For us, the most challenging part of this social distancing, by far, has been trying to explain to Maddie why she can’t play with her friends. It breaks my heart to see her so sad to be without her classmates and buddies- to have her wonder why she can’t go to the playground or have a play date. Over the last few days we’ve worked hard to keep her interacting with them in safe and healthy ways.
Here are a few ways the kiddos can keep in tough with their classmates:
Virtual playdates
Make a Zoom Call and facilitate a Show and Tell share
Start a Class Book Club-Choose a book at the beginning of the week and FaceTime or Zoom to talk about it
Record a short message and send to your friends
Write letters to classmates and drop in their mailbox
Make friendship bracelets and send a picture of them or drop at their house
Chopped- FaceTime or Zoom and let kids create their own recipes from the same ingredients
Virtual Dance Party it Freeze Dance
Plant a Class Garden at Home- Assign each student a flower or vegetable and plant at home.
Choose a song to learn as a class, then set up a call to perform together
Create a Story as a Class- Set up a call and have students start alphabetically. Take turns adding on to the story. You can also do this by recording sections of the story then sending via text or email, then have one parent or teacher compile all the videos
Write letters or draw pictures for your local nursing home- share yours with your classmates then have one gather them and drop off.
photo by Julia Dags
Who’s ready for a summer picnic and parade? I know we are!
I signed up for a YearCheer holiday subscription for the girlies last year, and it quickly became one of our very favorite parts of the holidays.
Friday! We made it. It’s been a busy one over here at the Matkovic house with so many fun things coming up that I can’t wait to share. Aside from work, we are finishing up the room refresh of my office with Taylor from Home Taylored- just waiting on a few items to arrive and for the walls to be painted. I can’t wait to show you the color and finish we chose.
Happy Friday, friends!
I interrupt this self-quarantine with a picture of baby Maddie enjoying a subscription book box last year. I can’t believe how big she’s gotten; how much has changed. Especially given these unprecedented times.
For us, the most challenging part of this social distancing, by far, has been trying to explain to Maddie why she can’t play with her friends. It breaks my heart to see her so sad to be without her classmates and buddies- to have her wonder why she can’t go to the playground or have a play date.
Yesterday my mama forwarded an article with links to a few virtual tours of some well-loved rides at the Happiest Place on Earth. Like so many people, we had to cancel a trip to Mickey’s House this season; leaving our girls longing for that Disney magic. Being that we’re self-proclaimed Disney Geeks- you can find more in my guides here and here- I thought I’d share some links to our favorite rides and shows.
Ok, if I’m being honest I’m playing a little fast and loose with the term teacher. I never technically had my own classroom. But I do have just a few units left before I earn my Masters in Education, and I spent over a year in a local elementary school as an in-house sub. Plus I do have a current GPA of 4.0, meaning I know a thing or two or writing a lesson plan.
Since Maddie started school two years ago, we’ve loved spending a little time together after pickup- catching up on our days and enjoying an afternoon snack. For the last few years, it has been some of the most precious time for the two of us; or at least for me, as her mom. I get to learn about her day; to take her emotional temperature; to sense how she perceived the way she was treated and what she learned; what made her happy or sad or mad.
Yesterday my little elves were up before the sunrise, and we were greeted with the most beautiful dusting of snow. We had a a few hours to kill in the morning, so I decided to whip up some dehydrated oranges with my first girl. I’ve made them a few times before- they always leave the house smelling so sweet and are so pretty strung up as a pop of color in some holiday garland.
Happy Friday!
There are a few weeks left of summer vacation, and I hope ya’ll are enjoying fun in the sunshine and the last trips of the season.
This 37 week bump and I have been pretty much hibernating inside with the air conditioning, and I’ve delved deep into streaming some great shows the last few weeks.
Earlier this week Maddie and I sat down and came up with some ideas for our summer. She’s enrolled in a few camps here and there, but for the most part we don’t have many plans and I’m really looking forward to some quality time together, just us two.
Always one to level up the fun, Maddie suggested we put all of our ideas in a “Summer Bucket List Jar,” and on unscheduled days we will draw from it and let fate decide what we do… Genius!