Grade your school's distance learning approach

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Lee Montessori Prek/k class A+

A+ for virtual pre-k? Please share the amazing secret that has your 3 year old learning just as well as they would in person from a screen!

The school provided lots of supplies and are NOT requiring my DC to be on the screen for little more than 30 minutes a day. When they are on, teacher is so sweet and engaging.

They’re in PK, they learn by playing. And that’s what they would essentially be doing in person and so that’s what we do at home.

Methinks you don't understand Montessori. It is not a play-based curriculum. If want you want is 30 minutes of a sweet engaging teacher and then for your kid to play at home all day, that is 100% developmentally appropriate, but it's not Montessori preschool. You can't do Montessori preschool online.

+1. My child is in Upper Elementary at LAMB. They are doing a hybrid of Montessori, but it is far from a Montessori teaching method. You need too many tactile teaching devices, particularly for math. I don't know how you could do Montessori over a computer screen. I hope someone can figure it for all Montessori schools, but it is unlikely to happen when my child is still at LAMB.

I am concerned about Montessori for distance learning. In primary it's a morning social meeting and 30 minutes of class per week outside of the meet and greets. There IS an expectation that kids know letters and numbers in K, and I can't see how this will get them there. There seems to be an assumption that parents are going to take care of this and so school is just for staying connected. Montessori isn't focusing on core knowledge enough in my opinion. I get DL isn't the model, but now is the time to get it done even if it's not high fidelity adherance.

That is all your primary kid is getting is 30 minutes per week? Why are parents not advocating for more instruction? That is crazy little. I wound highly recommend you supplement at home then - letters and their sounds, numbers, shapes, colors, etc....

My DC just started 1st and about 1/2 the kids are reading already.

Reading comprehension. Try again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lee Montessori Prek/k class A+

A+ for virtual pre-k? Please share the amazing secret that has your 3 year old learning just as well as they would in person from a screen!

The school provided lots of supplies and are NOT requiring my DC to be on the screen for little more than 30 minutes a day. When they are on, teacher is so sweet and engaging.

They’re in PK, they learn by playing. And that’s what they would essentially be doing in person and so that’s what we do at home.

Methinks you don't understand Montessori. It is not a play-based curriculum. If want you want is 30 minutes of a sweet engaging teacher and then for your kid to play at home all day, that is 100% developmentally appropriate, but it's not Montessori preschool. You can't do Montessori preschool online.

+1. My child is in Upper Elementary at LAMB. They are doing a hybrid of Montessori, but it is far from a Montessori teaching method. You need too many tactile teaching devices, particularly for math. I don't know how you could do Montessori over a computer screen. I hope someone can figure it for all Montessori schools, but it is unlikely to happen when my child is still at LAMB.

I am concerned about Montessori for distance learning. In primary it's a morning social meeting and 30 minutes of class per week outside of the meet and greets. There IS an expectation that kids know letters and numbers in K, and I can't see how this will get them there. There seems to be an assumption that parents are going to take care of this and so school is just for staying connected. Montessori isn't focusing on core knowledge enough in my opinion. I get DL isn't the model, but now is the time to get it done even if it's not high fidelity adherance.

That is all your primary kid is getting is 30 minutes per week? Why are parents not advocating for more instruction? That is crazy little. I wound highly recommend you supplement at home then - letters and their sounds, numbers, shapes, colors, etc....

My DC just started 1st and about 1/2 the kids are reading already.

Reading comprehension. Try again.

?? I took the same meaning from the post as PP. Also, my kid just started K at a diverse DCPS and more than 1/2 the class is reading at least somewhat. Yes, you need to know your letters by now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lee Montessori Prek/k class A+

A+ for virtual pre-k? Please share the amazing secret that has your 3 year old learning just as well as they would in person from a screen!

The school provided lots of supplies and are NOT requiring my DC to be on the screen for little more than 30 minutes a day. When they are on, teacher is so sweet and engaging.

They’re in PK, they learn by playing. And that’s what they would essentially be doing in person and so that’s what we do at home.

Methinks you don't understand Montessori. It is not a play-based curriculum. If want you want is 30 minutes of a sweet engaging teacher and then for your kid to play at home all day, that is 100% developmentally appropriate, but it's not Montessori preschool. You can't do Montessori preschool online.

+1. My child is in Upper Elementary at LAMB. They are doing a hybrid of Montessori, but it is far from a Montessori teaching method. You need too many tactile teaching devices, particularly for math. I don't know how you could do Montessori over a computer screen. I hope someone can figure it for all Montessori schools, but it is unlikely to happen when my child is still at LAMB.

I am concerned about Montessori for distance learning. In primary it's a morning social meeting and 30 minutes of class per week outside of the meet and greets. There IS an expectation that kids know letters and numbers in K, and I can't see how this will get them there. There seems to be an assumption that parents are going to take care of this and so school is just for staying connected. Montessori isn't focusing on core knowledge enough in my opinion. I get DL isn't the model, but now is the time to get it done even if it's not high fidelity adherance.

That is all your primary kid is getting is 30 minutes per week? Why are parents not advocating for more instruction? That is crazy little. I wound highly recommend you supplement at home then - letters and their sounds, numbers, shapes, colors, etc....

My DC just started 1st and about 1/2 the kids are reading already.

Reading comprehension. Try again.

You try again. PP said 30 minutes per week outside of the meets and greets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lee Montessori Prek/k class A+

A+ for virtual pre-k? Please share the amazing secret that has your 3 year old learning just as well as they would in person from a screen!

The school provided lots of supplies and are NOT requiring my DC to be on the screen for little more than 30 minutes a day. When they are on, teacher is so sweet and engaging.

They’re in PK, they learn by playing. And that’s what they would essentially be doing in person and so that’s what we do at home.

Methinks you don't understand Montessori. It is not a play-based curriculum. If want you want is 30 minutes of a sweet engaging teacher and then for your kid to play at home all day, that is 100% developmentally appropriate, but it's not Montessori preschool. You can't do Montessori preschool online.

+1. My child is in Upper Elementary at LAMB. They are doing a hybrid of Montessori, but it is far from a Montessori teaching method. You need too many tactile teaching devices, particularly for math. I don't know how you could do Montessori over a computer screen. I hope someone can figure it for all Montessori schools, but it is unlikely to happen when my child is still at LAMB.

I am concerned about Montessori for distance learning. In primary it's a morning social meeting and 30 minutes of class per week outside of the meet and greets. There IS an expectation that kids know letters and numbers in K, and I can't see how this will get them there. There seems to be an assumption that parents are going to take care of this and so school is just for staying connected. Montessori isn't focusing on core knowledge enough in my opinion. I get DL isn't the model, but now is the time to get it done even if it's not high fidelity adherance.

That is all your primary kid is getting is 30 minutes per week? Why are parents not advocating for more instruction? That is crazy little. I wound highly recommend you supplement at home then - letters and their sounds, numbers, shapes, colors, etc....

My DC just started 1st and about 1/2 the kids are reading already.

Yes, I said 15 minutes of small group (2-3 students) twice per week, a morning meeting just 30 minutes every day. We're supplementing at home, but how can you fill in that much of a gap? I'm confused by all the cheerleading in the program. I mentioned this to staff, and I assume he'll get some extra help, but only because I'm a squeaky wheel and know what he's missing in terms of Kindergarten knowledge. Not freaking out, it is PK, but it's damaged my faith in the method that's for sure. Either they think we can all hire a teacher or they are indifferent to grade level accomplishments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Basis - 7th - A+

This is my kid’s rating. She loves it, and I only see her for her to tell me about things she is excited about learning. But it is a LONG day! With few breaks. I have her teams on my phone, so I see all her work and messages with her teachers, and there have been some hiccups but none that she even bothered to mention to me. When a problem comes up, she tells the teacher (after running language past a friend as they learned better results if complaints are edited) they discuss, it is fixed. So I stay out of it. I really couldn’t be happier about what she is learning, and she is giddy and motivated, so even if it wouldn’t be my cup of tea, I’m giving it an A+ for my kid.

Great to hear. I hope we get there someday.
-dispirited 5th grade parent

Sorry to hear you are having a rough go of it, dispirited 5th grade parent. Starting a new school via DL is SO hard - and such a bummer! My kid is in 6th at Basis and things are going fairly well (I give it an A-). I think the key is to keep on top of the daily class assignments and just get them turned in on time/early. Otherwise, they start to pile up and it is is impossible (for me) to find them in the various different locations on Teams. I have my kid go through each class towards the end of the day under the "assignments" tab to make sure nothing falls through the cracks - try that? Seems to be the best way to see what is due most immediately.

Thanks for this. I am seeing this to be the case for sure. I think the school has abdicated a lot of responsibility from themselves to parents- but it doesn't want to admit this. How on earth are working class or poor families with limited time supposed to be spending hours checking their kids assignments every day and making sure their kid is able to find the teacher, assignment etc. Honestly, Basis needs to either tell parents that is part of their job OR teach the kids to do so. But they can't have it both ways.

I disagree. They make it very clear that it is the students' responsibility to keep up, not the parents. I agree it is a steep learning curve, but kids either get it within a few weeks or the school probably isn't the best fit for them. I have never once had to find my child's teacher or assignment. I do random spot checks on returned items, and I read the messages she receives back from teachers as they go to my phone, but it seems the teachers are very available to help when asked. I would make sure that you aren't taking this teaching away. Maybe don't do it for your kid, but have them do it for themselves.

If you think a 5th grader should within two weeks have mastered teams, know how to find workarounds for files and links that don't work, learn how to send a chat to a teacher who DOES NOT KNOW THEIR NAME and who then doesn't respond and continue to follow up, react to chats alerts they can't see, wade through endless messages on chat to find one that is at all relevant to them, master the art of taking images of their work and uploading it, learn to advocate for themselves in a class of 45 students who they can't see and have never met, double check all their assignments but ignoring the ones that aren't assigned to them but show up in their queue anyhow, oh, and also complete all the actual work without parental help, you are insane.

Not the PP to whom you’re responding, but my Basis 5th grader did learn this within a couple of weeks, though I note that PP said “a few weeks.” That said, my child used Teams at her prior school last spring, so the platform was not entirely new.

In any case, Basis is now allowing kids who are struggling with the DL platforms to get on-site assistance beginning October 5. So if your kid falls in this category and you’re unable to assist you should take advantage of this opportunity.

[Anonymous]

Shepherd/PK4/A

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Basis - 7th - A+

This is my kid’s rating. She loves it, and I only see her for her to tell me about things she is excited about learning. But it is a LONG day! With few breaks. I have her teams on my phone, so I see all her work and messages with her teachers, and there have been some hiccups but none that she even bothered to mention to me. When a problem comes up, she tells the teacher (after running language past a friend as they learned better results if complaints are edited) they discuss, it is fixed. So I stay out of it. I really couldn’t be happier about what she is learning, and she is giddy and motivated, so even if it wouldn’t be my cup of tea, I’m giving it an A+ for my kid.

Great to hear. I hope we get there someday.
-dispirited 5th grade parent

Sorry to hear you are having a rough go of it, dispirited 5th grade parent. Starting a new school via DL is SO hard - and such a bummer! My kid is in 6th at Basis and things are going fairly well (I give it an A-). I think the key is to keep on top of the daily class assignments and just get them turned in on time/early. Otherwise, they start to pile up and it is is impossible (for me) to find them in the various different locations on Teams. I have my kid go through each class towards the end of the day under the "assignments" tab to make sure nothing falls through the cracks - try that? Seems to be the best way to see what is due most immediately.

Thanks for this. I am seeing this to be the case for sure. I think the school has abdicated a lot of responsibility from themselves to parents- but it doesn't want to admit this. How on earth are working class or poor families with limited time supposed to be spending hours checking their kids assignments every day and making sure their kid is able to find the teacher, assignment etc. Honestly, Basis needs to either tell parents that is part of their job OR teach the kids to do so. But they can't have it both ways.

I disagree. They make it very clear that it is the students' responsibility to keep up, not the parents. I agree it is a steep learning curve, but kids either get it within a few weeks or the school probably isn't the best fit for them. I have never once had to find my child's teacher or assignment. I do random spot checks on returned items, and I read the messages she receives back from teachers as they go to my phone, but it seems the teachers are very available to help when asked. I would make sure that you aren't taking this teaching away. Maybe don't do it for your kid, but have them do it for themselves.

If you think a 5th grader should within two weeks have mastered teams, know how to find workarounds for files and links that don't work, learn how to send a chat to a teacher who DOES NOT KNOW THEIR NAME and who then doesn't respond and continue to follow up, react to chats alerts they can't see, wade through endless messages on chat to find one that is at all relevant to them, master the art of taking images of their work and uploading it, learn to advocate for themselves in a class of 45 students who they can't see and have never met, double check all their assignments but ignoring the ones that aren't assigned to them but show up in their queue anyhow, oh, and also complete all the actual work without parental help, you are insane.

It sounds like the school isn’t right for your family. Some kids can do it. But some can’t. And that is better to know sooner than later. Good luck wherever you end up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Janney 3rd / C
Deal 6th / A

Janney has been a let down. My kid is doing math that frankly looks like math they might have covered in 1st grade. It’s been like this for weeks. Just videos and round robins with 20 kids sharing the same three thoughts for 25 minutes. It’s probably about average, but I’d struggle to give it more than a C.

Same Janney/2nd/D barely 1.5 hour of instruction and this includes 30 min of teacher reading out loud. The other non cord subjects have zero instruction.. and no language instruction. It’s a joke!

[Anonymous]

Hearst/1st/A

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seaton/1st/B

some classes are really useless, but they have started doing more small groups (math) and 1:1 tutoring (reading), both twice a week. Those are incredibly worthile.

I was losing all hope early on, but now I feel like he will actually make progress this year.

Can we skip the useless classes?

I'm going up to an A for Seaton. They are going big on accurate assessments and small groups, and my kid is thriving. the tutoring is incredible (through reading partners, for a kid who is quite a bit above grade level), and the teacher noticed that he wasn't being challenged enough in the math small group, so she takes him aside for a few minutes for 1:1 time and gives him individual assignments. and they just started a book club with the librarian. I actually think he is going to make more progress this year than he did last year!

I also have a kid in PK3 and while it is very limited, I'm happy. They also do very small (3/4kid) groups and focus on materials, so they facilitate playing with different materials a couple times a day. My little one really likes it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Janney 3rd / C
Deal 6th / A

Janney has been a let down. My kid is doing math that frankly looks like math they might have covered in 1st grade. It’s been like this for weeks. Just videos and round robins with 20 kids sharing the same three thoughts for 25 minutes. It’s probably about average, but I’d struggle to give it more than a C.

Same Janney/2nd/D barely 1.5 hour of instruction and this includes 30 min of teacher reading out loud. The other non cord subjects have zero instruction.. and no language instruction. It’s a joke!

Same Janney/5th/D assignments unclear and confusing, student interface cluttered, reading to kids out loud for long stretches at a time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Janney 3rd / C
Deal 6th / A

Janney has been a let down. My kid is doing math that frankly looks like math they might have covered in 1st grade. It’s been like this for weeks. Just videos and round robins with 20 kids sharing the same three thoughts for 25 minutes. It’s probably about average, but I’d struggle to give it more than a C.

Same Janney/2nd/D barely 1.5 hour of instruction and this includes 30 min of teacher reading out loud. The other non cord subjects have zero instruction.. and no language instruction. It’s a joke!

Same Janney/5th/D assignments unclear and confusing, student interface cluttered, reading to kids out loud for long stretches at a time.

Janney 3rd/D almost no instruction and a lot of unstructured time.. no guidance on how to tackle specials do all in one day? Why isn’t there consistency amongst among on live instruction given across DCPS

[Anonymous]

DP, also Janney/3rd. I give it a B+. There is live instruction everyday, except Wed, in Math and ELA. The independent assignments are clearly spelled out. Science is once a week as well. I’m not sure what PP is referring too.