I decided to get the homeschooling started a little early. Going inside a school building is not an option that I am comfortable with during this COVID19 pandemic. I made a deal with each of them. If they each read one children's book, then I would read two children's books of equivalent size. It took five hours for the two of them to each read a book.
At first, it was going well. Then, came the making up the story by looking at the pages. Then came substituting poo, pee, and fart for words they didn't feel like sounding out. Then came the laying on their backs, and touching each other with their feet. Multiple water breaks, some pleading, some threats, some praise, more begging. My son who is in second grade and fully capable of reading the book he selected, was the worst culprit of derailing behavior. My daughter entering first grade picked a book a little beyond her level but was determined to read it. Unfortunately for me when she would get stuck, my son would read over her shoulder, which started fights.
When they were done, although exhausted I was so proud. I am sure experienced school teachers probably have much better techniques, but I think we did well. Also, I am sure there is no way two kids in the classroom would get five hours of mostly undivided attention.
I am less worried about lesson planning, as some things take way longer then I anticipate. Like last year in April at the beginning of lockdown, when I planned a two-hour letter writing lesson, which took six days.
So here is quality time with the kiddos and the joy of hard-won completion.
