Friday, 15 January 2021

This week my Word of the Week is: Learning! #WotW

This week my Word of the Week is:


I am worn out. Home learning is hard work not just for the kids but for me too. I am so glad it's Friday and almost the weekend. We are ready for a break. Our week has revolved around home learning and not much else.

I wrote earlier in the week how we are getting on with the home learning and was right in thinking that last week they were just easing us in gently. This week has been full on with Ellie doing Zoom calls, most days having 4 hour long lessons. We are both learning fast about how to use Zoom.

We did have a little bit of stress yesterday when the teachers decided they need to see everyone on camera. I think it's just to prove they are there but Ellie was having none of it. She was all set to put the laptop down and walk away. Ellie has grown in confidence over the last year or so but she is nowhere near as confident as some of the kids in her class. It's times like this when her social anxiety rears it's head. I emailed a teacher saying I would rather she didn't have the camera on and her engage in the lessons than be forced to have the camera on and go nowhere near the laptop. She knows Ellie and understood. A message is being sent to all of her teachers. Phew!

Ellie has been working hard and extra hard on her design and technology project. I finally learned how to use our scanner. lol Ellie had some art work to do on paper and scan so she could hand it in. My old laptop would never connect wirelessly to the printer/scanner so I never used to bother with it. Now that I can I think I will be scanning everything. hehehe

Yellow artwork

Ellie has also got the hang of using teams. We only started using it last Friday so there was some learning to do and it took us until Tuesday to realise that if you attach your work you still have to click on hand in. Oops. Thankfully Ellie is on top of all of her work and wasn't late in handing her work in. It is a nifty little thing. I understand now why Becky likes it so much for her college work.

Becky has been learning sign language. Basic sign language is part of her college course and she had to learn how to sign her name. She thought she would be clever and sign Becca thinking she'd only have to use 4 letters to spell it out. The teacher clocked on to this and made her spell her full name Rebecca. hahaha She also took part in a debate early on in the week which went towards her final mark for the course. Eek! She said her teacher said they all did great so we're not worried.

With both the girls home learning it means I have been learning to use the programmes they have to use. Word and PowerPoint. I can't believe I have gone so long without using them. Listening to the girls online lessons I have also learned lots. I now know what onomatopoeia means, I know all about the strikes in 1926 and that the sun creates wind. When the teacher said that I said "what, no it doesn't" but it actually does in a round about way. I did listen to Ellie's French lesson and learned nothing. I don't know much French but what Ellie was taught just went way over my head. Oops.

I can't think anything else we have done this week which doesn't involve home learning. lol I did finish watching all the Marvel films in chronological order and that's about it. Well apart from the Hulk & Spiderman films because they're not on Disney Plus. Hmmf.

Word of the Week linky

10 comments :

  1. Isn't it difficult, home schooling? I'm glad the kids have the resources to get on with lessons, but it does take up so much of your day and you can't do anything else. Thankfully, only my little man is required to have his camera on and he doesn't mind. There is no way you'd get my girls to go on camera but the school is fine with that. I love it when they put their laptops down and start doing writing or drawing. Star is currently doing an art lesson which she is actually enjoying. I'm loving Ellie's art work :) xx

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    1. It really is hard work and yes, I find myself struggling to get on with anything when my girl is doing her Zoom calls. Ugh. It is strange that kids use so much technology but still don't want to be on camera. To be honest I don't think I'd like it either. x

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  2. It is a relief to get to the weekend isn't it? Ellie sounds like she is doing well though and I'm glad that the teachers understand about her not wanting her video on. I love her artwork. Becky trying to sign a shortened version of her name made me chuckle - although Rebecca only means learning one extra letter! I quite like the fact that I'm learning some new things with Sophie too. She's currently doing Brazil for her topic work and I'm finding some of it quite interesting as well! Hope you have a nice relaxing weekend. #WotW

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    1. It really is. We're living for the weekend at the moment.
      It is fun to learn what our kids are learning. x

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  3. We're using Teams too, although they seem to reserve Zoom for parent briefings. I don't think my two have been asked for the cameras to be put on. They do put the mic on when asked to. I'm glad Ellie's teacher didn't push her hard to put her camera on. It might feel intrusive. You sound very involved in her lessons. I listen in sometimes, but I usually get waved away.#wotw

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    1. Ahh! At the moment I have to be involved in Ellie's lessons to keep her motivated. It's hard work. x

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  4. We have a couple of Teams sessions a day, Madam doesn't mind the camera and has it all figured out. Sir won't go near it but still I go on every day and take the laptop to him! Fortunately it's really a check in and doesn't last long! Karen - Early Rising Mum

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    1. I am glad you're getting on OK with the home learning, mostly. x

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  5. Wow what a busy week of learning you have had! I'm so glad we haven't got the structure of using zoom/teams. What with my zoom calls it would push me over the edge! I need to look up how the sun makes wind #WotW

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    1. We were glad to get to the weekend and we have it all to do again next week. lol x

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