AdvTenhteures
of Homeschooling
with
Sparkle And
Glitter
Jeanette Corprew-Cox
Author
Illustrations by Vladimir Cebu, LL.B
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to ALL parents, step parents, grandparents, foster
parents, God parents, guardians, aunties, uncles, and cousins. You made
yourselves available to stand in the gap to help educate children during the
spread of Coronavirus. Because it affected every school system's academic
school year, you may have faced many challenges. Hats off to those who did
not give up.! I would like to thank you for sacrificing your time to help your
child/ren have a successful and productive school year.
I would like to give a “shout out” to numerous educators who went above and
beyond the call of duty to meet the individual needs of each child. You had
to abruptly change your style of teaching, prepare packets, and online
activities which would ensure that every child would be academically
prepared for the next school year.
I must give special thanks and recognition to my long time church member
and friend in the name of Joan Robertson. The idea for the book title was
phenomenal!
Also, a special “thank you” is extended to my dear friend, Rhonda Smith. She
was very instrumental in editing my manuscript. I appreciated the many
hours we spent fine tuning every word, sentence, paragraph, and idea.
FOREWORD
For my friend, Jeanette – with congratulations on the birth of your literary
baby!!! What a fantastic way to document such an impactful time in our
lives.
You have given into your calling of educating our youth for over 30 years, as
a mother and teacher. After retirement, you're still finding creative outlets to
educate and inspire. To God be the glory!!!
You are a woman of character, principle, and good morality. These traits
echo throughout the theme of your writings and the careful deliberation of
the characters within the pages of this book. I support your mission of
instilling positive, timeless attributes in the hearts and minds of our future. I
pray God's continual guidance over your heart, mind, and pen as you bring
forth the fruits of your labor.
In Sisterhood and love,
Rhonda A. Smith, Master of Human Services
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Coordinator
Long Term Substitute Teacher
English and Critical Reading
Prince George's County Public Schools
Mount Rainier, MD
Summer vacation for Sparkle and Glitter was just
about to begin! They were excited about beginning third
grade in the fall. Sparkle and Glitter had a great year
in second grade. Their teacher told them they both were
absolutely so ready for third grade!!!
1
However, she encouraged them to read at least 20
minutes a day and review their math skills every day.
Also, she told them not to spend too much time on the
computer unless the program they were using would
help them sharpen their skills so they would do even
better in third grade.
2
The grade assignments for the upcoming year arrived in
the mail. Their mother called them in the house and
shared the exciting news. She told Sparkle her third
grade teacher's name is Miss Redman. Glitter's teacher's
name is Mrs. Brown. Both of them smiled and hoped
both of their teachers would be nice.
3
Miss Redman was a new teacher, but Mrs. Brown had been
at that school several years. Their mother told them they
should be fine. All they need to do is go to school every
day to learn. She told them, “Listen to your teacher and do
your best!”
4
The first day of school could not have come any sooner.
Both Sparkle and Glitter told their mom they had a
fantastic first day! Their mother asked them did they
have any homework. They both said their teacher told
them they would get a homework packet next week.
5
It would be due each Friday. All of their work would
have something to do with what they are learning that
week. Both girls were confident they would not have
any problems if they did what their mother had told
them. “Listen to your teacher and do your best!”
6
Their mother gave both girls a hug and told them she
was really proud of them. They were off to a wonderful
start in third grade. Both girls loved their teachers and
had nothing but nice comments to say about them.
7
Sparkle and Glitter made the honor roll the first
quarter. Their mother said she would not miss the
honor roll assembly for anything. She decided to take
a half day off to be there and cheer her girls on. You
should have seen the look on the girls' faces when they
spotted their mother in the audience!
8
Within a few seconds, the girls looked at each other.
Sparkle said, “Glitter, you know mom is much older
than our friends' mothers. Look at her grey hair!” The
girls trusted their mother and agreed to do exactly what
she said,“Listen to your teacher and do your best!”
9
Sparkle and Glitter's mother was depending on them to
listen to their teachers. She shared, “The way they teach
subjects now is different than when I was in school.
They didn't have computers back in my day.” The girls
were not sure what their mother meant. They knew
that their mother would not say anything that she
didn't mean to say.
10
Her mother told Miss Redman she had no idea how to
complete the problems. To help, Miss Redman
recommended a math website. As her mother was
browsing the website, Glitter came into the room. She
recognized the math problems. Glitter knew how to do
them! Thank goodness! Glitter saved the day!
11
During the second semester of school, Sparkle told her
mother she was having trouble with math. Her mother
wanted to help. So she wrote a note to Miss Redman
asking her to explain the math problems.
12
Their mother wanted to encourage them by going to
their programs. She remembered what it was like when
no one could come to hers. She felt sad when her
friend's parents would come to their events and her
parents were not at hers.
13
Again, both girls made the honor roll! Their mother
wanted to attend the honor roll assembly. She was
nervous about asking her boss to leave work early. She
wanted to be there to support her daughters.
14
Sparkle and Glitter's mother's boss talked to her about
the benefits of parental support. When this occurs,
children perform much better. This made her feel good
about asking to leave early to attend her girls' school
programs.
15
People were getting sick and dying in record numbers.
For the safety of the children, faculty, and staff, it was
deemed necessary not to reopen the schools for the rest of
the school year. How were children expected to learn if
schools were closed?
16
Half way through the school year, Sparkle and Glitter
continued to thrive. Breaking news was shared
throughout the District of Columbia, Virginia, and
Maryland areas. Schools were being closed because of
the outbreak of Coronavirus.
17
Once again, Sparkle and Glitter's mother's boss allowed
her to leave early to attend their special awards
ceremony. Her boss told her that she did not have to be
concerned about leaving early. She was a boss that
supports parents being there for their children.
18
This could become challenging if children did not
understand their assignments. Who could they turn
to? What other resources were available to them?
19
Her mother appreciated the support from Miss Redman.
Now she was able to help Sparkle! Her mother was
feeling pretty good at this point.
20
Every student had to be homeschooled for the rest of the
year. Teachers were trained and instructed to prepare
daily and weekly assignments online. This was called
distance learning.
21
Sparkle's teacher, Miss Redman, had listed her email
address at the bottom of the homework packet. Their
mother decided to reach out to her for help. Miss
Redman was very patient with Sparkle's mother. She
directed her to a website that would help her
understand the math assignment.
22
While on the other hand, Glitter's teacher did not
provide any contact information. Her mother needed
support helping her complete a reading assignment. By
this time, her mother was getting frustrated.
23
She thought to herself, “I really want to help Glitter.
There has to be a way to contact Mrs. Brown.” She
decided to pray and ask God to help them.
24
On Friday morning the phone rang. You would not
believe who was on the other end! It was Mrs. Brown,
Glitter's teacher!
25
She was calling to find out how things were going. She
asked if they had any questions about any of the
assignments. With excitement, she told Mrs. Brown
how she was so happy she had called.
26
Glitter's mother explained the issue as Mrs. Brown
listened attentively. It was all beginning to make sense
now. Glitter's mother was finally able to help her. After
completing the assignment, they were joyous and felt a
sense of accomplishment.
27
“I owe it ALL to God. I have always heard He answers
prayers. We will continue to keep the faith and do our
best!”
28
I am praying my boss will allow me to work at home
so I can be here to help my girls. The next day their
mother approached her boss about working from home.
Distance learning would require her to be hands on.
She hoped her boss would understand.
29
God did it again!!! Now I am able to be at home to
teach my girls. How will I ever be able to do this with
full time work? Their mother decided to create a
schedule. After following the schedule, this helped
everyone know just what to do throughout the day.
After a few days they were able to achieve their daily
goals.
30
Luckily, the schedule included outside play time! For
safety reasons, they could not play with their friends.
Their mother had explained to them what Coronavirus
was all about.
31
Sparkle and Glitter's mother became very creative during
their homeschooling experiences. She found new ways to
teach them reading and math. They learned new
recipes and read scriptures from the Bible.
32
Inspite of a rocky start, distance learning turned out to
be successful. They were spending more time together
and ate meals at the family table. Over time, Sparkle
and Glitter's mother knew they would be just fine!
33
When asked what contributed to their success, their
mother would say, “I prayed a whole lot, stayed focus,
and followed our daily schedule. Staying positive helped
too. Don't forget to add a pinch of patience!!!”
34
Sparkle and Glitter's mother enjoyed spending more
time with her girls. This allowed them to sing songs
and have Bible study together. Oh, how they loved
reading the Word of God!
35
A musical game they loved playing was Name That
Tune. Taking turns guessing the first or last name of
the gospel artist singing was the only rule of the game.
It was a fun time for everyone.
36
Their favorite scripture was, “I can do all things through
Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13
Being homeschooled was not that bad after all.
37