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There has a been mix of both positive and negative changes. Positives: Spending more time with family, Hopefully we'll be more prepared, Can work at your own pace; Negatives: More time online means more screen time, More confusion No socialization, Immune systems are down because people aren't going out Mental health taking a hit, People not working, less income, People in retirement homes not getting visited and socialization, Missing grandparents, Missing out on learning in person which is better" Highland Hills Elementary
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When asking my 3rd grade students how their lives had changed and whether the changes were negative or positive, I received similar feedback from all. Students agreed that their lives had changed and that their families had been impacted in both negative and positive ways. When talking about the changes in their lives, I had students say things such as, "I can't go to the store with my parents anymore", "I can't go to school", "My life has been impacted by COVID-19 because I can't really do anything", "My family had to cancel our trips to the coast and to Disneyland", and "I can't spend time with my great grandpa and grandpa because of this." When discussing if there were both negative and positive aspects to this change, they agreed that there was both although they see more negative aspects than positive. The positive aspect they brought up was the amount of time they have been able to spend with family. I had one student say, "I get to spend a lot more time playing with my family, especially my dad who normally works a lot." On the other hand, they brought up multiple aspects that were negative, such as "I can't really learn at school or I can't really see my friends at school in person" and "People get bored and spend too much time on the screen." Highland Hills Elementary
Most of my students said the negatives were not seeing their friends and the positives were spending more time with their family. Below are some comments: "I liked that my birthday was on a weekday but I didn't have to go to school. I like that I can play video games on weekdays. During the school year I don't get to play them except for weekends. I also like that I get to spend more time with my family and camp in my trailer in our yard. I could barely go to the store and if I do I have to wear a facemask. As the day goes on I get more bored because I cant go outside. I help my dad put cement so my sister could play basketball." "It's changed because I don't get to see my friends or my relatives that don't live with us. I don't get to go on trips. These are the negative parts of it." Highland Hills Elementary
"Our family is staying home more. We eat together and watch TV together. We didn't used to do this very much. Everyone was busy at school and at practices. I really like that." "I really miss my friends and teacher at school. Sometimes my family gets really grouchy at each other and I wish I could have a break from them." "I do not like being at home by myself when my parents are working. I do a little bit of school and watch TV and play video games. It's boring. I fight with my sister a lot." "I am mad that we are not at school. I don't get to see my friends. I am stuck home with my sisters and brothers. I don't like doing school on the computer, it is harder for me. I have missed so many things like baseball, my family going on a vacation for Spring Break and getting to go to my Grandma's house to visit." "I like it ok. I just play a lot of video games!" "I like some parts being with my family but I really miss school and my friends and teacher." "All of this is stupid!" "I don't like being stuck at home and worrying about my mom who has to work." Highland Hills Elementary
How has your life been doing good sense COVID? *Great, get to spend more time with family *Okay, we have been able to manage since both parents are still working. *Cuddling my puppies has been good. *Because we've gotten to do painting and gardening together and playing with my dog. *good because it keeps us safe and a family with mom. *We have learned new skills such as problem-solving, independence, and asking for help. We have also learned new academic and life skills from our family members. It is nice to have flexible schedule. *Playing more, and eating food at home. More relaxing. *I get more sleep, I get to see my family more because I am not at school, I get to have fun at home in our pool and playing outside, I get to spend time doing work with my mom. *Kind of good kind of bad. My family is ok. I'm boring. I miss school. spending more time with my family. How has your life been doing bad sense COVID? *not good because we cant go to the pools or bouncy house *I cant stay home because my mom works in a hospital. I am staying with my PaPa and NaNa *I don't get to see my friends from other classes. *Its been hard because i don't see my friends and not played with them *we can't get what we need *I don't get to see all my friends and my mom teaches different than my teacher *Different because at school it is easier to listen, learn from others, and the children feel more frustrated at home than at school. *School work at home kind of feels a lot harder. *We have been in for a long time. *We miss our friends from school. Missing end of the school year activities. *I miss my friends and teachers more than anything. *We can’t go shopping or to the park. Can’t see your friends. *we have not been playing sports. *I miss being at school seeing my teacher and friends. *School work is harder online and at home and I miss my friends *The homework is boring. I want to work at school. Not at home. *We dont get to play with friends. *We miss our teachers and friends. *We haven't been able to go out and do the things we normally get to
do.Highland Hills Elementary
Some students love staying home and not going to school. Many are home alone with no guidance. I did a Google Meets with students, some were jumping over couches, some were still in their pajamas, some were babysitting younger siblings. Parental involvement seemed minimal during the period I was meeting with students. Even though these students seemed to love "early summer" after visiting more with them. I think they truly miss school, teachers, friends, stability. I think the situation they are in right now is going to get "old" for them.Other students are missing the structure, teachers, curriculum, school, and friends. They want to come back to school and get into the routine and safety of the school atmosphere. Some said they miss learning and are concerned about their education. Highland Hills Elementary
"I am worried I am falling behind. I would explode if I had to do distance learning again next year. It's really hard for my family. We are still recovering from the flood and parents had to take time off work. Ready for it to be over. I had to spend my birthday in quarantine. I don't get to see my friends. It's hard to do distant learning because I want to do partner work to see how other people do the problem. Miss seeing friends. Had to spend my birthday in quarantine." "It's hard. My parents are not making enough money at work at the restaurant. Sports are closed and there's no toilet paper. Learning is a little easier because I have parents to help me learn. I can't participate in bowling league so I cry in the corner." "It's good, bad, and scary. I feel like I am a prisoner in my home now." "I am lonely." "I am missing indoor soccer. I am having a hard time getting motivated to do my school work from home." "My parents don't have enough money from work. It's hard to learn online." "I now have to have a schedule for my schoolwork. It's hard to do my work from home because there are so many people at home distracting me while learning." "It's been sad not being able to see people or go to school. Our vacation was canceled." Highland Hills Elementary
Mi opinion es que desde que cerraron las esculeas yo me siento mal porque ya no puedo ver a mis amigos y yo estoy triste. My opinion is that since they closed school I feel bad because I can't see my friends and I am sad.; Pues no podemos salir y a comprar y no podemos hacer nada y es triste. So, we can't go out and go shopping, and we can't do anything, and it is sad. Highland Hills Elementary