Believe it or not, I have found another perk. Not only do we have parent teacher conferences, but there is a lovely little addition after the parent teacher conference....
The parent teacher conference in itself is interesting. I was on the phone and in a virtual classroom at the same time. I can see the power point that the teacher has prepared with all of my child's information. We go over each subject together. I can ask questions, my daughter is there participating also and can ask questions.
We talk about goals and other items also. It is essentially a very detailed progress report with expectations explained also. Then, later, the teacher emails me a copy of all of the information. With my older child, I received a message from her teacher asking if I can think of anything that should be added as a goal...
YES! Please! Yes, my children are doing well. Yes, they are excelling, but thank you so much for asking. My older child has recently quit using her agenda. She has been "winging it" by looking at the lessons next in line and doing what she wants to do.
This has not been a major problem. She is still on track. She is not falling behind, or skipping anything. So what is my problem? It seems to be working right? NO NO NO NO... It has been more chaotic this way. It has created confusion for me. It has added to the time I am working. I think it has also added to her time. Instead of looking at the list we created together at the beginning of the week and systematically eliminating it. I now am having to ask her what has been completed. This may seem petty, but before, we were creating our lists, she would simply check off lessons as they were completed, and once each day, I would go through them. I could check her work, make sure she did it thoroughly and enter attendance or answer the parent questions.
Now, I am having to have her sit with me as I do this. I have to ask for each individual subject what was done. I then review what was needed, check it and then enter attendance. This is NOT better. Our previous method meant I could do this while she finished her chores or watched TV.. Only occasionally did I need to ask her questions. Now, she is more frustrated and so am I. This has only been going on for a week and a half.
Now I can see why some parents may be frustrated with virtual school. Flexibility can be stressful too. I love the flexibility. I love our previous method of scheduling. It was not too rigid. It was a simple check off list for each day.
To be perfectly honest, it is not so much stress that I would find myself in a corner crying, but I definitely think they old way was working much better for both of us. She is irritated that I do not just "know" what she has completed. Yes, I could take her stack of papers, and the internet progress and figure it out. It is not the end of the world. However, I do think that our previous method was more enjoyable and I want it back..
Soooo... I asked her teacher if she could add organization and goal setting to her list of expectations for this quarter. I briefly explained what was going on and that we were by no means falling apart, but that was my request for a goal.
Her teacher answered me promptly.... "YES"...
Have I said I love this? My daughters new method was necessarily bad. I believe there are many virtual school families who are following that particular method. I do not know how many of them are also attempting to work outside of the home, but since I am, I need things as simple and organized as possible. Our time together as a family is so valuable to me. I can do either method. I will do whatever it takes to ensure that my children are well educated. If I have the choice to spend more time going over the work, or more time talking with her, watching a movie with her, taking a walk with her... I would rather the last three choices...
Phew!! There! I said it. It's all about choices. I love our choices. I love my children and I am ever grateful that we found this option.
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