Distance-learning became a household term in 2020 during the pandemic. Kids and college students across the world learned at home in their bedrooms or at their kitchen tables. For some, distance learning was a nightmare but for others it worked out. My daughter, Molly, thrived safe at home where she continues to learn long after most have returned to the classroom. I asked Molly about her typical school day and this is what she said:

• At 8:30am I wake up to Alexa. First, I check my phone, and then I use the bathroom and brush my teeth. Back in my bedroom I make my bed but I like to stay in my PJs until about 10:00am.

• Next, I have Student Advisory (SA) at 8:50am and I call in on Zoom with the other distance learners and my SA teacher, Mr. Grote. We talk about updates and do fun homeroom activities. SA is not a core class and Mr. Grote is a Gym teacher. Including me there are approximately 25 seventh grade distance learners at the moment; however, five kids are transferring to in-person when the quarter starts in early April. Sometimes I sleep during this class.

• At 9:15am I have my first class, which is my favorite, Science. My science teacher Mr. Braun does the labs and I write down data along with the other students. I don’t like it that he does all the fun science activities like the labs and I just write down the data, but I guess that is one of the disadvantages to distance learning. Right now, I am learning about the digestive system. Earlier this year I learned about bones and muscles. Next quarter Mr. Braun is dissecting a frog. I am okay that I don’t have to do that in person. This is one of my core classes and I have it all year long.

• American Studies, also known as Social Studies, is my least favorite class. It is another core class and I have Mr. Gunderson. I think if I had this class in person, I would enjoy it more. Right now, I am learning about World War I and before that I learned about slavery. Class is at 10:10am.

• Then at 11:05am I have Language Arts with Mrs. Lewis. I like writing essays but I do not like reading books for class. It takes a lot of motivation for me and I struggle to keep up with the long books. I liked doing a persuasive speech a few weeks ago and I did mine on Why the Ocean Should Be Explored More. I just finished the Survivor unit and I had to read articles and books, watch movies, and do an abstract art project about the topic of surviving. The Survival unit was okay since [my mom] helped me with it, and it was fun watching Alive with the whole family.

Molly’ Survival Unit Abstract Art Project

• My lunch break is at 11:55am – 12:25pm. I usually ask for PB & J, mac & cheese, or leftovers. If [my mom] has a meeting, I will make my own lunch. I normally skip breakfast and lunch is the first meal of the day for me so I am pretty hungry. I like to watch YouTube during my break while I eat lunch.

• After lunch at 12:30pm I have my Specialist class time. Right now, I am in Project Lead the Way, which is a robotics and technology class. Next quarter, in early April, I have art which I think will be my favorite Specialist class. Earlier this year I had Gym and Spanish. When I did Gym at home, I did workout videos, jumped on the trampoline, biked, did yoga, and played basketball. In Spanish, I did Kahoots and Gimkits with the class, which are online games to help learn Spanish basics like vocabulary words. In Project Lead the Way, I recently made a Rube Goldberg machine with [my brother] Sam’s help. Now in class I play online games, I am learning to code, and in Solve-a-Problem I made desk dividers for my markers in my desk drawer.

Molly’s Rube Goldberg Machine Video

• I really like my Pre-Algebra teacher, Miss Ritter, who is my favorite teacher. Class is at 1:45pm. I think Math is getting harder this month because I am learning percentages and how to measure circumference.

• Finally, at 2:20pm I have Band. I play percussion, and I have a piano and a marimba at home to practice on. I also have a rubber practice pad to do my snare drum. I think Band at home is a little boring. I liked it better when everyone was distance learning because then I would get to see everyone from school over Zoom, and not just the distance learners.

• School ends at 2:55pm. I feel lucky that I have the equipment and space to learn at home during the pandemic. I like being at home with [my mom] while [she] works. Sometimes we go pick up lunch and once [she] brought me to my favorite store Mind Body & Spirit to get some lucky bamboo. My days are filled with learning and for the most part I like to distance learn but I am starting to miss my friends and teachers and I am looking forward to returning to school in the fall.

Molly’s Reality

On Monday, April 5, 2021, students who are distance learning in Sartell can return to school for the final quarter of this academic year. As a family we made the tough decision to keep Molly at home for the remainder of the year. She would have liked to return to school and her friends but the reality of having to be in class all day with kids and teachers who may not take the pandemic as seriously as our family does could be distressing for Molly, not to mention dangerous. She is doing well at home and this is hopefully only one year. We have every intention for Molly to return to school in the fall for eighth grade; however, we cannot predict the future and what kind of situation we will be in due to the pandemic. Time will tell.