Primary Continuous Learning

GRADES 1 - 5

Continuous Learning in the Primary supports children’s development through experiential learning and inquiry. Learning offers authentic opportunities to focus on key concepts, knowledge, and skills. Learning engagements are fun and playful and emphasize interaction and creativity. Activities involve a balance of on-screen and off-screen tasks designed to engage learners in experiences that connect to previous learning and the current curriculum.

Our Approach

Learning is holistically focused, giving students the opportunity to develop cognitive, physical and social-emotional skills.
Students conduct most of their learning in English or German and will be invited to conduct some of their learning in their Home and Family language.
Learning engagements are differentiated, challenging, include open-ended inquiries and are relevant to past and present learning.
Learning engagements encourage children and families to participate in some tasks together.
Learning connects to current units of inquiry and our set grade level curriculum.
Art and creative design projects are intended to provide children with opportunities to develop creativity, expression and fine-motor skills.
Physical education activities will help with general health and well-being and encourage interaction with family members.
Music projects are intended to provide students with opportunities to develop creativity, expression and the role of music in their culture/family/personal lives.
Opportunities and prompts support students to share their feelings, considering how they can manage concerns they may experience as a result of the situation.

Daily Routines and Expectations for Students and Families

Clipart,clip art,illustration,graphic,diverse - free image from ...

Students

Establish daily routines for engaging in the learning experiences (e.g. 8:30 am start).
Identify a comfortable, quiet space in your home where you can work effectively and successfully.
Regularly monitor Seesaw to check for learning tasks and feedback from your teachers.
Complete assignments with integrity and academic honesty, doing your best learning.
Meet commitments and due dates.
Communicate proactively with your teachers if you cannot meet deadlines or require additional support.
Collaborate and support your peers in your learning, where possible.
Comply with User Agreement Guidelines including expectations for online etiquette.

House | Free Stock Photo | Illustration of a house | # 14477

Families

Establish routines and expectations.
Monitor communications from your child's teacher.
Take an active role in helping your child process their learning.
Establish times for quiet and reflection and provide time for your child to have ownership over their own use of time and activity.
Encourage physical activity and/or exercise.
Be mindful of your child’s well-being; speak to them regularly about concerns or challenges and inform homeroom teacher if support is needed.
Monitor how much time your child is spending online.
Communicate concerns or questions with the teacher via email.
Please keep in mind that this is a new situation and way of learning for our whole community; flexibility and simple kindness will be appreciated.
Our teachers will do their best to respond to communication in a timely manner, and your patience will be much appreciated.

Daily Routines and Expectations for Teachers

Worldwide community | Public domain vectors

Homeroom Teachers

Start the day with a live or pre-recorded, posted video for students on Seesaw by 8:45 am.
Share the learning for the day with students and families through the use of Seesaw activities or a Seesaw post.
Plan activities that are easily understood and facilitated by parents/guardians.
Provide opportunities for students to share their learning, relevant assessments and reflections on Seesaw.
Provide reflection and feedback on the student’s posts on Seesaw or Google Classroom.
Provide opportunities for students to work collaboratively through a virtual environment, when school is closed longer than two weeks.
Provide time and opportunities for students to have agency over their own learning during this time.
Provide activities that include time away from the devices.
Document learning and teaching engagements on the grade level overview.
Check-in with students/parents regarding social and emotional well-being related to the reason for the campus closure and inform the school counselor, if necessary, for follow up.

Specialist Teachers

Contribute daily activities.
Plan activities that are easily understood and facilitated by parents/carers.
Provide opportunities for students to share their learning, relevant assessments and reflections on Seesaw or Google Classroom.
Provide reflection and feedback on the student’s posts on Seesaw or Google classroom.

Counselor

Serve as support for teachers, students and families.
Host office hours at set times for students to access counseling sessions virtually and share with parents on web-site.
Support teachers to provide students with well-being activities.
Check on students who would most likely benefit from continued counseling sessions.
Check in with parents whose children are supported through counseling services.

Learning Support/EAL Teachers

Collaborate with homeroom teachers in order to plan for students on their caseload.
Scaffold, modify or differentiate activities, as necessary, for students on their caseload.
Communicate regularly with students on their caseload and/or their parents to ensure they have success with tasks.
Provide supplementary learning activities for students on their caseload, who may benefit from additional practice to support their individual needs.
Monitor student learning and provide feedback and next steps.

EdTech Teacher/Librarian

Collaborate with colleagues to find resources for high-quality learning experiences and research.
Regularly check in with homeroom teachers to identify ways to support the design of learning experiences.
Be available for teachers as needed to support the development of rich learning engagements and search out new resources.
Continually monitor the needs of teachers, students, and parents and troubleshoot their challenges, as needed.
Be available in person or remotely to provide on-demand tech support help for teachers.

Learning Assistants

Communicate regularly with classroom teachers to identify ways they can support students and contribute to the learning.
Monitor student learning and provide feedback to students, as requested by the teachers and teams they support.
Make themselves available via email to support questions about the activities, as needed from 8:30-12:00 and two afternoons a week.

Primary Leadership Team

Send a daily morning memo to staff with updates and general information.
Stay informed about situation and communicate regularly with school community.
Communicate regularly with the Director.
Reach out to families whose children have not yet engaged with continuous learning.
Answer questions, monitor and give feedback to staff on the shift to continuous learning.
Respond to parent concerns and feedback.
Host online staff and team meetings, as needed.
Members of the Primary Leadership Team are available via email to answer questions as needed.

Page updated

Report abuse