As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, it’s crucial to stay informed. I encourage everyone to consult resources from local health departments, the Centers for Disease Control, and the World Health Organization for the latest updates. Like countless families across the country, mine is navigating the challenges of having our kids home from school for an extended period due to the pandemic. With a nine-year-old and twin six-year-olds vying for my attention, keeping them engaged while trying to work from home can be a daunting task.
Amidst the chaos, we recently held a family meeting where the kids expressed a desire to continue learning during this time off from school, essentially opting for a homeschooling approach. I took a deep breath and decided to embrace this opportunity, immediately searching online for resources. Enter Scholastic, which has come to the rescue with its free “Learn at Home” activities.
Ah, Scholastic! The name alone sparks joy, conjuring memories of book fairs and those delightful order forms that filled my childhood with excitement. I still find myself looking forward to those little catalogs that my kids bring home, eager to explore new books together. Scholastic is dedicated to supporting children, educators, and families, and during these trying times, they have stepped up by offering 20 days of free educational content online. The first five days are already live, with the remaining lessons set to roll out soon. Parents can select from four different grade levels: PreK and Kindergarten, Grades 1-2, Grades 3-5, and Grades 6+. Each day’s activities provide approximately three hours of learning packed with fun.
The content includes articles to read (with a text-to-speech option), engaging stories, virtual field trips, and worksheets that challenge our kids in creative ways. I have a newfound appreciation for the professional educators who dedicate their lives to teaching children, and as a parent involved in my kids’ education, I must admit I never imagined I would take on full responsibility for their learning. But here we are, and thanks to Scholastic, I have a treasure trove of materials to keep my children engaged for weeks.
I explored the age-specific sections, and they are fantastic! For the younger grades, there are storybooks read aloud through video accompanied by visuals, an educational video, and an activity related to the day’s theme. For instance, my first graders will embark on an “Animal Studies: Spiders” lesson, featuring “Diary of a Spider” read to them, followed by a nonfiction book about spiders. They’ll then watch an educational video and participate in a draw-and-write activity to solidify their learning.
The books are accessible via BookFlix, a platform that offers a plethora of literature from beloved authors across nine categories. I may have spent quite a while browsing through the amazing titles available, thinking about all the great stories I want my kids to discover during our afternoon snacks. BookFlix also provides age-appropriate word puzzles and short literacy lessons, encouraging deeper exploration of each book’s themes.
Accompanying videos for each lesson come from Scholastic’s Watch & Learn library, complete with keywords to focus on and a brief comprehension quiz afterward. These lessons also include printable “Think Sheets” in both English and Spanish, prompting readers to reflect on the videos they watched. Additional video topics cover Social-Emotional Learning, Health and Safety, and Physical Science and Engineering.
My third grader is bound to enjoy her lessons too. I’m thrilled she’ll take a virtual field trip to the Museum of the American Revolution, guided by Lauren Tarshis, the author of the popular “I Survived” series. After that, she’ll learn about otters, connect with a domino designer using math, and even engage in a debate about whether cats or dogs make better pets. And that’s just a glimpse of what’s in store!
During this uncertain time, I’m striving to maintain a balanced perspective. We are fortunate to be healthy and able to stay at home while the world navigates this crisis. While I face financial stress and new challenges, I remind myself that many have it much worse. I’m focusing on gratitude for the abundance of online resources that keep my children connected to the outside world and engaged in learning.
These upcoming weeks may be long, but just when I thought my admiration for Scholastic couldn’t grow any more, they illuminate our path with resources that make this challenging time a little brighter. For more insights into parenting and home insemination, check out this other blog post. Additionally, if you’re looking to boost fertility, Make a Mom offers valuable supplements for this journey. Also, consider visiting Mount Sinai for excellent infertility resources.
In summary, Scholastic’s free educational resources are a lifeline for parents trying to keep their children engaged during school closures. Their commitment to providing diverse and enriching content helps ease the burden of homeschooling, making it a valuable tool for families everywhere.
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