Author: Student Support

10 Tips for Discussing COVID-19 With Your Children

PBS has come out with an article that details 10 different tips to use when approaching the subject of the coronavirus to your children.

  1. Make children feel safe.
  2. Give them facts, and allow them to lead the discussion.
  3. Give them power – and responsibility.
  4. Let them know what to expect.
  5. Empathy, empathy, empathy.
  6. Keep your child’s developmental stage and temperament in mind.
  7. Try to maintain a normal routine.
  8. Model the behavior you want to see.
  9. Consider adjusting the screen time limits.
  10. Take care of yourself.

Also included in this PBS article is a short video from BrainPop that will inform your learners about the Coronavirus in a kid-friendly animated short. To read more, visit PBS here.

Free Online Resources & Subscriptions

Several companies are offering free educational resources due to school closures around the world. Check out this blog post to find out what’s available for you and your learners by clicking here!

Other great resources:

Math Snacks offers engaging and vivid animations and games for learners to practice math concepts such as ratios, base ten, number lines, fractions, coordinate planes, etc. Suggested learners would be middle-school.

Open-middle is a website that offers more challenging math problems for any learner k-12. Each problem will have multiple ways to complete it and encourage learners to attempt each of the methods in order to achieve the most optimal answer.

Youcubed is a free website that has math-based tasks and activities available for downloading or printing. Each activity or task is labeled with their suggested learner grade and has activities for grades k-12.

Commonlit offers short stories and literature with reading comprehension and vocabulary for all grades. This is a great resource for upper elementary through high school.

Storyline is an incredible site that offers videos of picture books being read by actors and actresses. They have a wide variety, and it is a wonderful resource to utilize from home!

Sciencing is a website that offers easy science project ideas for kids of all ages!

Thoughtful Learning provides access to Language Arts resources such as assessments, worksheets, and lessons, and more!

Finally, iLEAD Exploration has compiled a comprehensive list of Learning From Home – Virtual Resources. The spreadsheet has many tabs, so be sure to refer to the categories at the bottom.

Free Mindfulness Classes for Kids

Over the next few weeks, Mindful Schools is offering free mindfulness classes for children. These 30-minute lessons include mindful activities, mindful movement, read-aloud and more! Classes will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 10 am and will be taught by experienced teachers. Click here to learn more.

Free Internet Access

Times have been tough with the temporary closures of schools. Many families have had to move their learner online as they wait for brick and mortar schools to reopen. Both Spectrum and AT&T have generously offered 60 days of free internet or low-cost home internet in order to help those in need.

Spectrum WiFi hotspots will now be open for public use. You may either call 1-844-579-3743 to enroll or visit their website to learn more.

Helpful COVID-19 Daily Schedule

With so much time together at home, it is important to maintain a schedule that works for your family. Below is a sample daily schedule, but there are many other creative scheduling ideas that can be found through friends, family, and/or researching on the internet.

Upcoming Events

Sunday, March 8: Daylight Saving Time – Spring Forward 1 Hour
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Categorized as Events

Spotlight: School Counselors

We are so thankful for our school counselors at iLEAD. They provide counseling support to our learners with IEPs, and sometimes even to our own team. We have spotlighted a few of our talented team below.

Danielle Monton
My name is Danielle Monton, and I’m a school counselor at SCVi and iLEAD Agua Dulce. I provide services to learners in need of personal, social, emotional, and academic support.

Superpower
Positive vibes. I help others to see the positive in themselves that I see in them.

Fun Fact
I am a mother of two fun-loving boys, and I love spending time with them any chance I get.

Janet Perez Turner
I’m a school counselor with iLEAD Exploration, supporting learners in K-8.

Superpower
Empathy, which is the ability to not only understand what someone else is feeling or experiencing, but also to share that feeling or experience.

Fun Fact
I met former First Lady Michelle Obama while having lunch when visiting Washington, DC.

Shaana Scott
I am a school counselor at iLEAD Lancaster, and I support learners at various levels of need.

Superpower
I am a “believer.” I stand firm in believing what some may think is impossible.

Fun Fact
I’m a good batter, and like to play baseball.

MindShift App

If you have a learner who struggles with anxiety, the MindShift app is a great tool available. This app provides strategies to relax, be mindful, and take charge of anxiety. The app includes a thought journal, coping cards, goal-setting, and more.

MindShift is available for free download for iOS and Android phones. Click here for more information.

How to Prepare for State Testing

With state testing just around the corner, here are some tips on how to prepare!

  1. Utilize the practice tests available for not only test-taking, but also to practice controlling your anxiety level.
  2. Remind yourself of past successes. You can do it!
  3. Visualize completing the test successfully.
  4. Get a good night’s sleep for several days before the exam. With adequate sleep, your ability to think clearly and to deal with anxiety will both improve.
  5. High anxiety can increase with high consumptions of caffeine. Try to avoid over-caffeinating on the day of the exam.
  6. Eat a nutritious breakfast before the test and pack smart snacks for ongoing energy. Look for foods that offer a steady stream of nutrients (rather than a sugar high followed by a crash).
  7. Feeling rushed will only amp up the anxiety. Pack everything you need for the exam the night before and set the alarm so you can get out the door on time.
  8. Get to the test site a little early, and take a walk around the building and silently talk to yourself, meditate, breathe, and/or pray. Moving your body can help rid you of some of the nervous energy you are experiencing.
  9. Remind yourself of the love your family and teachers have for you! You will do great and are dearly loved!