LEARNING FROM HOME: Many parents have different ideas of what this new model of learning will be like. It is important to note that all families have different situations at home. Some parents are working out of the home, some in the home and some have very small children at home. There is a range of availability of technology and how to use it. Don't underestimate the value in spending time together by cooking, doing creative things, growing a garden. It is going to be different for everyone and that is ok. I don't want to overwhelm anyone and don't worry, we will catch them up in the fall if we need to.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM ME (These are the expectations from SD79 on its teachers regarding Online teaching)
2 – 3 connections per week with students – At least 1 should be a personal
connection directly with each student –for Primary, can be through the caregiver
2 – 5 hours of learning opportunities per week, per student
An instructional loop – opportunity relayed > some sort
of interaction > feedback provided
Plan for differentiation, equity, and access for all, “can do” activities
Focus on Core and Curricular competencies (self-guided inquiry projects)
Please be mindful of families with multiple school aged children
TOOLS AND ACCESS: I will be using the following platforms to communicate with the students and parents
Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft Teams
Zoom
Classroom Website and Blog
Email
A POEM TO PARENTS: If they cancel the rest of the school year, students would miss 2.5 months of education. Many people are concerned about students falling behind because of this. Yes, they may fall behind when it comes to classroom education...
But what if....
What if instead of falling "behind", this group of kids are ADVANCED because of this? Hear me out...
What if they have more empathy, they enjoy family connection, they can be more creative and entertain themselves, they love to read, they love to express themselves in writing.
What if they enjoy the simple things, like their own backyard and sitting near a window in the quiet.
What if they notice the birds and the dates the different flowers emerge, and the calming renewal of a gentle rain shower?
What if this generation are the ones to learn to cook, organize their space, do their laundry, and keep a well run home?
What if they learn to stretch a dollar and to live with less?
What if they learn to plan shopping trips and meals at home?
What if they learn the value of eating together as a family and finding the good to share in the small delights of the everyday?
What if they are the ones to place great value on our teachers and educational professionals, librarians, public servants and the previously invisible essential support workers like truck drivers, grocers, cashiers, custodians, logistics, and health care workers and their supporting staff, just to name a few of the millions taking care of us right now while we are sheltered in place?
What if, among these children, a great leader emerges who had the benefit of a slower pace and a simpler life to truly learn what really matters in this life?