Anonymous wrote:As I parent, I felt overwhelmed by multi page activity packets. Many activities required art supplies and tools that we don’t have. Running out to find pipe cleaners during a pandemic? No thanks. I stopped reading the emails and printing the activity stuff by week 2. I also have older children, in gr 1 and 2, who needed help with distance learning. Their schooling took priority. I have a toddler too. So I let the toddler and preschooler just play.

Anonymous wrote:My Pre-K daughter had live Zoom with half of her class (9 kids) for 30 mins on MWF. She had small group Zoom with 4-5 kids on Tues and Thursday for math/reading and a 1on1 FaceTime call with her teacher once a week. She also had 30 minutes of specials classes 2-3 times a week.

Kids were always expected to participate and were called on. No one was on mute unless the teacher needed to get the group quiet for a few minutes. The best classes were the small groups and when the teacher did math and reading by using visuals through the "shared screen". Trying to read stories with a book in hand through Zoom is the LEAST effective way to teach. It just doesn't translate. Online books through the shared screen were good.

Theme days were also effective and a great way to get the kids excited to be there. Kids could wear Pjs, super hero costumes, silly hats, or bring their favorite stuffed animal to class on different days. Show and tell was a very important part of getting kids to participate. At that age, they love bringing something to class.

Online instruction must be in smaller groups at this age. You cannot teach 18+ kids effectively on one zoom call. It just doesn't work. Teachers need to split it up and hold multiple calls.

Anonymous wrote:I'm very curious about what kind of learning is going on over Zoom in 4 year olds' classes! Math and reading small groups? What and how?