How to Prepare for Remote Learning (Thanks, COVID!) #051

The school year is upon us, but it is like none other. We are facing remote learning for at least two months where we live. So, we spend some time talking about how to make the most of this season of learning for (and with) our kids.
It may not be easy, but we can make the most of it by doing the following:

• Making a schedule with our kids each day and starting off strong with a family morning meeting.
• Communicating early and often with our kids' teachers (just as if they were in the classroom everyday). And, offering teachers encouragement, kindness, and generosity of spirit.
• Creating a "learning pod." (Or not, if it is more work than it is worth. You do you.)
• Taking a long-term view.
• Having grace for ourselves and our spouse and our kids.

A few resources we found useful from Duke University, Harvard's Imagining September report, Google classroom, and Family Education.
David also steals a joke from Homestar Runner's Strong Sad, except instead of board games it is about his love of the grocery store.
The Stat of the Week covers the changing trends in Back to School spending from Deloitte's 2020 Back-to-School Survey. A lot less clothing and a lot more furniture for home.