How to handle homeschooling: from the Sheffield teachers & parents that know

Here we go again – the first week of the new year and we find ourselves back in national lockdown, juggling work, home-living, and home-schooling.
Homeschooling tips from South Yorkshire teachers and parentsHomeschooling tips from South Yorkshire teachers and parents
Homeschooling tips from South Yorkshire teachers and parents

But while the thought of donning our ‘teacher’ hats once again is enough to send any sane parent around the bend, the education community of South Yorkshire has rallied, with tips and advice for surviving our lockdown half term.

"Stick to the school day and school timetable - get into a good routine straight away or it will be harder to catch up,” said Paul Haigh, headteacher at King Ecgbert School.

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“Being up and ready to study at 9am and stopping at 3pm means you have structure to your day and will sleep better.

Homeschooling tips from South Yorkshire teachers and parentsHomeschooling tips from South Yorkshire teachers and parents
Homeschooling tips from South Yorkshire teachers and parents

"Teachers are doing more live lessons online so don’t miss out by sleeping in.

“If you’ve got a problem, talk to your teachers – they may even have a laptop to give you if that’s the problem.

Speaking of exam cancellations for student in Year 11 and Year 13, Mr Haigh urged: “Please don’t stop working - your teachers have a lot of your courses still to cover with you, and they need to see your work to be able to make predictions to form your grades.

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"Make sure you complete and submit all the tasks they set to the best of your ability, and on time.”

Homeschooling tips from South Yorkshire teachers and parentsHomeschooling tips from South Yorkshire teachers and parents
Homeschooling tips from South Yorkshire teachers and parents

Teacher Sara Parkes said: “Chunk your learning into periods of time, like you would at school.

"Don’t attempt to rush it all in a morning so you have the rest of the day.

"Focus on one subject at a time, and leave time for breaks and lunch.”

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Teacher Ashley Wardley agreed that a routine is important, advising parents: "Check their particular school online platform for details of work and when live lessons are.

Homeschooling tips from South Yorkshire teachers and parentsHomeschooling tips from South Yorkshire teachers and parents
Homeschooling tips from South Yorkshire teachers and parents

"Give them plenty of breaks between lessons and ring/email school for advice if it all gets a bit confusing.

"You’re not supposed to be an expert at all this and we understand that!”

Sam Cooper is a course leader and lecturer at Sheffield College, and he says having a specific place to work is key: “Have a place where you only go to work and learn.

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"It’s way too easy to lay in bed or on the sofa with the laptop out, but then there is no break between work and learning, and your own time.

"Drawing up and sticking to a schedule or routine can really help too. Include non-work related stuff on there too and stick to it.

"The key thing for my students in communication – and I mean that in all forms, not just asking for help when struggling with work, but those chats at the end of a class about football and TV too, it’s all part of keeping engaged.”

Alex Dowling was a teacher in Sheffield for more than four decades. He said: “Lego bricks are invaluable, as most families have access to this wonderful medium.

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“I can suggest several challenges that would be great for the younger end of the primary sector.

“Using three different coloured bricks, build a wall 10 bricks long and 10 bricks high but no two colours may touch each other.

“Place two 4 stud bricks side-by-side, using these as a base, build the tallest tower you can out of one colour

“Can a taller tower be built using bricks of two colours in alternate layers?

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“Build a small four-wheeled vehicle, then use a piece of stiff card to make a ramp.

“Raise the ramp using a couple of Lego bricks, run the vehicle down the ramp, and measure the distance travelled.

“Raise the ramp another two blocks and run the vehicle down again, measuring the distance.

"Is there a connection between the height of the ramp and the distance travelled?

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“Let youngsters work on these challenges without being told the answers."

Teachers and parents also took to social media this week, to encourage one another and provide a dollop of perspective.

“Do what you can, and don’t expect your child to do a full six hours,” commented Nicola Ann.

"I’m a teacher, and I couldn't get my own child to do much during lockdown – home and school are very different.

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"Some children will have lots of support, some will have none, so just keep going with the basics, and do fun things - Twinkl has loads of cool science experiments.”

Hazel Kennedy added: “Assuming that you are available to support your child , make it fun and let them experiment.

"If they are primary age, mix up formal learning with creative activities, exercise, and play.

"Don’t be too rigid but try to have some sort of structure to give them consistency. Let them design their own timetable and display it so they can remind themselves what they will be doing the next day

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“Make use of the activities and lessons that are available on TV, and take them out of the house for their exercise so that they have a different experience.

"Make the learning environment as calm a place as you can and perhaps include some sort of incentive to keep them motivated.”

Importantly, she added: “Laugh with them , give them loads of hugs, and enjoy your time with them.”

Charlotte Moore agreed: “Don't be too hard on yourselves, trust in the school staff and ask for help if you need it.”

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Teaching assistant Nazia Ali said: “There are so many useful things out there to help our children, such as the National Oak Academy and BBC lessons on TV.

“It also helps to have a little routine and regular breaks. Of course I’d try mini rewards as well if they are younger children.

"Hope everyone is doing okay! We will get there! Keep smiling!”

And if all else fails, and you desperately need a break, Nikki Pink joked: “You could send the kids outside and tell them it's a fire drill...”