Coronavirus is making homeschoolers out of ordinary parents. They’re “accidental homeschoolers,” Actress and wife of actor Kevin Sorbo, Sam Sorbo, told The Stream. But there’s no need to fear. Texas Homeschool Coalition (THSC) and Sam, a homeschooling mom herself, have teamed up to offer help for newly minted homeschooling families through a new website called coronavirushomeschooling.com. “Relax, you’ve got this,” said Sam.

The new website offers “emergency COVID-19 daily home education lesson plans” for kindergarten through 5th grade. The THSC is also working hard to build lesson plans for 6th through 12th grade. All of this is available for free.

A Homeschool Community

Parents of kids sent home because of coronavirus shouldn’t be afraid. “There’s an entire community out there that’s rooting for them,” Sam said. “They’re loving the opportunity to help you.” And the coronavirus homeschooling curriculum plans the whole day.

Sam wants parents to know they are absolutely capable of homeschooling their children. “I’m here to empower parents. I want parents to know you can do this.” She reminds parents that they taught their children manners and how to tie their shoes. “Who taught you to do that? So, we don’t feel inadequate for certain things, but we do feel inadequate to take over for the school.”

Part of that is because the education system has taught us they know how to do it best. But that isn’t true. “Homeschool students average 30% to 35% higher academic achievement on testing than an institutionalized kid. So, the data actually bears it out.” She continued:

We understand that you are caught in this space where the schools have taught you that you are inadequate. We are trying to tell people you are more than adequate and homeschooling is much easier than you think and it is greater. It is a greater gift than you could ever dream.

Learning Shouldn’t Stop

Even if your kid’s school sent work home, the website can still be useful. “We are offering support as well and we are a community. Homeschoolers are extremely generous with their time and their resources. They really seek to help other people because we feel like homeschooling is the answer.” 

“We are rolling out new resources every week, for children of all ages, so that parents have the vibrant, comprehensive, necessary resources to teach at home,” Sam said in a statement. “COVID-19 may shut down our schools, but the learning shouldn’t have to stop, as we empower parents to take the reins and continue their childrens’ education at home in the coming months.”

Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.