This fall my kids are going back to school 100% online. Instead of picking out new clothes and new school supplies, I’m picking out new furniture and organizational products for our in-home work spaces.

THE HOME SCHOOL HAUL

After completing my research (aka watching A LOT of teacher hosted YouTube channels and reading articles from homeschoolers) I landed on this shopping list:

• Dry Erase Board
• Book Shelf (I bought the 3 Shelf Bookcase From Room Essentials: $25)
• School Supplies Cart
• Book Bins
• Pencil Boxes
• Organizers
• Bulletin Board (These small cork boards are cute!)
• Dry Erase Pockets / Dry Erase Pens
• School supply list provided by the school (folders, notebooks, pencils, crayons)

ADD YOUR PERSONAL TOUCH

I went beyond the list and bought supplies that felt right for my family. This included metallic crayons and colored pencils, because my kids love anything metallic. Also, I purchased Multicultural Skin Tone Crayons (the best price is at Staples).

CREATING A SCHOLARLY SPACES

Next, assessing my space. Our family decided not to convert a bedroom into a classroom, instead we decided to implement functional updates to our common space. My two boys (incoming transitional kindergartner and first grader) are a bundle of energy and need some space to spread out. This minimalist shelf serves as a hub for our school books and activities (find it in the supply list above).

Also, their virtual schedule requires both kids to be online at the same time, in separate classrooms. Below is the proposed scheduled we received from the school.

Schedule	Kian (1st Grade)	Zayn (TK)
8:30 – 9 AM	Attendance, Morning Meetings, and Social Emotional Learning	Attendance, Morning Meetings, and Social Emotional Learning
9:00 – 10:30 AM	English/ Social Studies – Direct small group instruction and independent work	English/ Social Studies -Direct small group instruction and independent work
10:30 AM	Movement and Snack Break	Movement and Snack Break
10:45 AM	Math/Science	Math/Science
12:00 PM	Lunch	Lunch
12:30 PM	Independent Reading or Teacher Meeting	Independent Reading or Teacher Meeting
1:00 – 2:00 PM	Continue independent work	Continue independent work
2:00 – 3:00 PM	Culture: Music, Art, Nutrition/Garden, Counseling, PE	Culture: Music, Art, Nutrition/Garden, Counseling, PE

BREAKFAST TABLE WORKSPACE

The breakfast table from morning to lunch is a functional workspace for the kids. After school, I swap out the school supplies centerpiece for the floral centerpiece.

ISOLATION POD

Since I needed a second quiet space, I purchased versatile desk from Amazon. It is pricey at $129.99, but is height adjustable and can be used until they are old enough for a work desk.

MOMMY COMMAND STATION

So that I can work while the kids are in the classroom. I set up a standing desk in the dining room. Which is ear shot of all the action. This standing desk adapter worked out perfectly, it is a low cost alternative to buying a standing desk. Because let’s be honest here, my mornings are going to be spent jumping between marketing consultant, IT lady, and lunch lady.

INDEPENDENT WORK

Learning Resources Center

A great tip I learned from homeschooling parents, fill your home with education games. I personally love Learning Resources, it’s a great resource for educational games and puzzles to keep kids busy (and away from screens). A few games, activities popular in our home:

• Kanoodle Jr. (Amazon)
• Learning Resources Mental Blox Critical Thinking Game (Amazon)
• Learning Resources iTrax Critical Thinking Game (Amazon)

I hope this overview of my virtual classroom action plan was helpful!

Peace & Salam,

Natasha