Distance learning for K and younger

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kindergartener is doing distance learning with a private international school (we are based overseas) and I think they’ve been doing a great job. Yes, it’s more screens than I would like under normal circumstances, but given the situation, what can you do? Her primary teacher provides a video each morning where she talks to the class and goes through their typical morning meeting routine and then discusses the overall schedule for the day. Then for each day there are 5-6 segments with a mix of art/math/physical activity/reading/Writing/foreign language study etc. Each segment has a short video introduction/lesson by the appropriate teacher, followed by a mix of related written/drawing/app based interactive assignments for them to complete at home. Some fun songs and stories are also included each day.?We post each completed project/assignment for feedback from the teacher or occasionally to share with the whole class. Additionally there are 3 zoom meetings per week- one individually for us/our child and her teachers, one in a small peer group, and one with the whole class. it does require a lot of parent oversight and involvement which is a little tough since spouse and I are both still working from home, but not sure how you get around that at this age.

We just started this week but this is what they have outlined at our private. Basically a math/reading/writing segment each day -- to be done "asynchronously" so not while on video with the teacher. A slate of art/music/library/science segments too, which fill out the week and can be done when you choose.

For live stuff, there's a one-on-one video call with teachers weekly, and a group meeting weekly. They are thinking of adding in some group singalongs and story time.

I agree it reuires a lot of parent oversight but I have no idea how they could do it otherwise. You can't really expect a 5 yo to work independently.

The teachers' view is do what you can, and don't worry about the rest. That's fine with me, because we're both working, have other kids, and it's just K. they will catch up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I attended a class led Zoom at my child's school and it was total mayhem. The teacher was not able to control the talking in the same way he would in the classroom, so it just ended up being a lot of yelling and distractions from all directions. We have not had one since. younger students just are not ready for the same setup that older students might take to more readily.

Our teacher has done it and it went better. You need a parent with each kid. The teacher should also mute the whole class first and then explain rules for this new format. Then the teacher mostly talks and give kids a chance to talk by unmuting each child one at a time and calling on them.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you for all the substantive input!

[Anonymous]

We started this week for my PreK and 1st grader. Each kid has a scheduled Zoom call everyday for 30 mins. The class is divided into two groups so there are only 8 kids on a call.
The teacher will start individual zoom calls with each kid once a week next week. We have activities and assignments sent by email each week. Priority every day is reading, writing, and math for 1st grader. Specials assignments are optional. PreK priorities are phonics related activities, math, and being read to. There are video links for some things. It requires a lot of parent support. No way around it at that age. The daily zoom call in the morning with half the class works well and sets the tone for the day.

[Anonymous]

We are getting a video every morning from one of my DC's teachers, which is basically the equivalent of their circle time, with a task.

There are videos made by the "specials" teachers, leading the kids through some kind of activity that they can do on their own. (My DC4 was just fine doing the virtual PE class without supervision, for instance, following the PE teacher's video instructions.)

There are videos of the teachers reading a book, together with follow-up activities.

There are other suggestions for activities if you have time.

Work is submitted back through Seesaw. The teachers return comments. The work is optional, though.

One of the room parents took on the task of scheduling one on one video calls between the kids.

There is a very brief weekly video call with the teachers.

I'd love to see more interaction, personally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm really tired of this distance learning nonsense for the younger than kindergarten kids. When we're being honest, it's just a way for the school to justify shifting the financial burden of this pandemic to the parents instead of insurance or school reserves.

Do I need the school gym teacher to send me Cosmic yoga clips for my kids to watch? No.

Yes, my children love their teachers and miss them and their friends terribly. But we all see through these You Tube story times. This may not be sustainable as unemployment numbers rise across all industries.

+1000

And double for PPA / britAm, atoddert sports. I don’t need more online content.

Plus I’m full away all the counties in the area are refunding field permits, which of course were a fraction of what even one player paid. Plus they qualify for stimulus as a small biz or extra stimulus unemployment for four months(which will
Be more than their PT coaching weekly wages). I know, I can get unemployment for my Ymca class I teach on the side. Plus extra stimulus.i was laid off last week and boss sent unemployment email then too. What a racket.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm really tired of this distance learning nonsense for the younger than kindergarten kids. When we're being honest, it's just a way for the school to justify shifting the financial burden of this pandemic to the parents instead of insurance or school reserves.

Do I need the school gym teacher to send me Cosmic yoga clips for my kids to watch? No.

Yes, my children love their teachers and miss them and their friends terribly. But we all see through these You Tube story times. This may not be sustainable as unemployment numbers rise across all industries.

This totally. Spouse works from home and school age kid needs my full attention to access distance learning. Preschool has daily Zoom meetings lasting 40 minutes and sends home activities as well and the preschool after care teacher is also doing several sessions a week. I agree this is all about justifying the tuition they continue to bill.

[Anonymous]

OP, what exactly isn’t going well? If you provide details of what isn’t working on your end, we can share what we are seeing in those areas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm really tired of this distance learning nonsense for the younger than kindergarten kids. When we're being honest, it's just a way for the school to justify shifting the financial burden of this pandemic to the parents instead of insurance or school reserves.

Do I need the school gym teacher to send me Cosmic yoga clips for my kids to watch? No.

Yes, my children love their teachers and miss them and their friends terribly. But we all see through these You Tube story times. This may not be sustainable as unemployment numbers rise across all industries.

This totally. Spouse works from home and school age kid needs my full attention to access distance learning. Preschool has daily Zoom meetings lasting 40 minutes and sends home activities as well and the preschool after care teacher is also doing several sessions a week. I agree this is all about trying to justify the tuition they continue to bill.

agree, takes facetime to a new meaning and level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm really tired of this distance learning nonsense for the younger than kindergarten kids. When we're being honest, it's just a way for the school to justify shifting the financial burden of this pandemic to the parents instead of insurance or school reserves.

Do I need the school gym teacher to send me Cosmic yoga clips for my kids to watch? No.

Yes, my children love their teachers and miss them and their friends terribly. But we all see through these You Tube story times. This may not be sustainable as unemployment numbers rise across all industries.

This totally. Spouse works from home and school age kid needs my full attention to access distance learning. Preschool has daily Zoom meetings lasting 40 minutes and sends home activities as well and the preschool after care teacher is also doing several sessions a week. I agree this is all about trying to justify the tuition they continue to bill.

agree, takes facetime to a new meaning and level.

Exactly!!!!

[Anonymous]

I'm a SAHM with a K and 3rd grader. Their private school has provided a ton of online learning, including some YouTube videos of teachers, and some paper-based work.

I'm finding that my 3rd grader needs help with accessing the online material and figuring out the math. So I'm devoting most time to helping her.

We're trying to keep our K off screens for a good chunk of the day. I do some of her screen work with her and then let her watch some by herself (e.g., the books her teachers have recorded). We consider it a success when she'll write/draw in her journal, play with Legos, read books independently and then spend time outdoors. We're also adding in some household stuff - for example, emptying the silverware from the dishwasher is good sorting practice.

[Anonymous]

I have a PS 4 and a PKer. I have been incredibly disappointed with the "distance learning" at this point and believe the school has to do something just to justify continuation of tuition as has been mentioned before in this forum.

In any kids under K it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out fun, engaging, and learning things to do with them throughout the day. I personally have been having so much fun connecting with my two in ways I haven't before and teaching so many skills that we now have time to learn together.

I found the schools "distant learning" to be a joke and not worth my energy or time.

My husband and I decided to go ahead and unenroll our children and file a claim with the tuition refund insurance company. For some this may seem petty; but in our minds that part of the reason you buy insurance....

[Anonymous]

My school has been very disappointing. There are NO interactive sessions. The teachers record a couple of videos and send a bunch of activities which can be pretty demanding on the parents. The PE teacher for example, instead of leading an activity the children could follow, spends 10 minutes explaining how the parents should set up and lead an activity they suggest. They also demand us to submit outputs from these activities daily in order to check attendance. I am really upset to continue paying them for giving me more work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My school has been very disappointing. There are NO interactive sessions. The teachers record a couple of videos and send a bunch of activities which can be pretty demanding on the parents. The PE teacher for example, instead of leading an activity the children could follow, spends 10 minutes explaining how the parents should set up and lead an activity they suggest. They also demand us to submit outputs from these activities daily in order to check attendance. I am really upset to continue paying them for giving me more work.

Same here. Except our PE teacher just posted a few YouTube videos.

[MayaJ]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm really tired of this distance learning nonsense for the younger than kindergarten kids. When we're being honest, it's just a way for the school to justify shifting the financial burden of this pandemic to the parents instead of insurance or school reserves.

Do I need the school gym teacher to send me Cosmic yoga clips for my kids to watch? No.

Yes, my children love their teachers and miss them and their friends terribly. But we all see through these You Tube story times. This may not be sustainable as unemployment numbers rise across all industries.

Exactly. Total scam. Our school is doing online meetings from 10-11 two days a week. For PreK, total crap!

Same here. And we had already submitted a deposit for next year. I wish I could get that back, who knows if we will be operational by the fall!