Quarantine Lesson Plans and Activities for Kids
I don't know how parents are managing as well as they appear to be, but cheers to you for hanging in there! If you're starting to struggle or could use a little help, HERE'S a great article from The Conversation on how to motivate children during pandemic without nagging or tantrums.
I worked for a long time as a nanny, as an au pair, worked with troubled teens at a wilderness rehab, lived with as many as seven teenagers at a time at a non-profit while working as a houseparent and got my master's in school counseling. So I'm not a parent, but have learned a few tricks. I know it can't be easy at this point, but here are a few educational activities that can be modified by age that can hopefully help in conjunction with school work, or that can be used on their own.
I once had a adolescent psychology professor tell me she did not see what was wrong with rewarding (or bribing haha) your child. We wouldn't go to work without knowing we're getting paid, there's nothing wrong with giving your child a reward (it could be video game time, a small monetary amount, you know what your child's motivators are). I think you need to do what you need to do in times like these, but also know from research and real life experience that video games are built to be addicting and can make your child very moody when you take them away. Why not set up incentives to keep your children learning and motivated in times like these where they earn rewards and priviledges like game time?
This is also a great way to take advantage of the free time to teach your children some very important life skills that you normally may be too busy to.
#1-Create a Report Using or Just Explore Google Arts and Culture- Click Here! and/or download the app to your phone.
I can't believe I am just discovering this amazing resource that is both child and adult friendly. Not only can you 360 degree explore national park, project famous works of art by using the app into your living room, learn about Kobe fashion in Japan, but your child can participate in a challenge to recreate the Mona Lisa with food, or take a road trip around the world.
Whether it's exploring lava tubes in Hawaii or learning about a person from their "world heroes" section, have your child write a report or draw a picture on what they learned or you explored on a relevant topic.
#2-Teach Critical Thinking Skills and How to Separate Misinformation from Coronavirus by Using The Swift Method at Infodemic.blog.
This website was created by Mike Caufield, the author of "Web Literacy for Student Fact Checkers," amongst other accolades. Have your children put on their detective hats and learn the SIFT Method; "Stop," "Investigate the Source," "Find Better Coverage," and "Trace Claims, Quotes and Media to the Original Context." Find a current event claim related to Coronavirus and investigate it together using the process laid out on the site. I don't think it's healthy for a child to obsess over the virus, yet also don't think it's healthy to keep them in the dark. Of course make sure the information is age appropriate, but just like with adults, fear is decreased, and control is increased when facts are known.
With the use of deep fakes, and being bombarded with so much information, knowing how to research sources further is a great life skill for children become familiar with.
For children this activity may be too young for, they could watch the 4-7-8 Breathing Excercise that has been shown to decrease stress and alleviate anxiety. Younger children can also research more information on the virus on the very fun, informative and kid friendly website Brain Pop. The site also allows them to make a movie, map, or complete a worksheet on coronavirus.
#3- Make a Relative's Famous Family Recipe.
Depending on your child's age they can help you prep the recipe and talk to your relative about when they started making it and why. Older children can call the relative on their own and figure out where they first learned the recipe, tips on how to make it well, etc. The more generations it's been passed down and the older it is, the better. It may be uncovered it was made to save money during hard economic times, to celebrate a special occasion, or something that was brought over during immigration. From there, your child can help source and make the dish, learning how to continue to pass it on themselves. You could also have a child write the recipe and what was learned in the conversation describing the history so that can be passed along as well. Younger children could draw a picture of the story they learned to mail to the relative and thank them for sharing the recipe.
#4-Explore the San Diego Zoo live webcams and learn about animals at sandiegozoo.org.
San Diego Zoo is an excellent virtual educational resource. Pick an animal and watch the webcams (there's a "learn more" link below each animal), and watch a daily live Facebook talks with wildlife care experts sandiegozoo.org/missionspringbreak . Younger children can download their newest app called "Dancebout Australia" and join an AR Kangaroo Dance Party, parents can download their 101 THINGS TO DISCOVER and navigate the answers to the questions together, or let slightly older children complete the tasks on their own. At dinner everyone could discuss their favorite new facts they learned.
Older children could research an interesting new animal, or go more in-depth by using the SWIFT Method above to critical think and debate the ethics of animal conservation and Zoos, big game hunting, or the ethics and process of wildlife management.
#5-Budget and Plan the next Family Trip.
Not only can having something to look forward to can be exciting and hopeful in times like these, but depending on the age the planning can involve many educational activities from history lessons to learning how to plan a budget. All ages can be guided to what is financially feasible timeline wise and financially. Whether it's a trip to a nearby amusement park, a museum about something your child is interested in, or a family vacation to another country, younger children can study and learn about the history of their choice destination. Younger and older children can be taught a budget at different levels. The Balance is an excellent resource for how to teach younger children to budget money. Older children can be given a feasible budget to work with and told to break it down into hotel stays, food, and gas or air travel, tourist activities and souvenirs. Older children and teens could also learn basic travel words for the native language if it's a different country, and work on language apps like Duo Lingo, or hire a language tutor for virtual lessons by using sites like Preply.
#6-Create a Passport (younger) or Discuss Travel Topics.
Younger children can print and decorate a paper passport (CLICK HERE TO PRINT) and travel virtually. You can use Google Arts & Culture, Google Earth, or Youtube videos of walking through cities, and create passport stamps together to use after you've covered a country. Children can also draw pictures of a culture's customs like their favorite foods, traditional festivals, and customs.
For teens, Rick Steves Classroom Europe has video segments that discuss topics like global art, education, culture, religion, environment etc. with settings like "hide mature content" where parents can filter out topics that are appropriate for older teens. Teens could study interesting topics like "the ethics of travel," "travel as a political act," or "the effects of travel on the environment," to debate and inform family members on different perspectives.
#7-Publish a Book.
At Story Jumper kids can write then print a hardcover ($24.99), a paperback ($12.99) or an eBook ($2.99), or you can get creative and hand make a book for free at home. My third grade teacher had us go through the story writing process, rough draft to final project where we then put it in a hard cover book and I still have and cherish my highly creative (lol) "Haunted House" story (where come to find out it wasn't haunted, people were just filming a scary movie) today.
Story Jumpers allows your child to digitally create characters and voices. It's something that once if shared, other family could really appreciate in times like these as well.
Potential topics are unlimited but could include creative story writing, a biography, a family history or tale, etc. etc.
And HERE'S a good link for resources for older teen focused writing activities and resources.
#8-Set up Playdates on the phone or Facetime.
Of course teens will most likely not need your help to coordinate online socializing, but phone calls with friends are a great way for younger kids to continue to stay connected and even practice social skills over the phone in a way that isn't utilized much anymore with texting. If wanting to Facetime, old fashioned games like charades, 20 questions, would you rather, pictionary, etc. can all be played over video with friends. Be sure if using Zoom and other video resources to lock the room.
#9-Play Board or Card Games.
I can't remember how many childhood nights of mine blew by with puzzles, board games or card games. Sadly, all of these seem to be a bit of a dying traditions. Used games can still be ordered off of Ebay for reasonable prices and playing games together can be a nice form of family bonding that you'll look back on and appreciate. And if you don't now, maybe you all will even enjoy so much you'll work to incorportate game nights in busy schedules when quarantine is over.
#10-and if all else fails, HERE'S a list of the 30 most educational Netflix shows by age group.
I once had a adolescent psychology professor tell me she did not see what was wrong with rewarding (or bribing haha) your child. We wouldn't go to work without knowing we're getting paid, there's nothing wrong with giving your child a reward (it could be video game time, a small monetary amount, you know what your child's motivators are). I think you need to do what you need to do in times like these, but also know from research and real life experience that video games are built to be addicting and can make your child very moody when you take them away. Why not set up incentives to keep your children learning and motivated in times like these where they earn rewards and priviledges like game time?
This is also a great way to take advantage of the free time to teach your children some very important life skills that you normally may be too busy to.
#1-Create a Report Using or Just Explore Google Arts and Culture- Click Here! and/or download the app to your phone.
I can't believe I am just discovering this amazing resource that is both child and adult friendly. Not only can you 360 degree explore national park, project famous works of art by using the app into your living room, learn about Kobe fashion in Japan, but your child can participate in a challenge to recreate the Mona Lisa with food, or take a road trip around the world.
Whether it's exploring lava tubes in Hawaii or learning about a person from their "world heroes" section, have your child write a report or draw a picture on what they learned or you explored on a relevant topic.
#2-Teach Critical Thinking Skills and How to Separate Misinformation from Coronavirus by Using The Swift Method at Infodemic.blog.
This website was created by Mike Caufield, the author of "Web Literacy for Student Fact Checkers," amongst other accolades. Have your children put on their detective hats and learn the SIFT Method; "Stop," "Investigate the Source," "Find Better Coverage," and "Trace Claims, Quotes and Media to the Original Context." Find a current event claim related to Coronavirus and investigate it together using the process laid out on the site. I don't think it's healthy for a child to obsess over the virus, yet also don't think it's healthy to keep them in the dark. Of course make sure the information is age appropriate, but just like with adults, fear is decreased, and control is increased when facts are known.
With the use of deep fakes, and being bombarded with so much information, knowing how to research sources further is a great life skill for children become familiar with.
For children this activity may be too young for, they could watch the 4-7-8 Breathing Excercise that has been shown to decrease stress and alleviate anxiety. Younger children can also research more information on the virus on the very fun, informative and kid friendly website Brain Pop. The site also allows them to make a movie, map, or complete a worksheet on coronavirus.
#3- Make a Relative's Famous Family Recipe.
Depending on your child's age they can help you prep the recipe and talk to your relative about when they started making it and why. Older children can call the relative on their own and figure out where they first learned the recipe, tips on how to make it well, etc. The more generations it's been passed down and the older it is, the better. It may be uncovered it was made to save money during hard economic times, to celebrate a special occasion, or something that was brought over during immigration. From there, your child can help source and make the dish, learning how to continue to pass it on themselves. You could also have a child write the recipe and what was learned in the conversation describing the history so that can be passed along as well. Younger children could draw a picture of the story they learned to mail to the relative and thank them for sharing the recipe.
#4-Explore the San Diego Zoo live webcams and learn about animals at sandiegozoo.org.
San Diego Zoo is an excellent virtual educational resource. Pick an animal and watch the webcams (there's a "learn more" link below each animal), and watch a daily live Facebook talks with wildlife care experts sandiegozoo.org/missionspringbreak . Younger children can download their newest app called "Dancebout Australia" and join an AR Kangaroo Dance Party, parents can download their 101 THINGS TO DISCOVER and navigate the answers to the questions together, or let slightly older children complete the tasks on their own. At dinner everyone could discuss their favorite new facts they learned.
Older children could research an interesting new animal, or go more in-depth by using the SWIFT Method above to critical think and debate the ethics of animal conservation and Zoos, big game hunting, or the ethics and process of wildlife management.
#5-Budget and Plan the next Family Trip.
Not only can having something to look forward to can be exciting and hopeful in times like these, but depending on the age the planning can involve many educational activities from history lessons to learning how to plan a budget. All ages can be guided to what is financially feasible timeline wise and financially. Whether it's a trip to a nearby amusement park, a museum about something your child is interested in, or a family vacation to another country, younger children can study and learn about the history of their choice destination. Younger and older children can be taught a budget at different levels. The Balance is an excellent resource for how to teach younger children to budget money. Older children can be given a feasible budget to work with and told to break it down into hotel stays, food, and gas or air travel, tourist activities and souvenirs. Older children and teens could also learn basic travel words for the native language if it's a different country, and work on language apps like Duo Lingo, or hire a language tutor for virtual lessons by using sites like Preply.
#6-Create a Passport (younger) or Discuss Travel Topics.
Younger children can print and decorate a paper passport (CLICK HERE TO PRINT) and travel virtually. You can use Google Arts & Culture, Google Earth, or Youtube videos of walking through cities, and create passport stamps together to use after you've covered a country. Children can also draw pictures of a culture's customs like their favorite foods, traditional festivals, and customs.
For teens, Rick Steves Classroom Europe has video segments that discuss topics like global art, education, culture, religion, environment etc. with settings like "hide mature content" where parents can filter out topics that are appropriate for older teens. Teens could study interesting topics like "the ethics of travel," "travel as a political act," or "the effects of travel on the environment," to debate and inform family members on different perspectives.
#7-Publish a Book.
At Story Jumper kids can write then print a hardcover ($24.99), a paperback ($12.99) or an eBook ($2.99), or you can get creative and hand make a book for free at home. My third grade teacher had us go through the story writing process, rough draft to final project where we then put it in a hard cover book and I still have and cherish my highly creative (lol) "Haunted House" story (where come to find out it wasn't haunted, people were just filming a scary movie) today.
Story Jumpers allows your child to digitally create characters and voices. It's something that once if shared, other family could really appreciate in times like these as well.
Potential topics are unlimited but could include creative story writing, a biography, a family history or tale, etc. etc.
And HERE'S a good link for resources for older teen focused writing activities and resources.
#8-Set up Playdates on the phone or Facetime.
Of course teens will most likely not need your help to coordinate online socializing, but phone calls with friends are a great way for younger kids to continue to stay connected and even practice social skills over the phone in a way that isn't utilized much anymore with texting. If wanting to Facetime, old fashioned games like charades, 20 questions, would you rather, pictionary, etc. can all be played over video with friends. Be sure if using Zoom and other video resources to lock the room.
#9-Play Board or Card Games.
I can't remember how many childhood nights of mine blew by with puzzles, board games or card games. Sadly, all of these seem to be a bit of a dying traditions. Used games can still be ordered off of Ebay for reasonable prices and playing games together can be a nice form of family bonding that you'll look back on and appreciate. And if you don't now, maybe you all will even enjoy so much you'll work to incorportate game nights in busy schedules when quarantine is over.
#10-and if all else fails, HERE'S a list of the 30 most educational Netflix shows by age group.
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