doing busy work. Good thing in the US we have the option to homeschool! If what your district assigns seems oppressive & pointless, you can withdraw them.

And school districts and principals—y’all need to TAKE NOTE, because if what you’re requiring students to do is neither realistic nor good for them, kids are going to disenroll in droves, and you might not get them all back (or their PSE$) when this is all over.

Before withdrawing though, I would recommend emailing the principals & teachers at your school w/your concerns and give them a chance to adjust what they’re doing! Hopefully they will & your kids can benefit from a MEANINGFUL digital learning community.

Folks responding to "we" didn't do chores--Sorry! Of course, a lot of Mill'ls & genZ'rs did chores--I for sure did hella cleaning & yard work, tho I'm learning car maintenance as an adult. But I do have friends who didn't learn to cook/ clean, & this is a common media narrative!