The Many Reasons Why Physical Education Is So Important!

Is Physical Education Important?:

How to Add Physical Activity to Your Homeschool And Why You Really Should. Read on to Discover The Many Reasons Why Physical Education Is So Important!

By Chelsea McLeod

The Many Reasons Why Physical Education Is So Important

We all know that physical education is essential to development. Physical Education is So Important!

We grew up being told that physical activity is extremely important and Physical Education classes are scheduled into the day 3-4 times a week. So naturally, when you choose to homeschool, you feel as if you need to make sure this is a part of your journey. But that’s not the only reason you might think keeping your kids active is essential to their academic work.

The world is becoming increasingly digital, so children spend more time indoors and less time engaging in physical activities. While technology is undoubtedly a convenient and essential part of modern life, it is essential to recognize the importance of physical education and its role in a well-rounded education.

What is Physical Education? And Why Is Physical Education So Important? 

Physical education (PE) helps children develop their motor skills and build their bodies, making it a crucial aspect of their overall health and well-being. PE also helps children develop teamwork skills and improves their self-esteem and confidence. Additionally, regular physical activity has been linked to better academic performance, making it an essential aspect of homeschooling. So not only can it help keep your children healthy physically, but it can also help to stimulate their minds and keep their brains healthy and agile. 

Now that we have established what Physical Education is, it is important to note why it is essential and how you can incorporate it into your homeschool curriculum. Let’s explore some of the benefits of being physically active and read about the main reasons why physical education is so important!

The Many Reasons Why Physical Education Is So Important

The Following List Shows The Main Reasons Why Physical Education Is So Important!:

  1. Physical education is much more than just a fun break from traditional academics. Here are some of the key benefits of including PE in your homeschool curriculum:
  2. Improved Physical Health – Regular physical activity can help improve children’s cardiovascular health, reduce their risk of obesity, and improve their overall physical well-being.
  3. Enhanced Mental Health – Physical activity has been linked to improved mental health, including reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression. Also, check out Schoolio’s extensive Social Emotional Learning Library. 
  4. Better Academic Performance – Children who engage in regular physical activity tend to have better academic performance, including improved concentration and memory.
  5. Improved Social Skills – PE provides children with opportunities to interact with others and build teamwork skills, which are critical for success in later life.
  6. Boosted Self-Esteem and Confidence – Physically active children feel better about themselves and their abilities, leading to improved self-esteem and confidence.

Physical activity has many benefits and provides many physical and mental benefits for growing children.

It can also give kids something to look forward to in their week, as academics are not always a draw, but kids love moving and playing.  Next, we need to look at ways you can fit this crucial developmental element into your homeschool days. 

The Many Reasons Why Physical Education Is So Important

How to Incorporate Physical Education into Your Homeschool; Take Advantage of The Main Reasons Why Physical Education Is So Important!

So here we are; we understand the many reasons why physical education is so important. Now I’d like to offer some practical suggestions on incorporating PE into your homeschool curriculum.

Here are some quick tips: 

  • Make it a Priority – Physical education should be given the same importance as any other subject. Set aside dedicated time for PE each day and make it a non-negotiable part of your homeschool routine.
  • Get Creative – There are many ways to incorporate physical activity into your homeschool. From structured activities like sports and games to more informal activities like hiking, gardening, and playing with your children. Get creative and find ways to make physical activity fun for your children.
  • Use Technology – Many online resources help incorporate physical education into your homeschool curriculum. Look for videos and tutorials on various physical activities, including yoga, dance, and sports.
  • Make it Age-Appropriate – Make sure that the physical activities you include in your homeschool curriculum are age-appropriate for your children. This will ensure that they can participate safely and enjoyably.

But, Do You Need to Incorporate Physical Education into Your Homeschool?

As you have read in this blog, the benefits of physical education are countless and undeniable. However, it’s also essential for us to remember that not all children will enjoy regular physical activity. For example, some prefer reading, working on more solitary activities, or playing video games.  Not all families will also have the resources to include PE in homeschool curriculum or pay for extracurricular sports activities. 

Physical education is an essential aspect of a well-rounded education. It offers numerous benefits for children’s physical and mental health and academic performance. You don’t necessarily need to include physical education in your homeschool to provide your children with a well-rounded education.

There Are Many Reasons Why Physical Education Is So Important! One is providing a Multi-faceted Education:

This type of multi-faceted education can come from many other things (tutoring, sports, clubs, etc.). It doesn’t need to be provided by you in the home to be effective. However, if you have the resources and your children are on board, incorporating PE into your day-to-day homeschooling plan will benefit your child’s future well-being.  You can also help ensure that your children are getting the exercise they need to stay healthy and happy in all aspects of their lives.

The Many Reasons Why Physical Education Is So Important

Follow your child’s lead.

Whether or not you choose to include it in your homeschool curriculum, you must follow your child’s lead. It is crucial to work with them to find an activity they enjoy. That way, even if they are not interested in physical activity they still get some exercise. 

Most importantly, remember that you ensure your children get enough physical activity each day outside of schooling. Even if they are not participating in structured activities they will still have the benefits of activity. Healthy development is complimented by any type of recreation children actively participate in. It doesn’t matter whether it is structured activities or simply playing and exploring the great outdoors. So find something that they enjoy and encourage them to pursue it. This way, they will be exercising, doing something they like and taking advantage of The Many Reasons Why Physical Education Is So Important! Happy Homeschooling.

6 Reasons Why It’s Important To Encourage Multi-Age Play

Children are naturally curious and sociable beings. They love to explore, learn and play with others. As a parent, you want the best for your child; you want them to be happy, healthy, and well-adjusted. However, when it comes to playtime, parents may be hesitant to let their children play with kids of all ages. This is understandable for several reasons, one being that parents may want to ensure their children’s safety. However, there in fact several known benefits of encouraging children to play with peers of various ages. Encouraging your children to play with kids of all ages has a positive impact on their social emotional development. In this blog, we will discuss the 6 reasons why it’s important to encourage multi-age play.

It’s Important to Encourage Multi-Age Play; It Sets Children Up Both Personally and Professionally

Here Is A List Of Our 6 Reasons Why It’s Important To Encourage Multi-Age Play:

Playing Across Ages Builds Empathy and Understanding

When you follow these 6 reasons why it’s important to encourage multi-age play, you can help children learn to empathize with others and understand different perspectives. Playing with kids of all ages can help your child develop empathy. By interacting with others who are different from them, children learn to understand and appreciate different perspectives and experiences. This can help them become more compassionate and understanding individuals. Also, while playing with kids of all ages, children see their metaphorical journey reflected in the overall group. They see what lies ahead of them, as well as what they’ve already gone through. This helps build empathy for others, regardless for others, no matter their age or abilities.

6 reasons why it's important to encourage multi-age play

Inter-Age Play Develops Social Skills

Playing with peers of all ages can help develop important social skills. Younger children can learn how to communicate with older children, while older children can practice leadership and communication skills when playing with younger children. Children of different ages also have varying levels of physical and cognitive abilities, which can challenge children to adapt their play style and collaborate with their peers. Children are challenged to design games and cooperate in ways that meet a wider range of needs and skill levels. Younger children learn from older children’s experiences, and older children learn to be patient and nurturing toward their younger peers.

This interaction can foster a sense of community and belonging in children and create a more accepting and inclusive environment. Additionally, when children play with kids of different ages, they learn how to interact with others who have different needs, interests, and abilities. 6 reasons you should encourage multi-age play helps them develop important social skills such as communication, cooperation, empathy, and respect. Playing with older children can also expose younger children to more advanced language and social skills that they can learn from and develop.

6 reasons why it's important to encourage multi-age play

Cross-Age Play Encourages Creativity and Imagination

    When kids play with others of different ages, they are exposed to more diversity. This means that children of different needs, skills, and interests are included. This exposure encourages more complex conversations, problem-solving and critical thinking. Playing with peers of different ages can encourage children to use their imagination and creativity in new ways. When children play with peers of different ages, they are exposed to new perspectives, ideas, and experiences. This can inspire them to think differently and develop new, innovative ways of playing and problem-solving. Older children can introduce younger children to new games and activities that they may not have thought of before. While younger children can bring new perspectives and ideas to playtime. This interaction can inspire children to think outside of the box and explore their creative sides.

    6 reasons why it's important to encourage multi-age play

    Boosts Confidence and Self-Esteem

    Having meaningful interactions with kids of all ages can help boost a child’s confidence and self-esteem. Younger children look up to older role models and develop a sense of confidence from keeping up with older peers. Interacting with older children challenges younger children, which encourages them to push themselves to do better.  Therefore also encouraging younger children to scaffold their learning and challenge themselves in both their cognitive and physical development. Older children will feel pride and accomplishment when they teach younger children new skills. This skill transfer will help younger children to succeed in play. Similarly, younger children look up to older children. In this instance, they rely on them for guidance and support, which can make them feel important and valued. 

    Encouraging Multi-Age Play and Interaction Can Inspire Kids To Problem Solve And Create Innovative Ways To Play

    Promotes Positive Behavior

    When children play with kids of all ages they are exposed to a range of behaviours; helping them to learn what is acceptable and what is not. Older children can model positive behaviours and attitudes for younger children, who can then learn from these examples. 6 reasons why it’s important to encourage multi-age play can help to promote positive behaviour in your children. It can also discourage negative behaviours, such as bullying and exclusion.

    The presence of younger children allows older children the opportunity to learn about caregiving and leadership roles. This practice of caregiving can also lead older children to take responsibility for more vulnerable members of the group. Moreover, playing with kids of different ages can help your child build friendships with a much wider range of people. This can be especially helpful if your child has trouble making friends their own age. By playing with kids of different ages, they may find kindred spirits who share similar interests, values, or hobbies.

    6 reasons why it's important to encourage multi-age play

    Multi-Age Play Prepares Better Children for the Real World:

    Finally, 6 reasons why it’s important to encourage multi-age play can impact your child’s future. Playing with kids of all ages will help your child prepare for the real world. When playing and interacting with others of diverse ages, all children are able to experiment. In these groupings, children have space to take on various roles. They can experiment with hierarchies, power dynamics, leadership roles, and group rules in a way that reflects real life. In real life people of all ages interact with each other in a variety of contexts. Therefore, having the ability to communicate and collaborate with people of all ages is a valuable learning opportunity for children. They have the space to prepare for their future personal and professional life without adult consequences.

    6 reasons why it's important to encourage multi-age play

    6 Reasons Why It’s Important To Encourage Multi-Age Play; It Sets Children Up For Life

    In Conclusion;

    There are many benefits that can be seen from our 6 reasons why it’s important to encourage multi-age play.  Making space for children to play with peers of different ages has a positive impact on their socio-emotional development. In doing so, they develop important social skills, build self-confidence, foster creativity and imagination, encourage empathy, build friendships, foster confidence and self-esteem, promote positive behaviour and finally help to prepare them for the real world. 

    As parents, knowing that this type of mixed-age interaction is crucial for your child’s socio-emotional development; it is, therefore, essential for us to intentionally create opportunities for our children to interact with peers of all ages, whether it’s through playdates, community events, family gatherings or extracurricular activities. By doing so, we can help our children develop important socio-emotional skills that will benefit them throughout their whole lives and can help you to set them up for future personal and professional successes. So, the next time you’re arranging a playdate, consider inviting a child of a different age group and watch your child’s development soar!

    We hope you enjoyed reading about the 6 reasons why it’s important to encourage multi-age play. If you would like to read more helpful articles about child development or homeschooling please visit our Blog

                            

    No More Math Meltdowns: How To Add Real-World Context And Teach Math In A Creative Way

    By Chelsea McLeod 

    Math is one of the more challenging subjects in school, and it can be difficult for students to see how the concepts they’re learning will be helpful in the real world. Math is more meaningful and engaging for students when we teach real-world applications. By making connections between math and the world around us, we can help our children understand the relevance of their learning. While also seeing how it will benefit them in the future, demonstrating real-world math. In this blog, No More Math Meltdowns: How To Add Real-World Context And Teach Math In A Creative Way we will discuss some fantastic ways to help your math lessons become more relevant to your child’s life.

    Math is all around us, making it vital to Add Real-World Context to your child’s education and Teach Math in a Creative Way.

    Unfortunately, many students struggle with math, and it can be challenging to understand why. So frustration and meltdowns can be a very real part of your homeschool day. Many children struggle with math because they do not see it applied in the real world. They can solve a mathematical equation, but do not understand why it matters or how it might come up in their daily lives. So, therefore, why should they care about it or want to learn it? Math is a fundamental skill for students to learn. It is everywhere, in our everyday life, and as such, it is crucial that children develop a strong understanding. So by reading this blog; No More Math Meltdowns: How To Add Real-World Context And Teach Math In A Creative Way, you will find some practical strategies to help overcome this.

    To help children better understand math, it is vital to Add Real-World Context and show them how math applies to everyday situations. Connecting math concepts to everyday situations can help your child understand why math is important and give them a better chance of mastering the subject. So say goodbye to your homeschool math struggles with No More Math Meltdowns: How To Add Real-World Context And Teach Math In A Creative Way and make Math a subject you and your child both look forward to again.

    No More Math Meltdowns: How To Add Real-World Context And Teach Math In A Creative Way

    Does No More Math Meltdowns: How To Add Real-World Context And Teach Math In A Creative Way sound like a dream? Here are a few tips to help you make this a reality:

    • Get Visual
      • One of the best ways to help your child understand math is to use visual aids. There are a variety of ways in which you can do this, such as using pictures, models, or diagrams. Visual aids can also help your child understand the concepts they are learning by giving them a better understanding of how to apply these concepts in the real world.
      • If your child is learning how to calculate the area of a triangle, you can use a diagram of a triangle to help them visualize the concept. This can make it easier for them to understand and apply the idea to real-world problems.
    • Use Everyday Examples
      • When teaching math concepts to children, it is vital to provide real-world math examples to help them understand the concept. When teaching about addition, ask your child to help you figure out the cost of groceries at the store.
      • It can also be helpful to provide your child with everyday examples of how to use math concepts. If they are learning how to calculate the volume of a cylinder, show them that a can of soda is a cylinder. Then you can model how to determine the volume of the soda can.
      • By providing your child with examples of how to use math in everyday life, you can help them understand why it’s important and how to apply it to certain situations.
    • Give Examples from Your Own Life
      • You can also give your child examples of how you use math in your own life. For instance; if you’re calculating the cost of groceries, explain how you’re using math. Discuss how much money you’ll need and why. This will give your child a chance to see firsthand how to use math in the real world.
      • Giving your child examples from your own life can help them better understand why math is important. It will also give them a glimpse into how to use math in everyday situations. This will make it easier for them to make connections. It will also help them to feel that the math they are learning is relevant.
    • Allow Your Child to Practice
      • Have your child practice math problems in real-world settings. Give time to practice counting money when they go to the store or making change when they buy something.
      • Help your child make connections between math and everyday activities. For example, measure the ingredients together when baking and explain the importance of exact measurements.
    • Ask Questions & Talk About Math
      • Ask your child questions related to math problems they may encounter in life. Why not ask them to figure out how much change they should receive when making a purchase?
      • Have conversations with your child about the math they learn in school.
      • Take your child to places where they use math. Go to a bank, a grocery store, or a construction site for example and explain they use math at these places.
    • Play Math Games
      • Playing math games is another great way to help your child understand how we use math in the real world. Various math games are available, such as board games, card games, and online games. These games help your child more clearly see how we use math in everyday life and how it can be fun.
      • By playing math games, your child can learn math concepts in a fun and engaging way.
      • When you implement tips from this list, your child will develop a much clearer understanding of how to use math in the real world. As well, it can give them a better chance of mastering the subject. By providing real-world examples, you can help your child understand what they learn.
    • Use Technology & Encourage Problem-Solving
      • Use technology such as apps and websites to help your child learn math in a fun and interactive way.
      •  Allow your child to explore different methods of solving math problems. Encourage them to think about other solutions and work through the problem. Involving your child in real-world problem-solving can help them understand the practical applications of math. Encouraging children to think critically and find solutions to real-world problems will help them see why and why math is important. It will also lead them to develop a greater appreciation for what they’re learning, and how to use it in their lives.
    No More Math Meltdowns: How To Add Real-World Context And Teach Math In A Creative Way

    Keep It Fun; Add Real-World Context to math and enjoy your school days with No More Math Meltdowns

    As you may have seen, Math is dull and uninspiring if not put into a real-world context. Many parents struggle to help their children understand the relevance of the math they are learning in school. But don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to make math more meaningful for your child. By adding context to what your child is learning, you can help make math more meaningful and enjoyable. Implementing these suggestions is a surefire way to help your child understand math much better. Take from our list and add the fun back into math!

    Add Real-World Context And Teach Math In A Creative Way to Help Students Develop An Appreciation for Math

    Add Real-World Context And Teach Math In A Creative Way to Help Students Develop An Appreciation for Math

    In conclusion;

    We hope you enjoyed No More Math Meltdowns: How To Add Real-World Context And Teach Math In A Creative Way. Clearly understanding how to add real-world context to math will make it more engaging and meaningful for students. By connecting math to everyday activities; we can help our children understand its relevance. We can also help them see how Math will benefit them in the future. These suggestions will help your child develop an appreciation for the value of math. As a result, they will be more motivated to learn and better equipped to succeed. Give it a try and see how it helps your child’s math skills! We hope yours is a future of No More Math Meltdowns!

    Thank you for reading No More Math Meltdowns: How To Add Real-World Context And Teach Math In A Creative Way. We hope that you have learned some real strategies to use in your homeschool day. Hopefully, this will help you make Math enjoyable again for both you and your child. Have you checked out Schoolio Learning’s vast library of math materials? Keep learning fun by diving into Schoolio Math!

    My Schoolio. ?

    Each day is a new opportunity to reach new parents and engage parents and students using our ebooks or digital platform to ensure we provide the highest quality educational content and support resources.

    While most days we are naturally excited to work and hustle, some days, the journey up the mountain feels unusually exhausting. After three years of climbing up our mountain, some days, we feel like we are only a few meters off the ground. Welcome to startup life, eh?

    By design, startups are the most complex projects to embark on; even though this is my fourth venture, nothing is familiar except for my muscle memory in leadership that helps me navigate challenging days.

    I was asking myself, “how can I feel more connected to our parents and how I feel more connected to our mission?”

    One idea is to share more – to share our journey up this ‘education mountain. Every day, as we climb, we meet other incredible parents, students and educators climbing their version of this mountain. Sometimes we pause and chat – via our FB account or concierge’s line; sometimes, we look at each other from a distance – through our social media engagements, and occasionally we wave at each other with our LIKES, SHARES or REPOSTS.

    I hope to write more and use our blog to share our perspective with you, our customers. We want to be more than a logo on a page – or words in a chat bubble or voices you hear on our podcasts. We are more than that – we are parents just like you, our customers, entrepreneurs like some of our customers, and educators like the many teachers who use our products. We share a common vision for how education MUST evolve to meet the needs of our children – in a digital world. We can’t unsee the inequalities that simmer beneath the surface of seemingly democratic education ecosystems. As tricky as it might seem, we can’t prepare children for a future that none of us can predict without a new model. With the rapid (and unprecedented) evolution in AI, growth in the gig economy, globalization, and access to information like never before – we have to rethink our approach to education. NOW.

    In the past three years, our small two-person team has grown into a culture of 20+.

    That’s a ton of people to align as we try to move up our mountain – together, in harmony – and at a pace that fits our purpose. We know we will stumble, some of us will lose our foothold and fall back a bit, some of us will carry more significant weight and ever so often, we will have to stop and camp as we pivot and refocus. No matter how hard the climb becomes, I am confident we’ll fight to carry each other and our trusting customers forward with us.

    We are at one of those moments again – a new version of our digital product, the one we have been waiting for, is finally ready in a few weeks. Now we can help our parents and educators with auto-grading, videos that support neurodiverse learners, social and emotional student check-ins and an easy-to-track dashboard for parents. This is a long-awaited update to Schoolio and exactly the excitement we need for 2023.

    We have always been proud of the flexibility Schoolio offers parents who homeschool – and starting soon, any student can enroll in our virtual school – with a dedicated educator!

    There are also many stories that we can share – that we want to share with our community. While each story has a unique perspective, we are all united in a mission to help EVERY child find their unique and unlimited potential.

    We hope to see you on the way up ⛰,

    Sathish Bala, CEO, Founder

    The Future of Education: An Immersive Learning Environment.

    The Future of Education: What Will Learning Look Like in an Immersive Learning Environment?

    This month, Schoolio will launch its Winter Wonderland immersive learning world, which has been much anticipated after the debut of Dino World in the summer. We’re so excited to share it with our customer base of parents and kids so you can learn about the future of education: An immersive learning environment. 

    The future of education: What is immersive learning?

    If you’re a parent who is not really into the tech-innovation scene, you may wonder- what is an “immersive learning experience”? An immersive learning experience takes users into a 3D virtual world- well beyond the 2D video experience of platforms like YouTube that use passive observance. In an immersive 3D world, the user has an avatar representing them and moving around in the environment. If you have kids who like to play video games, you’re probably familiar with this type of environment- Minecraft, Roblox, and Fortnite are all 3D immersive environments. Picture an immersive, active, social, 3D environment like Roblox, only the places your kid visits are curated, safe, and educational. Are you getting excited?

    Children are bored with the classroom.

    As a parent to two gamer children and a teacher in the K-8 grades, I can immediately see and appreciate the massive potential of immersive learning environments for kids and education- and I’m sure you can too! It’s no secret that kids are chronically bored in classrooms; it’s a fact. We know this when we have to force our children out the door each morning or when our children fake stomach aches to avoid the classroom. Also, when we find movies and tv shows with characters who lie, cheat, and sneak around to “escape,” the dredge of the school day is relatable. And when our kids get home at the end of the day, where do they want to go? Straight to their video games!

    The benefits of an immersive learning environment are numerous, and the potential is infinite. 

    Imagine the variety of topics, classes, and experiences that can be brought to life for our kids- allowing them to explore their interests and passions in a safe and fun space. Teachers and experts can be drawn from anywhere in the world to bring the best of the best content to students. Learning options will no longer be limited by geography or socioeconomic status. Imagine walking your avatar through a 3D rendition of the Louvre or the Museum of Natural History- you could take a virtual field trip to literally anywhere!

    The future of education: Immersive learning style.

    In addition to the multitude of options for course topics, field trips, and worldwide access to experts, the actual learning style in an immersive learning environment opens yet more doors to our children. Suddenly, children are not sitting and observing, like in a classroom, virtual school, or even learning through a platform like YouTube. Now they are a part of the experience. They are there. Their avatars can move around, touch, and build within the space. Tactile, hands-on experiences can be replicated, and children can learn and play with new tools. Not only is it safe (6-year-olds want to fiddle with a power saw? Let them have a go in a virtual, 3D environment where all their fingers will stay intact!), but it’s a better way to learn.

    Project-based learning, where students learn through completing a project that shows the relevance and real-world application of knowledge, is preferred by teachers but challenging to implement within the constraints of a 1:30 classroom with limited resources. With an immersive learning environment, the options for creating these project-based learning experiences are limited only by the imagination. “Tell me, and I forget, teach me, and I may remember, involve me, and I learn.” is a famous Benjamin Franklin quote about the value of participatory learning. With a 3D immersive environment, every student can be a full participant in their own learning experiences- even if they are one of 30 in a typical American classroom, or they are in a remote Northern community, or they are in an impoverished part of Africa. The doors are open to every student.

    The future of education: Immersive learning meets each student’s needs.

    It doesn’t stop at customizing the learning style in an immersive environment- each student’s needs can be met exactly where they are by allowing each child to work at the exact level they need. In an immersive learning environment, a student “behind” their grade level can work at the level they need, with complete privacy from their peers around them. Challenges, projects, and independent work can all be tailored to each child to experience in the best way for them alone.

    Another winning aspect of the immersive learning environment model of education is the social experience- often a criticized point of online or at-home learning. In a vast 3D virtual world, kids can choose who they interact with and how often. Voice and video chat allows kids to meet new friends, unrestricted by geographical boundaries. Students can make friends based on like interests rather than the year of birth- and the collaboration options and experiences are endless. Have you ever overheard your child coordinating with teammates in a video game? Imagine coordinating to solve a critical thinking puzzle, design a robot, or build a virtual bridge. Children can also choose the level of socializing they want to participate in, so your introverted kid who values their quiet time isn’t inundated and overwhelmed by a noisy classroom all day, and your energetic extrovert can choose to interact with new people every single day. 

    The future of education: is it safe?

    Now I know a lot of parents worry about the safety of these open-chat worlds, and that is a valid concern when the game itself doesn’t have many checks or securities in place (I’m looking at you, Roblox) but rest assured that the technology exists to protect our children in an immersive learning environment, we need to choose to implement it.

    The Schoolio immersive learning environment gives parents and teachers options to restrict who their children interact with. Known friends only? Their age range? Language censoring? It’s up to you! In addition, let me introduce you to S.A.I., the Schoolio Artificial Intelligence technology that will act as each child’s assistant, protector, tutor, and friend. S.A.I. monitors chat interactions, can spot cyberbullying and inappropriate language, and even detect a change in mood in your child, alerting you to any potential problems your kids may be having. 

    Schoolio Artificial Intelligence Technology will learn with your student.

    Not only will S.A.I monitor social interactions in the immersive learning environment, but S.A.I. will learn with your child. While your child learns fractions, adverbs, and pond life, S.A.I. will learn about how they learn: What activity types create the best retention for them? What time of day is best for math or science? When are they tired and lagging; when are they energized and curious? What are your child’s passions, interests, and natural competencies and skills?

    What are their areas of strength and weakness? All this data S.A.I. collects helps the immersive learning environment be tailored closer to your child’s uniqueness. Plus, with the Schoolio immersive learning environment, we care about more than grades and academics. We want to know how your child feels while they learn.

    Essential knowledge to educate children effectively.

    Emotional and mental wellness, as well as noting potential learning disabilities and neurodivergence, are essential knowledge to educate children effectively. Are they always anxious before math? Let’s recommend mindfulness and grounding activity before we begin. Are they feeling inspired by their current science project? Let’s see what other projects and courses are available for them to explore in that same topic area. Are they frustrated and wanting to quit during their building project? Let’s pause with a relaxation moment and a motivational quote and refocus before getting back at it. S.A.I. will also report to parents and teachers about how your child is doing overall, as a complete human, not just as an empty vessel filled with academic knowledge. 

    Speaking of parents and teachers, do you wish you could collaborate more easily with all the educators and experts in your child’s ecosystem? Especially with our unique needs, kiddos, there can be many people throwing exercises, schedules, and tips at us that we need to coordinate into our child’s lives. With the Schoolio immersive learning environment, all the adults in a child’s life can collaborate and coordinate as a team. The teacher can add homework, the tutor can add practice work, the speech pathologist can add exercises, the sports coach can add drills to run at home, and the scout leader can add badge criteria notes- all with scheduling and calendaring options to keep it all organized in one place, and with S.A.I. by your child’s side to help them with time management and organization, so they are never overwhelmed. 

    Immersive learning experiences aren’t coming; they’re here!

    An immersive learning experience is the natural progression of technology into the realm of education. It is not “on the horizon”; it is here! The current education model hasn’t been updated since its inception during the Industrial Revolution; frankly, it’s time. Our kids are already playing (and learning!) in the immersive environment. It’s time to take it to the next level and use our technological innovations in our kid’s best interests to guide, educate, and assess in a modern way that prepares them for the real, tech-filled future that is bearing down on them. Imagine a universe as infinite as human imagination and your child’s ability to learn, play, and socialize wherever their dreams and passions may take them. That is what learning in the immersive, digital world will look like.

    Click Here to Check out Schoolio Digital.

    Learn about building stronger parent-child connections through digital learning. 

    How to Navigate and Annotate Schoolio Digital Lessons

    How to Navigate and Annotate Schoolio Digital Lessons

    We are so excited that you are trying out the Schoolio Digital Platform. If you haven’t already, check out all the informative blogs about how to get started. This blog will cover one of the most fascinating parts of the Schoolio Digital Platform! Let’s learn how to navigate and annotate Schoolio Digital Lessons!

    Are you ready to Navigate Schoolio Digital Lessons?

    Step 1: Select the Unit

    Select the unit

    Once you’ve selected the course you want to check out, you can select the unit by clicking on it. For example, in the photo above, you would select ‘The Local Community’.

    Step 2: Select the lessons

    select the lesson

    You will now see the different lessons available. At the top, on the parent portal, you will see the answer key that you can use to check your student’s work. When you’re ready, you can click the play button on the lesson.

    Step 3: View the lesson

    The Schoolio Video Lesson

    Now you can enjoy the video lesson by pressing ‘play’ on the video.

    Step 4: Lesson Assessment

    When the video has been completed, you can scroll past the video to the lesson assessment. Now you can click ‘Launch’ and go through the lesson assessment.

    Step 5: Worksheet and Lesson Sheet

    Worksheet

    After completing the lesson assessment, you can scroll down to find ‘Lesson 1’ and ‘Worksheet 1’. Lesson 1 is the core lesson that comes with the Schoolio Curriculum. You can use lesson one to discuss the lesson concept further with your child. This is optional because everything in the lesson is included in the video lesson. Worksheet 1 is not optional, so you will need to click on the four-pointing arrows on the right side of the screen to open the worksheet.

    Step 6: Complete the worksheet

    Complete the worksheet

    You can now navigate through the worksheet. There are two options to complete the worksheet. Using the annotation feature, you can do it on a tablet, iPad or computer. Or you can print the lesson and have your child complete their worksheet pencil to paper. To annotate, click on the T or Pencil icon at the top of the worksheet. Then use either the typing tool or drawing tool to complete the lesson. Make sure to Save your progress.

    If you’d prefer your child to complete the worksheet with paper and a pencil. You can click the arrow pointing down on the right side of the screen. Download the worksheet to your device and print it. You can use the answer key to view your child’s responses and match them with the answer key.

    Need further assistance?

    Please let us know if you need further assistance understanding how to navigate the lessons.
    Click here to book a Concierge Call. 

    Watch this quick video about navigating the lessons.

    Check out this thorough explanation video about all about how to navigate and annotate Schoolio Digital lessons.

    How to Navigate & Annotate on Lessons.

    If you have further questions, feel free to reach out to us! We’re always here to help.

    Running Records: How to Assess Your Child’s Reading Level

    Running Records: How to Assess Your Child’s Reading Level

    By Chelsea McLeod

    Reading is a fundamental skill; it is an essential building block that supports all other types of learning. If reading is not developed, a child will struggle with other things in their schooling experience, which is just as crucial in a homeschool environment as in a traditional one. Therefore, while we all know that teaching our children to read is vital to their proper development and learning, it can be overwhelming to dive into and assess.

    Running Records: Assess reading

     

    Determining reading level is an integral part of the learning journey. Your learner should be reading differently levelled books depending on what situation they find themselves in. When reading on their own, they should be reading at an independent level, but when reading with you and learning, they should be reading at an instructional level.  An excellent tool used to assess reading levels is called a Running Record. This type of assessment can give a lot of information about your child’s reading skills; a running record can provide a whole picture of your child’s reading, what level they are reading at and how to move forward in teaching them. 

    What is A Running Record?

    A running record is a great tool to assess your learner as a reader. It is a snapshot of their reading. A running record evaluates a student’s word identification skills and fluency level. These are essential pieces of the puzzle of building strong, confident readers. Completing a running record involves writing down everything happening in the order it happens. Limiting the amount of editing you do as an observer as you record is essential. The idea is to record as much as possible so that you can gather a lot of information in a relatively short period and perform this type of assessment without much prep time. 

    Choosing a Passage 

    When completing a running record, ideally, both the observer/teacher and the learner/student view a copy of a passage. Also, because this is a tool often used for assessment purposes, the passage being read should be new to the student. When ready, the student reads his/her passage out loud; the instructor records any errors on their copy.  It is also important to time the student for one minute to measure reading fluency, and finally, the instructor calculates reading accuracy. If your learner/reader can read a section from a book of choice with an accuracy between 90-95%, then that passage would be a great choice to use for a running record.

    To calculate accuracy, you will need to have them read 50-100 words from the text. Then count their errors as they read. Finally, subtract the number of mistakes they made from the total number of words in the passage. When you have this total, you divide this number by the total number of words. For example, if the passage has a total of 50 words and they made five errors, 45 words are correct (50 – 5 = 45). Then, 45 divided by 50 times 100 (45/50 = 0.9 x 100 = 90) is 90. Therefore, the reading accuracy is 90%. 

    Running record

     

    How Running Records Can Help Guide Instruction

    Running records can give you real-time insight into your learner’s strengths and struggles, which can help point you to what they need to work on. The information gathered from this type of assessment can be used to determine if your current reading instruction methods are effective concerning word identification and fluency; if the time spent on reading instruction in your homeschool day is enough, and finally, if any other areas require further assessment or if more focused intervention is necessary. Therefore once completed, you should be able to create a more well-rounded picture of what you are doing well, what needs more attention and how to proceed during your reading instruction time.


    How To Complete A Running Record

    First, you need to sit down with your learner, and you both need to have a copy of the passage to be read. You can use a typed copy on white paper or get free templates for this purpose, like this one. Second, since a running record is not a standardized assessment, you can mark the information in any way that makes sense. 

     

    Here are examples of some of the common coding that you can use:

    • Incorrect word or mispronunciation – write the word said above the printed word
    • Inserted word – draw an arrow where the word was inserted and write in the word inserted above
    • Omitted word -draw a line through the skipped word
    • Self-corrected word – write the word said above the printed word and write SC over it. Or I place a slash mark after the word and SC beside that. 
    • Repetitions – underline the word or phrase that was repeated however many times it was repeated.

    Finally, some of us like to check off each word that is read correctly. Some of us have an easier time following along and being present when doing this during the assessment. Also, be sure to time the passage and include a mark after 1 minute of reading. You can use a slash mark or a straight line after the last word read at one minute. This will provide the student’s fluency rate when you are completing your final calculations.

     

    How to Calculate and Assess

    When counting errors, it is common practice that mispronunciations, repetitions, and self-corrections are not included in the error count. Repeated errors are calculated as follows; for example, if the child always says “to” every time they come to the word “the” in the passage, this is only counted as a single error. When you have all the mistakes tallied up, you will calculate the reader’s Accuracy (Please see above).

    Once you have an Accuracy percentage, you can calculate the fluency rate. Look at where you marked the passage after the 1-minute timer, then count all the words that were read before this mark. For example, if there were 100 words before this mark, the student reads 100 words per minute. Reading comprehension is also essential to reading skills but is assessed separately. 


    Running Record: Assess

    Deciphering the Final Results 

    Now that you have your reader’s accuracy, you can determine their reading level. As stated during the opening of this piece, a learner must be reading at an independent level when they are reading alone. This is a book at a level they can read with 95% accuracy and above. This is because they need to read fluently (without interruptions) and with minimal word decoding to clearly understand the text and comprehend the message they are reading.

    If there are too many misunderstood words, they may not get the intended meaning when they are reading with you, during the homeschool day or whenever they can read a more challenging text that falls into the Instructional level. This is usually a text they can read with 90-94% accuracy. This is because they now have the added benefit of reading with a partner who can fill in the missing pieces or answer the questions that come up when they do not know all the words they are coming across. If a book or text falls under 90% accuracy for your learner, it is too complicated and should be set aside until they are better prepared to read it. 

    Lastly, once you have determined your child’s reading level, you can better cater your teaching to their needs. You can also look at the marks you made on the running record to determine if there are any patterns to their mistakes. For example, if they are continually having trouble with double consonants or the long o sound. You can use this data to inform your next steps during your teaching day. Hopefully, this has been informative, and you feel better prepared to assess your learner. Happy Reading!

     

    Book a Concierge Call.

    If you aren’t sure how to get started or what programs would best suit your child’s learning needs, then you can chat with one of our experts on a one-on-one Concierge Call, completely free!
    Click here to book a Concierge Call. 



     

    Does Your Student Hate Writing?

    Does Your Student Hate Writing?: 

    Tips and Tricks to Make It Easier

    By: Chelsea McLeod

    Hate writing?

    Has your writing time become the bane of your existence, the most challenging part of your homeschooling routine? Is your kid miserable when It comes time to practice writing? Are they pushing back, getting easily frustrated, complaining, avoiding and completely shutting down and refusing to do it? 

    At Schoolio, we get it; writing can be tricky even for adults. Many of us don’t practice it regularly.  Unless the writing is work-related, it’s not something we would sit down and do in our spare time. So while we all understand that it is an essential skill that we all need to learn and practice often, it is also crucial to keep it fun, light and engaging if we want our kids to practice it without a fight. 

    Writing Doesn’t Have to Be Boring! Keep it Kid-Friendly.

    Just like with anything else, kids need us to change things up. Do you like it when things are always the same at work? While routine is essential, and our days should be structured similarly in the homeschool environment, adding different activities and trying new things is essential. So here are some kid-friendly ideas to keep your student guessing and having fun while doing something they don’t particularly like: Writing. With any luck, doing some of these activities might make them forget about their dislike for a while!

    Kid Friendly Writing

    Have You Tried to Have Them…

    1. Write what they want to write about

      • Practice makes perfect, right? So what better way to influence your student to want to practice than writing about whatever they want? What we are trying to encourage here is to get them writing. It doesn’t matter what it’s about or why they want to write it, just that they are writing and therefore practicing a critical skill. They can write a letter to a friend, a diary or a journal entry, a story, a description of a game they created, etc. You get the idea; the sky’s the limit, and they will want to practice more because they aren’t being told what to do and how to do it.  

    2. Write a step-by-step instructions piece, and you do what they write about… This is hilarious and very informative on missing steps rather than you harping on it.

    • Speaking of being told what to do, your student could write a step-by-step instructional guide on a topic of their choice or one you give them but keep it fun. For example, “How To….” Make a Peanut Butter and Jam Sandwich, as seen in this video. The kids have written the instructions, and the Dad follows them to the letter.  (TW, you will have to gauge your learners here, this may not be an excellent option for students who are easily frustrated or discouraged because it will be wrong several times before it is done correctly.)
    • The key here is first to have your students write uninterrupted with no interference from you. Then you try to follow their instructions exactly as they wrote them. This is not only fun but also an “experiential learning opportunity” for them. Watching you complete their step-by-step, they can see in a funny way where they missed an instruction (or 3). In this way, they will learn that they need to be more detailed in their writing and have fun watching you perform a silly task. They might not even remember their writing because they will have a great time!

    3. Write an alternative ending to their favourite book.

    • Again, writing doesn’t have to be boring.  It doesn’t have to be a miserable part of anyone’s day, which can be highlighted by using their favourite stories as inspiration.  Reading is a fun way to use imagination, support, and develop writing skills.
      Listening to books activates the same part of the brain as reading them. Therefore if they don’t have a favourite that they have read yet, they can choose something you have read to them. Often our kids and we have books we wish ended a certain way or want them to continue because we love the characters and story so much. So why not use that to your advantage during your homeschooling day? 

    Creative writing

    • Having them choose a story they already enjoy and continue it the way their imagination leads them is an excellent way to promote longer writing. In this case, students will often write many more lines or pages than before because they aren’t worried about what you may think or what is correct. They are just following their imagination and writing for themselves. Maybe they will be so engrossed in this task that they will end it in such a way that they can write their very own sequel too!

    Having fun is the easiest way to engage your student.

    Sometimes planning and preparing for the homeschooling day can get overwhelming. You want to make sure you cover all required, touching on necessary topics and subjects, all while you fill the day with skill practice to ensure your student isn’t falling behind their peers. And while it is crucial your child learns the necessary skills and required curriculum to help them out in the world when they grow up, it is also important to remember that kids also learn while they play.

    They often learn best by doing or playing through scenarios they live in, which is also something they could write about! Having fun is often the easiest and best way to engage their brains, and Writing is no different. We hope that this list has been informative and will help you move forward in planning your homeschooling time. School can be fun, and it doesn’t take complicated projects with many supplies to achieve—just some good, old-fashioned paper and a pencil, coupled with creativity and an open mind.

    Book a Concierge Call.

    If you aren’t sure how to get started or what programs would best suit your child’s learning needs, then you can chat with one of our experts on a one-on-one Concierge Call, completely free!
    Click here to book a Concierge Call. 

    Downloading and Printing from the Schoolio Digital Platform

    Are you new to the Schoolio Digital Platform? Using the Schoolio digital platform might overwhelm you, and learning a new digital system can be confusing! That’s why we are here to help guide you through every step on the Schoolio Digital platform so that you and your student will be successful while bringing fun back into learning. Let’s learn about downloading and printing from the Schoolio Digital Platform. 

    This blog will cover a basic concept about using the Schoolio digital platform; downloading and printing from the Schoolio Digital Platform is much easier than you’d think, so let’s dive in!

    Downloading and Printing from the Schoolio Digital Platform.

    Now that you have successfully added a student to your portal added courses to your students portal, and added courses to your planner, you can take your next step: downloading and printing from the Schoolio Digital Platform. You don’t have to download and print the pdfs that come with your video lessons, as you can annotate directly on the platform; however, many people enjoy downloading and printing the worksheets so that their child can still get crucial hands-on writing skills.

    Step 1: Select your student

    Step 1: Select Your Student.

    If you have multiple children registered on your account, you will need to choose the student for which you are adding to the planner on the Schoolio Digital Platform. Click on the orange right-facing arrow of the student that you’d like to customize the planner for. 

    Step 4: Scroll Down

    Step 2: Scroll Down to see Your Child’s Courses.

    Once you have made it to your student’s portal, scroll down until you see your child’s courses.

    Step 3: Open the Course

    Step 3: Select the Course You’d like to Download from.

    Now that you have located your child’s courses, you can select the course you’d like to print from. Once you find the course you’d like to print from, click the green ‘open’ button underneath the course’s thumbnail.

    Step 4: Select the unit

    Step 4: Select the Unit.

    When you select the course you’d like to download and print lessons from; you will be taken directly to the course. Now, you can choose the unit you want to work with. Click on the unit that you’d like to work from. 

    Step 5: Select the lesson

    Step 5: Select the Lesson.

    When you have selected the unit, you will be taken to that units page which will list all the lessons available in the unit; choose the lesson you want to download and print from by clicking the orange arrow. 

    Step 6: Scroll down

    Step 6: Scroll to Below the Lesson Video.

    Now that you are on the lesson page scroll down below the lesson’s video.

    Step 7: Select PDF

    Step 7: Select the PDF 2 Worksheet.

    You will see two options at the bottom of the lesson’s video. PDF1 Lesson and PDF2 Worksheet. The lesson is the hard copy of the lesson that your child watched the video of. You can download this for further lesson study or discussion. For the worksheet, click the white arrow beside PDF2. 

    Step 8: Save PDF

    Step 8: Download the PDF to Your Device.

    Now that you have successfully opened the worksheet PDF, you can push the arrow at the top right-hand side of the worksheet that looks like an arrow pointing down towards a line.

    Step 9: Select OK

    Step 9: Select OK.

    Once you have pushed the arrow pointing down, it will tell you how many pdf downloads you have left for the week. Select the orange ‘OK’ button to continue. 

    Step 10: Check your downloads

    Step 10: Check Your Devices Downloads.

    After downloading the pdf worksheet, check your computer’s downloads. Most downloads can be shown on the browser or the finder. Once you have located the download on your device, click on it. 

    Step 11: Print your curriculum

    Step 11: Print your curriculum.

    Now that the worksheet PDF is on your computer, you can open it and select print. This may vary by which brand of computer you have. But all computers do or should have a printing option.

    Step 12: Get started!

    Now that you’re a pro at downloading and printing from the Schoolio Digital Platform, you are ready to start learning! Enjoy and have fun!

    If you are confused about how to schedule lessons for your child, we have got you covered. Click here to learn about scheduling on the Schoolio Digital Planner. 

    We hope you and your student will enjoy The Schoolio Digital Platform with over 4,000+ videos, interactives, and pre-made or custom lessons to suit your student’s learning style. If you are confused about how to get started, we are happy to help.

    Book a Concierge Call.

    If you aren’t sure how to get started or what programs would best suit your child’s learning needs, then you can chat with one of our experts on a one-on-one Concierge Call, completely free!
    Click here to book a Concierge Call. 

     

    Do you need more help downloading and printing from the Schoolio Digital Platform?

    Check out this thorough explanation video all about downloading and printing from the Schoolio Digital Platform.

    Click here for the video. 

    How to Schedule Lessons on the Schoolio Digital Platform

    How to Schedule Lessons on the Schoolio Digital Platform

    Now that you have successfully added a course for your student on the Schoolio Digital Platform, you are ready to customize your learning schedule. In this blog, we will learn how to schedule lessons on the Schoolio Digital Platform.

    There’s more than one way to add to your schedule on the Schoolio Digital Platform.

    Did you know there is more than one way to add courses and lessons to your child’s schedule on the Schoolio Digital Platform? Let’s walk through both the options.

    Option 1: Click Schedule on the Course or Unit

    Option 1: Schedule

    When you select the student you’d like to schedule, you can click ‘schedule’ at the bottom of the unit or course you want to add. Once you have selected the unit it will take you to the lessons page where you can schedule the course.

    Select the date and time

    You can now select the day and time you want your student to complete the lesson. Additionally, you will have the option to repeat the lesson plan with how you’d like. Then you are able to select the interval for 1 week, 2 weeks or more.

    Option 2: Schedule from the planner

    Calendar Overview

    Once on the Calendar overview, you can schedule a lesson by selecting the ‘schedule lesson’ button.

    Calendar Overview

    When you click ‘schedule lesson,’ you will see the menu to select the lesson that you’d like to add to the schedule. Select the course, unit and lesson, then select the day and time. You can either click ‘save’ and continue on or ‘save and new’ to add additional lessons to the planner.

    Now you can get started!

    Now that you have added a lesson to the planner, you are ready to start learning! Enjoy and have fun!

    If you aren’t seeing all the courses you’d like for your child, you can always add more! Click here to learn about adding a course to the Schoolio Digital Platform.

    We hope you and your student will enjoy The Schoolio Digital Platform with over 4,000+ videos, interactives, and pre-made or custom lessons to suit your student’s learning style. If you need clarification about how to get started, we are happy to help.

    Book a Concierge Call.

    If you need help with how to get started or what programs would best suit your child’s learning needs, then you can chat with one of our experts on a one-on-one Concierge Call, completely free!
    Click here to book a Concierge Call. 

    Do you need further information about how to schedule a lesson?

    Check out this thorough explanation video on adding to the planner on the Schoolio Digital Platform!

    https://youtu.be/v0hpiwRJwLU

    Click here for video.

    Adding a Course on the Schoolio Digital Platform

    Adding a Course on the Schoolio Digital Platform

    The Schoolio Digital Platform offers 4,000+ video lessons, worksheets, interactives, lesson quizzes, and more for a super affordable price. Covering all the core curriculum for grades one to eight. Now that you have signed up your student and subscribed to the Schoolio Digital Platform, you are reading to take the next step: Adding a course on the Schoolio Digital Platform. 

    Let’s Get Ready to Add a Course on the Schoolio Digital Platform! 

    Now that you have successfully subscribed to the Schoolio Digital Platform, you can take your next step: Add courses for your student on the platform. If you’ve already added your courses when registering your students, you can leave it how it is; however, if you’d like to customize the courses and add more, you can follow these steps.

    Step 1: Browse By Marketplace or Add a Custom Course 

    How to Add a Course on the Schoolio Digital Platform

    You’re almost ready to begin your homeschooling journey on Schoolio Digital. First, select courses for your child to get started. You can either Browse by Marketplace or Create a Custom Course. The marketplace is where you will find all the core curriculum for your child’s grade. Adding a customer course is something that you can do for electives. You can learn more by clicking on the highlighted ‘Custom Course’ in blue. 

    Step 2: Select the Courses or Units that You Need

    Step 2: Select the Courses or units

    You can select the courses or units you want based on your child’s learning needs and grades. Simply click ‘Add to Cart’ on the course that you are looking for.

    Step 3: Add Course

    Add Course

    Your third step will be to click ‘add’ on your shopping cart; you’ll notice that almost everything on the Schoolio Digital Platform is $0. This is because all core subjects are included on the Schoolio Digital Platform. When you see a price on a unit on the Schoolio Digital Platform, it is because it isn’t a core curriculum piece but rather an elective.

    Step 4: Get started!

    All curriculum bundles or units that you add will appear on your child’s lesson portal for you to assign for them.

    Book a Concierge Call.

    If you need help with how to get started or what programs would best suit your child’s learning needs, then you can chat with one of our experts on a one-on-one Concierge Call, completely free!
    Click here to book a Concierge Call. 

    Need a little more help with adding courses?

    Check out this thorough explanation video on adding a course on the Schoolio Digital Platform.

    https://youtu.be/cWikSVEjIGA
    Learn how to add a course

    Teaching Multi-Grades? Schoolio Can Help.

    Teaching Multi-Grades? Schoolio Can Give You Your Life Back.

    By Chelsea McLeod

    Teaching multiple grades

    Look familiar? Are you spending all your spare time doing prep that seems neverending to keep up? Are you overwhelmed with student needs and classroom outcomes? Are you struggling with teaching multi-grades?

    Let me paint you a picture. You teach in a rural area; your school is K-12, and each homeroom is multi-graded. Some grades only have 1 or 2 kids, so while you may only have a class of 8-10 students, you have four grades at once and hundreds of outcomes to cover and assess. So not only do you have to try to differentiate for student interest, but you also must plan, teach, assess and grade the outcomes from each separate curriculum.

    You teach several grades simultaneously, unlike your friends who work in nearby larger city centers,  but you are given equal prep time. Therefore, much of your work comes home because even if there isn’t time in the school day, these things need to get done. So once you are home, you are taking time away from your family or hobbies to keep up with your day-to-day classroom duties. If this rings true for you, then Schoolio can help give you your life back. 

    While many still consider teaching a calling, the shift in the last several years to an outcomes-based system has put more pressure on the Teacher. Teaching these days is an endless cycle of being in demand. You are lecturing, working one-on-one with students, meeting seemingly arbitrary administrative deadlines, attending meetings, responding to emails, communicating with parents, collaborating with co-teachers, etc.

    The list of responsibilities given to teachers in the classroom is unrealistic; these are on top of the duties of running the classroom day-to-day and keeping your students engaged. Then we add on the testing, assessments, marking, and report cards required for each student in your class, in many cases the stress of teaching multiple grades. This can be for as many as 25+ students. 

    Teaching is Work. Give Yourself Some Grace and Help. Especially when Teaching Multi-Grades.

    The expectation of Teachers does not create nor support a healthy work-life balance, but for many, it is the reality. 

    So you spend your days in a cycle that looks like a hamster in a wheel. Teaching all day, putting out fires with students, communicating with parents, meeting all deadlines for administration and keeping your head above water only to go home and spend your evening planning, prepping and working on tomorrow, like in the picture above. This is a lot; this is an astronomical task you take on as a classroom teacher. While these responsibilities are genuine for all classroom teachers, imagine that you have a multi-graded classroom.

    This not only changes the dynamic with the students but also adds to the Teacher’s workload. You now have all the above responsibilities and the added pressure of 2, 3, or 4 sets of outcomes. This is what it can be like if you are in a rural school, sometimes teaching 3 to 4 grades simultaneously. This was not always the case; several years ago, it was the norm to teach the curriculum in an even/odd schedule in many rural settings.

    Teaching multiple grades

    This meant that if you had a grade 3/4/5/6 class, you would teach all the curriculum for grades 4 & 6 one year and the next, you would cover the curriculum for grades 3 & 5. This was a seemingly more manageable way to approach a multi-grade classroom. However, in our current education climate, this is no longer an allowable approach by many school divisions, and therefore Teachers, especially those with 3-4 grades, are feeling overwhelmed and overworked. The expectation of Teachers does not create nor support a healthy work-life balance, but for many, it is the reality. And while this can seem like an unrealistic expectation, the students still need to learn at their appropriate level. So now what?

    Save Your Time, Money and Your Sanity

    For starters, if you teach in this situation, you must prioritize your time and prep. Not only for yourself but for your students as well because “you cannot pour from an empty cup,” and if we spend all of our free time on work, it will lead to burnout. I can tell you for sure that you do not need to spend time creating all of your resources; your time is precious, and there are only 24 hours in a day. Not everything your students do, learn or complete needs to be unique.

    There used to be a time when teaching was a “one-size-fits-all,” and all teachers were given the same guide. This is a time-consuming task for teachers with only 1 grade, but you have 3, 4 or even 5? You cannot be expected to use all your resources or put that much pressure on yourself, and relying on Teachers Pay Teachers for everything can get expensive, especially because sometimes it’s difficult to purchase only 1 or 2 lessons.

    For example, if you have grades 3, 4, and 5, it can get pretty pricey to purchase one entire unit for all three grades and if there are 10-12 units in a year for just one subject… You get the idea. An extra expense with each purchase. Way too much! Which is on top of the fact that teachers already spend more out of pocket than other professions. 

    How Schoolio Can Give You Your Life Back… 

    There is no limit to the number of students you can add, the courses you have access to or the learning that will take place!

    Schoolio has created resources for each grade level, and you can mix and match them to best support your student’s needs. You do not have to buy entire units for one or two valuable lessons. The lessons have been created by certified teachers and are available online for a monthly per-student cost.* You can simultaneously use more than one grade at a time, focussing on student needs, interests or passions.

    There is a suggested content planner for the year you can use, or you can create your own and keep track of progress for all your students. You can try it risk-free, with no required credit card and “Learn, plan, and personalize all in one place” with 4000+ interactive math, language, science, and social studies lessons. There is no limit to the number of students you can add, the courses you have access to or the learning that will take place! Try it now; you won’t regret it. And you won’t believe the extra free time you will have now that you aren’t trying to do it all yourself, especially when teaching multi-grades.