End of Days - Homeschooling or the Pandemic

As a seasoned educator, I have relished in the moments to teach again.  However, I did not think it would come to fruition in this manner.  We left for a family vacation that has been planned for over a year on March 6th knowing that Asia and parts of Europe were dealing with the Corona Virus.  As events started to unfold, we started making plans of changes when we would arrive home.  Then, we couldn't get home.  What was going to be a Friday departure ended being a Tuesday departure with all new custom protocols, including possible temperature checking.  Additionally, while out of the country, our amazing governor enacted wise precautions ranging from restaurant guidelines, gathering precautions, and closure of schools for two weeks.  My mind began racing with possible learning opportunities for my 11-year-old son.  I started to dream about hooking up to the airstream and venturing off until I truly understood the impact this virus could mean for him.  He was born with bronchial issues that have resulted in early asthma, frequent respiratory issues, a bout of pneumonia and an 8-16 week cycle of croup.  This mom knew that he needed to be protected and traveling would not be an option.  So I blew out the cobwebs and began lesson planning.

After a long flight home, we safely made it to our home, Rocky Point Preserve.  We are fortunate.  We are located 100 acres away from others, we had an abundance of stored food, a generator, and a well for water.  We are as safe as one could hope.  Then came the first morning of homeschooling.

To be honest, it's been easy.  I designed a schedule - included below. I know my active ADHD boy needed lots of breaks so every 30-35 minutes we do brain breaks, exercise breaks, and downtime.
As I went into the bathroom to prepare for the morning, the house shook with force and I called out to my sweet husband.  "Ar, what was that?" , but already knowing the answer. Quickly, we reached for the remote and turned on our favorite news, Channel 5.  It was OFF the Air!
In a few moments, we started getting the reports on the phone and switched the channel to see that there had been a 5.7 magnitude earthquake in Salt Lake City.  After seven years of being told, training others, and preparing for earthquakes, today was the day.

This was going to be a great day of learning!  Earthquakes - social studies, current events, science, non-fiction text. I've provided links for resources for our morning lesson.  Feel free to use them!

Richter Scale - Describes the math concept of magnitude
Video for Kids to explain Earthquakes
USGS 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake
Aleutian Trench 

After 16 years away from the classroom, today I was reminded of my love for learning and sharing my passion to educate.