Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Continuity of Education with School Closure (COVID-19)

    Posted 03-13-2020 01:23 PM
    Hello!

    Like many of you, we are discussing a school closure as we plan with the COVID-19 crisis.  We are a PK3 through 12th grade independent school and continued education amid a school closure is the expectation of our community.  I am looking for engaging ways to continue with the education of our youngest children without subjecting them to screens too much.  I've been thinking about digital storytelling projects and other fun ways for students to engage in their world while practicing social distancing without placing too large a burden on parents during this stressful time.  We are also planning on teachers having a video chat with each child a couple of days a week to maintain the relationship.  What other thoughts do all of you have and what plans do all of you have in place at your school?

    Gratefully,
    Dawn

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    Dawn Wilson
    Head of Lower School
    St. Andrew's Episcopal School
    Jackson MS
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  • 2.  RE: Continuity of Education with School Closure (COVID-19)

    Posted 03-14-2020 06:27 AM
    One of the schools I consult for shared this w/me. She will be using the  app "ClassTag" to communicate lesson plans/themes/ideas to her parents. Parents can also participate with ideas/suggestions. This is not "screen time" but a great way to keep continuity.

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    Karin King
    Education Consultant
    Trumbull CT
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  • 3.  RE: Continuity of Education with School Closure (COVID-19)

    Posted 03-14-2020 10:20 AM

    Hello
    My school is also looking at ways we can engage parents and keep those relationships with the kids.  We are looking at having several weekly video conferencing with the kids for a hour a day.  This would include teachers reading, singing with them and also doing some type of activity.  We will continue to stay within our topic of study.  We also thought about having yoga Wednesday and the teacher does this while the children also doing it. Teachers also can send out daily material for parents that are appropriate activities they can do with their infant.  

    The whole online learning is unknown territory for my school.  We are a screen free school so this is very different for us.  



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    Maria Dickinson
    chapel hill cooperative preschool
    Chapel Hill NC
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  • 4.  RE: Continuity of Education with School Closure (COVID-19)

    Posted 03-14-2020 01:28 PM
    Good Morning,
    My school is closed until at least April 13th.  We normally offer 1, 2, 3, or 4 day, half day, parent participation programs.  I am going to be posting resources to my families three times per week.  These will include:

    -One circle time video including some movement or other activity led by the teacher
    -One story time video
    -1 or 2 projects families can do at home with materials they likely have at home
    -An outside resource for how to help educate/entertain our children during these challenging times (I have a list of some including online museum offerings and some ideas from the Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood)

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    Sherrie Rose Mayle
    Director/Teacher
    Campbell Parents' Participation Preschool
    Campbell, CA
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  • 5.  RE: Continuity of Education with School Closure (COVID-19)

    Posted 03-15-2020 06:04 AM
    TRUCE also has some family play plans and STEM plans that might be helpful.  Topics on the play plans are things like bubbles, play dough, boxes, socks.  Their website is www.truceteachers.org.

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    Sharon Febo
    Medway MA
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  • 6.  RE: Continuity of Education with School Closure (COVID-19)

    Posted 03-16-2020 12:28 AM
    The TRUCE family pages are a great idea! I'm going to suggest them also to my college students who may have their own children or who are providing care for students.

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    Joyce Daniels
    Adjunct Instructor
    Folsom Lake College, American River College, Sierra College
    Sacramento Valley, Ca
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  • 7.  RE: Continuity of Education with School Closure (COVID-19)

    Posted 03-15-2020 08:28 AM
    Some companies/organizations have/ are starting to provide free resources for at home learning for young children, so have started to gather these resources for Home Learning https://wke.lt/w/s/SNyMmthttps://wke.lt/w/s/SNyMmthttps://wke.lt/w/s/SNyMmthttps://wke.lt/w/s/SNyMmthttps://wke.lt/w/s/SNyMmtto make it easier to share/when discussing with colleagues. Also believe it is important for there to be a variety of activity choices/when teachers can curate or provide personalized learning plans and opportunities, but know programs ability to do this will vary, and what resources families have available at home. If you have some resources to share that would be a good addition to the list we are starting to compile, would appreciate knowing more about the online museum offerings/sites you find most interesting.

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    Bonnie Blagojevic
    Morningtown Consulting
    Orono ME
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  • 8.  RE: Continuity of Education with School Closure (COVID-19)

    Posted 03-29-2020 01:51 PM
    Hello,
    This is a bizarre time for us all, and keeping our children engaged along with supporting our parents during this closure is important for all of us.  My preschool has been closed for 2 weeks, and will continue to be closed until the end of April.  We too have been and plan to continue using Zoom to communicate with our students and families.  I'm also in the process of making videos of myself reading stories and sharing ideas and activities with the parents they can do that go along with the stories.  I'm not very tech savvy, so this time is pushing me into what is usually intimidating territory for me.  Thanks for sharing your ideas......we're in this together!
    Sincerely,
    Tieraney G. Rice
    Owner/Teacher
    Gilmore Prep Academy

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    Tieraney Rice
    Teacher
    Greer SC
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