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Distance Learning: PHASE 2

Vision

  • PHASE 1: ( 3/17/20 {Initial Closure} - 4/2/20)
  • PHASE 2 for Distance Learning begins April 13, 2020. 

As we look back on Phase 1 and forward to Phase 2, we are seeking to keep meeting the needs of our families as we go. You, our parents, are truly remarkable for what has been asked of you. Thank you for your hard work. ZCS has identified the following vision for Distance Learning.  

ZCS Distance Learning Vision  

  • Stay Connected While We’re Apart
    • For kids to know they are LOVED by God and others 
    • For families and teachers to remain healthy (Support and sustainable expectations)
    • To maintain the culture of ZCS in a new environment 
  • Advance Student Learning
      • For kids to LOVE learning
      • For kids and teachers to experience growth

Logistics

Learning Management Systems & Communication with Parents and Students

  • A Learning Management System is a software system that serves the delivery of learning content and the organization of learning processes.  For the purpose of unifying the experience of parents, who are now facilitating learning for their kids, we will be streamlining our use of technology to ensure the family experience has more ease.  
  • Kindergarten through 8th-grade teachers will transition from our Phase 1 approach of using email and blogs and various platforms that worked in a short-term mode to a unified system-wide use of SeeSaw or Google Classroom for all classwide communication.
    • Kindergarten through 2nd-grade teachers will communicate through SeeSaw with their full class. Email will be used in communicating with an individual family, student, or parent.  
    • 3rd-grade through 8th-grade teachers will communicate through Google Classroom with their full class. Email will be used in communicating with an individual family, student, or parent.   
  • Young Fives teachers will communicate through email and a week at a glance with their classes. 
  • Preschool will communicate through email with their classes. 

Approximate Learning Time Per Day for Students: 

    • Preschool: 1 hour
    • Young 5s: 1 - 1.5 hour 
    • Kindergarten:  1 - 2 hours
    • 1st - 2nd:  2 hours
    • 3rd - 5th:  2 - 3 hours
    • 6th - 8th:  3 - 4 hours

Differentiation by Teachers and Parents

  • Parents - Make sure your kids are not exceeding these times by great amounts. Use your best judgment at what is best for your child at this time.  Communicate with the teacher if your child needs more work, less work, or accommodations to get through the work.  
  • What’s being communicated to teachers:
    • Teachers - Consider students who need accommodations in length, etc, so that they are completing work in very close to these time frames. Support Services can come alongside these efforts.  Also consider students who may need some additional challenge, as they might move more quickly through the assignment.

Week-At-A-Glance Template

  • Each teacher Young Fives through 8th grade will create a Week-at-a-Glance to families through their Learning Management System by Friday 5 PM of the week prior.  So, for example, by Friday, April 10 all teachers will have their Week-at-a-Glance that communicates assignments to families for April 13 - April 17.  
  • Each Teacher shares their Week-at-a-Glance through a Learning Management Platform (not through an attachment via email).  

Every Wednesday School-Wide: Wonder-Filled Wednesdays

    • Passion Project (optional, not required)
    • Catch Up Time for work already assigned
    • Get Outside!  
    • Specials / Encore Class Option (Art Blog, PE Blog, Elementary FLES, Music Blog)  
    • **No new instructional content is provided on Wednesdays. No new assignments are given for that day. Teachers use this time to provide feedback or connect with individual students as needed and to plan for the next week. 

ZOOM Call Expectations + Scheduling

  • Wednesday is a no zoom call day. 
  • All Zoom calls are scheduled and communicated in the week at a glance with links.
  • 1- 2 Live Session Per day (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri) for English Classes (not to exceed 30 minutes).  
    • Immersion Classes plan to include the 2nd session either recorded or live each day for the purpose of language immersion. If you feel your students need more language input, feel free to include more recorded lessons.   

Feedback to Students

  • Learning Management Systems will make it more seamless to provide feedback to students on the work they are completing, the projects they are creating, etc.  
  • The expectation is for teachers to provide feedback on the work students are completing a minimum of 2x per week.

5 Distance Learning Strategies

    • Parents, here is an example of what educators around the world are learning as we all enter unknown territory. 
  • What stands out in this article:
    • The importance of meeting with small groups virtually. 
    • How essential collaboration between teachers is - 
    • The power of a week at a glance format for families
    • Clear “office hours” where teachers are available - but with boundaries.
    • Utilizing the right technology