Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Ideas for teaching prek Inclusion class remotely

    Posted 07-21-2020 11:52 AM
    Our school district like many others will offer prek classes in a virtual world. I teach in an inclusive prek class of 4 year olds who are considered at risk in an urban city.  All of our students will have access to Chrome books. I am looking for ideas to help my students develop friendship, cooperation and collaborative skills in a virtual classroom. 
    Anyone know of any resources, have ideas or about to have the same teaching experience?


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    Cheryl Thompson
    ECSE Inclusion Teacher/Mentor
    Richmond City Public Schools
    Doswell VA
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  • 2.  RE: Ideas for teaching prek Inclusion class remotely

    Posted 07-22-2020 01:20 PM
    How about having each child post an "all about me" page, then maybe create a bingo board from it. Call out blocks that all have in common, then those things that a few have in common, then use unique characteristics.

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    Janelle Martin
    United Christian Academy
    Cleveland TN
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  • 3.  RE: Ideas for teaching prek Inclusion class remotely

    Posted 07-24-2020 12:36 AM
    Are your children familiar with each other from being together pre-pandemic in a classroom setting?  When I provided remote learning to my preschoolers this past spring, I sent home a schedule with 30 minute time blocks for my students to sign up for "play dates" using the Zoom platform.  They chose who to invite to their play date - I sent home a class list with contact information for all families in my class (with parent permission).  Or you could reach out to the invited guest family regarding availability.  I sent out the Zoom invite to each family and facilitated the "play date."   I would guide the children in their interactions if they had trouble, but once I got them going they took off.  You could also encourage them to bring a show&tell object to share with their friend.  One of my students wore his super hero shirt because he knew his friend would like the shirt.

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    Jennie Morrell
    Preschool Teacher
    Andover Elementary School
    Andover CT
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  • 4.  RE: Ideas for teaching prek Inclusion class remotely

    Posted 07-24-2020 07:10 AM
    Our inclusion classrooms did a combination of Seesaw and Zoom, including mailing materials to students to ensure they had access. The Zoom circle times were a big hit for singing familiar songs, saying hi and "seeing" friends, doing show and tell, and so forth. Then students (parents) could post pictures and videos to Seesaw for common crafts, question of the day, or themes of the week. It helped create that collaborative feel and fostered a new way to maintain friendship virtually.

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    Caryn Marr
    Elmcrest
    Fayetteville NY
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