Virtual Learning

Here are my two virtual students. Reese LOVES it. She had some real gems of humans seated next to her in classes last year and she is happy to not be next to them, this year. She begins early morning seminary at 5:45am M-F. She has zero hour three times a week and works on her BYU independent study Econ class the other two days.  She finishes classwork by 2:30, works on assignments for an hour or two, and is done around the time she normally was getting home from BHS, last year. Throughout the week she puts in a couple extra hours of studying here and there. About once a week she takes a break and goes for a walk or hangs out with Emma (next door, also a virtual student), and age plays pickle ball after school once a week with the Shaws, and on the weekends she picks up a babysitting gig, practices driving, has a FaceTime meeting with Sister Howe, and usually gets together with Finley. She currently has no desire to take classes on campus and is thriving using the virtual platform. She recently got 100% on her Spanish III test. She loves having free time on Fridays and often comes along on homeschool adventures. 

Corbin also enjoys virtual classroom and got to be the leader on Friday.  He gets frustrated with having to rush back from orchestra class and missing the first 10–15 minutes of his last class, and he does not enjoy virtual math instruction. He loves  his English class and recently submitted a video that won a contest. His teacher sent him a tornado maker in the mail.  His social studies teacher also creatively keeps the class engaged by giving instructions through an app that turns photos of the students’ pets into talking animals. She also uses voice filters and it’s pretty hilarious. 

Big points to educators putting in extra effort to figure out how to navigate new territory, and big points to all of the kids who are working hard to figure it all out with them. 

Aaron has returned the working in the home office 3-4 days a week. I miss the flexibility of being able to run a quick errand when the littles were napping, but I definitely understand that he can focus better at the home office than with someone yelling, “hey mom! Mommmmm! Hey Mom I pooped in the toilet!  Come wipe my bottom!” 6 feet away through the office door. We do what we can to make it work. And by “make it work” I mean he doesn’t work here any time he can get away with it. 😂 

We are keeping our heads above water. It’s a busy life we live, but it’s still better than last year and we are so grateful for that!