Virtual Learning for Elementary School-Description by Our Principal

[Anonymous]

The FCPS school choice paperwork stated that each student in upper elementary would receive 3.5 hours of instruction, Monday-Thursday.

Our principal described a typical "virtual learning" day as this:

9:30-9:50 morning meeting

950-10:10: language arts lesson

10:10--teacher holds small reading groups. if it's not your child's reading group day, he goes offline and does work independently

11:10-break for teacher

11:25-Math lesson for 15 minutes

11:40: small group for math--if its not your child's day, he goes off and do their own math work independently

12-1 break for lunch

1-130: specials with a special teacher

1:30: 15 minutes science or social studies lesson (one or the other)

teacher office hours, but not every day.

Is my math wrong or is this nowhere near 3.5 hours of instruction for every kid each day? Even if your child had both reading and math group, that's still nowhere near 3.5 hours?
Is this what everyone else expected? I honestly don't know what I expected, except that there would be 3.5 hours of instruction that was stated in the planning document. The planning document stated instruction, and then after the instructional day, students would complete schoolwork independently. Here the students are doing the work during the instructional time. Am I confused?

For younger children, a parent will have to be nearby to supervise/help with the independent work and log in/log off multiple times.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, that is nowhere near the amount of school time they are supposed to have on the virtual learning plan.

[Anonymous]

Are you counting the reading and math time? Sometimes it’s independent work and sometimes it’s teacher- led, but it still would count as instruction. That adds up to about 3 hours. I’m guessing that the science, social studies, and perhaps other instruction periods would include activities that could add up to a total of 3.5.

[Anonymous]

I actually really love this plan. I think it's consistent, realistic and teacher-directed (without having superfluous or unnecessary screentime).

[Anonymous]

They only promised 2.5 hours for ES. It was 3.5 only for students who needed extra services like ESL or special ed.

Btw, thanks for sharing the schedule, it helps me compare the two options better. At least the DL teacher doesn't have to waste time repeatedly telling the K-2 age kids to keep their masks on or not fiddle with it.

[Anonymous]

That would upset me quite a bit. 15 minute science or social studies? You can’t do both? When do the independent workers get feedback on math/reading?

Also, as a teacher (secondary, so no skin in the elementary game), how is this fair for staff? Those teaching in person will be there 7.5 hours 4 days a week. This schedule is clearly...not that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They only promised 2.5 hours for ES. It was 3.5 only for students who needed extra services like ESL or special ed.

Btw, thanks for sharing the schedule, it helps me compare the two options better. At least the DL teacher doesn't have to waste time repeatedly telling the K-2 age kids to keep their masks on or not fiddle with it.

I’m pretty sure it was 2.5 hours for k-2, 3.5 hours for grades 3-6, and then extra time for esol and special ed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you counting the reading and math time? Sometimes it’s independent work and sometimes it’s teacher- led, but it still would count as instruction. That adds up to about 3 hours. I’m guessing that the science, social studies, and perhaps other instruction periods would include activities that could add up to a total of 3.5.

If a child logs off to do work independently while the teacher meets virtually with other
kids, then no—I would not consider what that child is doing alone to be “instructional time”. Do you? They are working alone at home.

[Anonymous]

There was also a sample plan in earlier versions of the Scenario proposals that was organized like this:

9-10:30--Teacher-Directed instruction
10:30-11--Specials (rotating each day)
11:00-12:00--Break for lunch
12:00-1:00 Teacher-Directed instruction
1:00-3:00 Choice Boards

Sounds reasonable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That would upset me quite a bit. 15 minute science or social studies? You can’t do both? When do the independent workers get feedback on math/reading?

Also, as a teacher (secondary, so no skin in the elementary game), how is this fair for staff? Those teaching in person will be there 7.5 hours 4 days a week. This schedule is clearly...not that.

I want clarification on this. Is an in person teacher showing up to school 2 days a week or 4 days a week to teach two cohorts?

[Anonymous]

I only expected 2.5 hours, based on the SB meeting docs. I would be ok with this plan for my second grader so long as there is feedback on the independent work being done during small group time. Though I'd be happier if the science / social studies block went longer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That would upset me quite a bit. 15 minute science or social studies? You can’t do both? When do the independent workers get feedback on math/reading?

Also, as a teacher (secondary, so no skin in the elementary game), how is this fair for staff? Those teaching in person will be there 7.5 hours 4 days a week. This schedule is clearly...not that.

I want clarification on this. Is an in person teacher showing up to school 2 days a week or 4 days a week to teach two cohorts?

An in person teacher is there five days a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I only expected 2.5 hours, based on the SB meeting docs. I would be ok with this plan for my second grader so long as there is feedback on the independent work being done during small group time. Though I'd be happier if the science / social studies block went longer.

Do you think it’s appropriate amount of instruction for a sixth grader.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They only promised 2.5 hours for ES. It was 3.5 only for students who needed extra services like ESL or special ed.

Btw, thanks for sharing the schedule, it helps me compare the two options better. At least the DL teacher doesn't have to waste time repeatedly telling the K-2 age kids to keep their masks on or not fiddle with it.

I’m pretty sure it was 2.5 hours for k-2, 3.5 hours for grades 3-6, and then extra time for esol and special ed.

I thought this too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There was also a sample plan in earlier versions of the Scenario proposals that was organized like this:

9-10:30--Teacher-Directed instruction
10:30-11--Specials (rotating each day)
11:00-12:00--Break for lunch
12:00-1:00 Teacher-Directed instruction
1:00-3:00 Choice Boards

Sounds reasonable.

This sample schedule has a lot more instruction time than what OP posted.