Tomorrow is the big day.
The day the kid’s school schedules finally come out.
It’s the day I get to see when the kids are “in class,” and the times they are learning on their own. I will get to see how three different schedules line up. Well, four schedules because it’s the day I get to see how my days are going to look. Will I be monitoring a geometry lesson at 7 AM? A reading class at 10? A science class at 2?
In short, the kids have online learning to accomplish, and I need to be here for it. Monday through Friday, my time is theirs now. Will I ever get an hour break? I am anxious to find out. Tomorrow.
Trying to set up an online learning space has been daunting. I see pictures on social media of “classroom recreations” to help young learners feel like they are at school. Decorated desks, dedicated rooms. Recommended wall hangings to place around young learners.
The best plan I came up with was to add the table extension to my dining room table to create more room. I have my space and room for three other computers, laptops, or iPads. My wall hangings remain the same decorations. With a dog bed in the corner for the dog who is now a therapy dog, ready to receive deep pets from the overwhelmed and frustrated.
We are headed into unprecedented waters. Although Declan’s IEP will be followed, he will be learning without support staff. Just me. The most comfortable person for him to refuse a request. I will be asking him to make multiple transitions throughout the day, signing into and out of his “classroom.” Transitions are extremely hard for Declan (and those around him). We will be dealing with a new teacher.
There’s a lot to consider and prepare.
As soon as I get the schedules. Tomorrow.
While I have been anxiously waiting to see how the schedules will layout, I have been brainstorming ways to help Declan with his different needs in the classroom. I was able to come up with four things that will help Declan and I for online learning in the fall.
- A Chair Band. After yelling, “ALL FOUR ON THE FLOOR!” more often than I said, “I love you!” I realized something needed to change. As a sensory seeker, Declan seeks stimulus, input, or movement. In a chair, that means Declan is CONSTANTLY tilting backward on the chairs back two legs like he is sitting in a rocking chair. So, I took one of my exercise bands and tied it to the front two legs of the chair, and Declan finally had the movement he was seeking. My chairs and the back of Declan’s head have been saved.
- An Exercise Ball. Looking for more of a bounce? In comes the exercise ball. The ball is excellent at providing more input and movement, which helps Declan focus. Although he’s a little short at the table to do work, he is able to bounce and listen to a story for reading comprehension.
- A Sensory Box. Every year Declan has been in school his teacher has provided him with a sensory box. Inside the box are little trinkets to manipulate and continue to offer pleasing sensory input. He’s not taking time out of his learning to play. Keeping his hands busy helps Declan keep his mind active and able to learn new material.
- A Visual Schedule. It is written in Declan’s IEP that he will have a visual schedule provided to him, so he can mentally plan and prepare for his school day. Lord knows I don’t want to be the one to not follow through with his IEP! 😊 But seriously, since Declan is now expected to do a full school day at home, a visual schedule will show him which hours he is in the classroom, for what subject, and what hours he has to jump on his trampoline and watch YouTube. Hopefully, this will help him with all the transitions he will make throughout each day.
Tomorrow, we get the school schedules and can begin planning and outlining what a school day is going to look like for us. I may not have a fancy new learning space recreating a classroom, but I do have a space. I can also help Declan by providing him some resources to help him physically and mentally with the demands of sitting and online learning in the home.
I rest assured that no one is doing this any better than anyone else. We are all just navigating new waters and meeting the needs of our individual families. I am sure some assignments will be missed for the sake of mental well-being. I’m fine with that. As long as I know that we all tried our best, I’m good with however this turns out.
These are great tips. Certainly going to try the exercise ball and band. We tried a memories box. He picked 5 or 6 items and he dips into the, when he feels the pressure or tension building. Take care Robyn.
Thank you! You too!
These are fantastic tips, Robyn!
I wish you the best of luck this coming year. I hope the schedule that the school provides is one that also works well for you and will give you time also relax during the day.
Declan might be too old for this now but we got a wiggle seat for T per an OT’s recommendation: https://www.amazon.ca/Sporthomer-Balance-Disc-Stability-Classrooms/dp/B07G2C7M4P/ref=asc_df_B07G2C7M4P/?tag=googlemobshop-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=292925747400&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2445037953685669751&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9000907&hvtargid=pla-570361479031&psc=1
Good luck and enjoy the rest of your summer!!!
Thank you so much!
I thought of the wiggle seat as well. Declan’s OT when he was 2 brought one and it really helped D sit through her sessions. I brought it up at the last IEP meeting and the teacher said he didn’t like it in the classroom. I took it lightly – we didn’t really see eye to eye and I always felt there was a power thing going on with her – but then I didn’t want to buy one until I saw if he did work well with it or not. I wish there was a special needs equipment exchange or something like that because a lot of these items can be expensive and then end up not working for your special person. But I am still keeping the option open because it did before and I think it would definitely keep his body stimulated to pay attention!
A special needs equipment exchange is a fantastic idea! I think you should start one (like you have the time, I know)! 😊
By daughter’s home is filled with sensory toys, etc.
They are so helpful!
Sure are
These are tips, thanks so much for sharing this. I love the exercise ball 🙂 Good luck tomorrow. xxx
Thank you so much!!
Oh, I hope there’s room for Robyn Time in the mix of 3 schedules🤞 Full day is going to be difficult for Declan. And you!🙃😕
We haven’t heard anything. Things are in flux right now. Our county is off the “watch list” which means that if we can STAY off for 14 days, schools can reopen. It’s up to the schools. I’m hoping, and crossing everything, that Ben’s school is able to do the hybrid model they talked about before summer. Distance learning was a disaster and just caused “behaviors”. Plus, after 5 1/2 months, I’d love a break and I’m sure Ben would too.
Good luck!🤞🍀
Oh my gosh, I just realized there is a good chance I am going to lose my mornings even though I am up early and in class at 7. I am so unmotivated right now – I have a serious case of the blahs. But then I realized I was about to lose the few things that I enjoyed and it made me take stock and recognize them for their worth. I really hope I get to keep at least a few days of exercise.
Oh man, I hope you get the hybrid schedule. I know my guys would LOVE a break from me at this point. I am trying to remain hopeful for D’s schooling at home. I have a feeling he is going to expect things to be they were in the spring and they are going to be really different. Trying to get him to understand that BEFORE we start school is my goal. I just hated that they waited SO LONG to give me the final details so I could get him (and me) prepped for what’s ahead.
Fingers crossed for you!! 🙂
Looking good, I thought they were going back to school ?
Our district, and surrounding districts, have chosen to go online for the first marking period. I guess I would rather them start off at home so we can get into a “online school” routine that is different than the online schooling that resulted in the immediate shut down of schools in the spring. THAT schooling was bad. This time they have to show up in online class that will be held at different times throughout the week. Which is great for my older kids, but will definitely be a challenge for Declan.
Life is never easy is it Robyn 🙂 hopefully things will settle down soon.
What a great article! Good luck! I hope it goes well. I am still waiting for my kids schedule!
Thank you! I thought I was the only one still waiting and going crazy – good to know that it wasn’t just me. A lot of us are still waiting for the final plan!
A waiting game! 😆
You’re going into the year with a positive attitude–that’s great. I’m feeling a bit of trepidation. I have no idea what the school year is going to look like with Eli at home alone. Susan and I will be able to swing more work at home days than most people, and at 15, he may not need much help, but really, I have no idea. As you said, new waters. Sink or swim. We’ll see.
Hopefully it all works out. Whatever happens, happens. I keep telling myself that in the big picture some leniancy will have to be given for grades during a pandemic.
I too am going to be remote teaching my child. (Which sounds wrong when I put it that way, but honestly, he hates school work and I will likely be chasing after him most of the time to try and pin him down to actually do something!) Good luck to us all. And remember, the IEP is meant to support, not strangle. If something isn’t working, it’s a format that is meant to be changed to suit the child’s needs. (And possibly, the parent’s limitations.)
I am going to be doing the same chase game, trying to get them to do their work. Yuck!
I wish I’d had those things when I went to Texas Tech…
Me too – except I was at Penn State.
What you’re doing is amazing, and I wish you all the best for the new school year!
Thank you!
Thank you for this !
Glad you liked it!
Looks like you are ready to go! I’m not sure what Declan has used in his school building but a rubber sensory seat might be useful to have for him, either wedge shaped or round. It would also give him a little boost if the adult table and chair has his hands on the keyboard in an uncomfortable position. I love that you have them all seated around the dining room table so you can keep an eye on everything. They are so lucky that they have you.
Thank you! Yes, Declan used to use one of those circle seats that allowed for him to move in his chair. I brought it up at the last IEP and the teacher said he didn’t like it. I don’t know if I trust her opinion since we really didn’t see eye to eye, but still don’t want to buy one before I know for sure. I would love an exchange of these items as they can be expensive and then not work. Here’s hoping for a good first day to start the year on the right foot!
You might ask him whether he likes that. I was looking online locally. One of the tools I always had in my classroom was a t-stool. Some local guy made them and sold them cheap. Just a plywood seat and a 2×2 leg. Can’t find even a pattern. Declan might not like those either. T-stools fit some kids to a “t” pun intended, but are liking a bronco bucking off other kids. LOL.
Another option is to find a cheap low table like a tv tray that he can use with the stability ball if he wouldn’t knock the computer off or adjust computer height on table if he’s a stander. Sorry. You probably know all these things.
These are all good ideas. What may work the first week may not in a month. I will be trying to come up with a new plan then and it is good to have ideas like this in the mental bank!
I was always in trouble for the chair thing. My brain understood why it was a bad idea, but again and again, up it would go onto its back legs! I don’t do it now, but those bands sounds like such a good idea! That sounds like a really cool, sensory set-up for Declan.
Thank you!