As we’re all aware and are likely tired of reading by now, this virus has affected a lot.
Many global industries were brought to their knees nearly overnight. World travel has been greatly reduced, with panic and fear quickly replacing it.
However, as with many other catastrophes, one of the most negatively affected groups is our children.
With the spread of the virus reaching every corner of the globe, one of the main focuses of governmental leaders has been to slow the spread. This led to the necessarily unfortunate decision made by many to close down the schools. Children are now stuck at home when they would normally be in a classroom. School boards are being forced to make truly unprecedented decisions, with some choosing to direct the students to simply review old material from earlier in the school year.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization reported that 188 countries have closed their schools, affecting more than 1.5 billion students. This means that nine out of every ten students around the globe are out of school. That’s a lot of children stuck at home, with parents who don’t know what to do with them.
To respond to this global education crisis, an organization in Texas has stepped in to help. The Texas Home School Coalition (THSC) has started a website called coronavirushomeschooling.com. On this site, parents can access lesson plans for grades K-5 entirely for free, with grades 6-12 soon to be released.
Sam Sorbo (the wife of Christian actor Kevin Sorbo) has partnered with THSC to promote this opportunity for parents, and to come alongside families in this time of need.
“You didn’t realize it, but now you’re homeschooling,” said Sorbo, addressing the millions of parents now faced with teaching their children.
“We’re ready to come alongside them and empower them and equip them with everything that they need and reassure them that they are very capable of getting this done.”
The site contains a plethora of material for parents to use. “Completely comprehensive,” said Sorbo, “but you can do it at your kitchen table. It’s curriculum scheduling. It is helpful hints. [It’s] the agenda and schedules for you to download, checklists, projects, and educationally-minded games you can play with your kids.”
The program has already been used by thousands of people, and membership numbers grow daily. “I’ve had people email me from Greece and England,” Sorbo said. “We’ve had so many people.”
Sorbo also spoke from personal experience to the reservations many have concerning homeschooling their children. She’s been a homeschool mom for over a decade now, and understands the struggles of first starting the journey.
“I felt wholly inadequate,” said Sorbo, “Because I thought that there was some special magic to teaching a young person. And there isn’t. The special magic is actually love. And once you have love covered, then you can figure out how to teach anything, to frankly, anyone. So I encourage parents, and I feel it is my calling to encourage and empower parents.”
“It’s kind of cool,” remarked Sorbo, “because as dismal as this coronavirus is, and it’s a struggle, we’re seeing people come together in ways unknown before. Amazingly. It’s been such a blessing because people are making connections across the country and across the world. It’s kind of awesome.”
To learn more or sign up, visit coronavirushomeschooling.com
