Hello Cecilia,
I agree with Monica's post about taking the virtual learning outside as much as possible. During COVID-19 our preschool used a variety of methods with a parent survey sent out at the start and at the end.
Please note that most of our students had access to working internet and our school loaned iPads (grant provided) to any student needing one with school internet access. I recognize not all schools or children have access to this; a topic of great disparity among us as a larger community.
Some things that worked (based on the parent surveys and our observations) which might work for you:
- small group live sessions (i.e. Zoom) and one-on-one live sessions (art classes, photography, games, questions, outdoor adventures, would you rather, etc.)
- a flipped classroom model where the prerecorded lesson is sent home prior to the live class (i.e. a photography lesson using close up and far away shots of the same item had a link sent a few days prior with a story about Georgia O'Keeffe and how she viewed objects, the live lesson was "I spy..." using an iPad with a small group of students and having them guess what was spied from afar and then walking closer and zooming in on the item in nature up close -- the assignment -- go out in nature and photograph 1 item far and the same item close
- small group outdoor interactive games/exploration via live session (Zoom, etc.)
- recorded (we have a YouTube school channel) sessions with outdoor walks, gardening, experiments, lessons, etc. so families can use as needed -- mailing or dropping off seed packets for home use -- care of pets and steps recorded, storytimes, etc.
- links for families with emotional and educational support materials
- acceptance, listening, and acting upon parent/caregiver concerns and student individual needs/meeting people where they are without judgment, offering support
- personal phone calls to caregivers to check-in
- personal phone calls to students to keep connections, especially to students not engaged -- offering different models to those on the margins or with special needs
- keeping a daily journal with a daily journal task (school provided the journals prior to closure)
- giving weekly jobs to child to do at home (photo uploads of tasks by children or child communicating thoughts on task)
- writing letters to community helpers (mail carrier, trash personnel), family members, classmates (over time, each child wrote to all classmates -- child received a set of letters in the mail at the end of the session with teacher collecting and then printing uploaded letters)
- turned in "assignments" involving as much communication and language as possible -- short 30 sec. videos, etc.
Not the ideal way to teach, but we're all trying to make relationship and connection a priority through this strange method as best as possible.
Stay strong,
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Elvia Montanez
Director
Holy Name of Mary Preschool, Director
San Dimas CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-29-2020 07:57 AM
From: Cecilia Arce
Subject: virtual classes for kids going to Kindergarten in the Fall
Hello,
I am looking for ideas, thoughts, feedback on holding virtual meetings for children entering Kindergarten in the Fall. We do an in person program every year, but this time moving it to virtual time, so any ideas you have will be greatly appreciated.
thank you
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Cecilia Arce
Director of Programs
Maternal and Child Health Consosrtium
West Chester PA
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