By now most of us know the plan for school. Our district has the option of in-person for 2 days and at home for 3 so that means all of us are going to be doing some sort of home school with our kids. We’re now 2 weeks from our first day of school so we’re taking this weekend and getting everything ready at home for a smooth transition. Here’s the plan:

1. Set up work space – We have a special place in our home in which the kids can study at. There’s a chair for each of them as well as paper, pencils, crayons, folders and clipboards (to keep things organized with). It works well in our home having it separate from the dinning table but if the dinning table works for your family, use it!
2. Establish a routine – My kids thrive on routine as I know many others do too. Take the guessing game out of it for them and print off a clear routine in which everyone will follow on their days at home. Make this routine visual. Everyone needs to be able to see the schedule/routine to know what’s expected and what’s to come.
3. Equipment – There is so much learning happening on technology. Make sure you have all the equipment you need to get started. This would include a laptop, headphones, tablets, etc. I know in our house having head phones is vital. No one can concentrate when they hear little brother’s fun learning games on. So he gets the headphones while the older kids are on the tablets and at the desk working on their assignments.
4. Find your tribe – With there being different options to learning this year (in-person, independent studies, remote learning, etc) you need to find your tribe. This will be key when those harder days hit. They don’t have to be doing school the same way as you this year just someone who is supportive. If you happen to be teaching the same way, awesome, you can bounce ideas off each other but either way, find your people!
5. Set up your rules – Just like if your kids go to school there are rules. Usually these rules are taught the first week of school and then posted somewhere where the kids will see them often. I also recommend coming up with the consequences when a rule is broken. This is going to look different in every home so do what’s best for your kids and your family.

This school year is quickly approaching and I’m pretty excited! Taking the steps to get ready is a great way to get your kids excited about it as well. We’ve got this!