Remote learning starters: laying ground for the plan ahead
At New West Schools we’re working hard to support our students and their families through the unprecedented time of the COVID-19 outbreak. And we’re quickly building the strategies needed to deliver on the “continuity of learning” the Ministry tasked us with. We’ll be doing that both at a wider district level and through individual teachers, developing a suite of remote learning tools to support our many types of learners.
So, what should you expect?
Sometime over the week of March 30th, your child’s classroom teacher will start connecting with individual families to begin the first steps of helping guide the learning of your children while they are at home. It’s going to take a while for everybody, including your teacher, to get up to speed, so we thank you for your patience as the plans are being concurrently developed and rolled out.
In the meantime, here are a few resources to get your kids going in a way that will help support the transition …
Creating a routine at home
It is important to give your children a structure/routine that will allow them to continue their learning. Here is a great article about daily schedules and some helpful samples from other parents. Please use this as a starting point. Soon, our teachers will send you more specific schedule examples with learning activities/links included! Remember that your family and your child are unique. Don’t forget to include your favourite family activities and your child’s interest and passions in their daily routine.
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/amp/entry/sample-kids-home-schedule_ca_5e6e5904c5b6747ef11f12ce/
A starting point for learning
Scholastic has created a fantastic website to support learning at home. For K-9 students, it includes daily activities and projects to keep kids reading, thinking and growing. It is organized by grade groupings; Pre-K- K, Grades 1-2, Grades 3-5 and Grades 6-9. The website is very easy to navigate and includes lots of fun things to do in a variety of curriculum areas.
www.scholastic.com/learnathome
Subject specific websites
This document includes some quick website links sorted by different areas of the curriculum.
Watch and learn!
CBC has made their entire Curio-K-12 Curriculum Collection free to families! The site includes a wide variety of fun learning videos and series in many areas of the curriculum. It also includes printable worksheets and activities to use at home. English and French resources available.
Listen and learn: stories for all ages
Audible has also made their reading resources free for families. Students can select from a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books in English and French.
https://stories.audible.com/start-listen
Looking for even more? (If not, that’s okay too!)
We know there’s a lot out there. We’ve tried our best to curate what we think the best pieces are. And perhaps you feel like you have enough for now. Which is great.
But, for those who are asking for more: the Ministry of Education has launched a brand new website from Open School BC, Keep Learning: https://www.openschool.bc.ca/keeplearning/
Check out the “Everyday Learning Activities” and “Resources”. Lots more great ideas to support learning at home.
A refresh on digital citizenship
Before accessing online resources, we recommend you refresh yourself with this parental guide to digital citizenship: Digital citizenship for parents
And this tip sheet for kids, to help guide their choices when online: SMART technology use for students
Pam Craven, District Principal for Online Learning, created this quick video to help parents know what to expect and offered a few tips on getting ready for the weeks to come.
Now, when you’re ready, please consider getting started with a daily schedule, incorporating the tools above if you wish. This will help get your child ready for the next phase of learning, in which teachers will begin to reach out.
Also, remember to do what you feel like you can. We’re all trying our best right now, and we know the situation in every home is different. Pick and choose the pieces that help you the most. And our teachers will soon be ready to step in and take over guiding your kids’ learning again.
This is going to be new for all of us. But we’re optimistic that, in working together, we can create as much stability and continued growth for students as is possible in this challenging time.
Thanks for being partners in this journey.