What should be posted on my Teacher Website?
Use the Teacher Website to provide static updates, resources, contact information, office hours and availability, and to communicate your Learning Management System (LMS) for sharing new content.
What Learning Management System (LMS) should be used to deliver digital content?
Use Google Classroom in Grades K-8 or an approved platform (by your Principal).
Use Google Classroom or Canvas in Grades 9-12
Why use an LMS to deliver remote learning instruction?
To provide a central location for resources, assignments, and communication rather than scattered across separate emails, systems, or websites
To communicate with students directly and in groups
To allow for the delivery of assignments and content
To allow for the submission of assignments and artifacts from students
Provides the ability to give direct feedback to students
Provides the ability to simultaneously collaborate with other students
To receive and respond to student questions
To deliver quizzes and assessments to students
To be able to add Principal, AP, and any other support staff (determined by the Principal) as Co-teachers
Who needs to have access to my LMS?
Assign your Principal, AP, Instructional Coach, Literacy Coach, and other support staff (determined by the Principal) as a Co-Teacher in your Google Classroom or Canvas Course.
How quickly should I respond to students or parents?
Respond to parents and students within a 24 hour time period or the next business day.
Do I need to communicate office hours?
Post office hours of at least 2 hours each day through the LMS and your website. Work with your team to provide flexible office hours to increase coverage.
As a teacher, how much instructional/work time should I expect from my students who are learning remotely?
Adjust lessons for remote learning. The volume of independent work will not keep students busy for the number of hours they're usually in school. REMINDER: Many families have limited data or internet access and one device that may be shared between multiple family members.
K - 2 Elementary: Math (20-25) ELA (20-25) Science or Social Studies(Reading) (20-25) Elective (15) = 1.5 - 2 hours (approximately)
3 - 5 Elementary: Math (30-45) ELA (30-45) Science or Social Studies(Reading) (20-30) Elective (20-30) = 2 - 2.5 hours (approximately)
Middle School: Math (30-45) ELA (30-45) Science (30-45) Social Studies (30-45) Electives (15-20) each = 3 - 3.5 hours (approximately)
High school: 45-60 per course = 3.5 - 4 hours (approximately) *This will vary per course load.
What time frame should I set for due dates and submissions of digital learning artifacts?
Set due dates, provide multiple days to complete, and provide consistent reminders for all assignments. Please remember to be flexible. Not all students will have online access immediately and many will be sharing devices with other family members.
How should I grade remote learning assignments?
The Curriculum Department will work with Accountability to establish grading procedures as a next step. You will receive more information about grading soon.
What should I consider when building digital lessons?
Continue with the pace of instruction to the best of your ability by posting and/or providing new content.
Align all resources and lessons to your content standards. Keep this component of the DCS Instructional Framework in mind.
Collaborate with your grade level, department, subject area teachers regularly to design lessons that incorporate the 4C’s and the SAMR Models.
What should I expect from my students when learning at home?
Establish your expectations for students and include the district’s expectations for students.
Contact any student and/or parent who is inactive. Work with your school counselor/school social worker.
Be the first line of student support to troubleshoot remote learning issues. A “help desk” system for technical and instructional support is being established and will be communicated to you soon.
Can I use video conferencing platforms to meet with students directly?
Yes, beginning Monday, March 30, teachers will be able to use Google Apps for Education and Video Conferencing Platforms for delivering resources and content to students. Review the March 25 update on the HOME Page for more information. Remember to treat webcams and mics as if they are always live.
We ask that you give yourself, students, and parents plenty of grace during this time. This is an adjustment for everyone, and we all want to be patient as we navigate this unique situation. Be flexible with deadlines, especially as we get started, and everyone adjusts to remote learning. Please be cautious of not overwhelming students and parents with too much too soon. Also, build a positive “online culture” with your students to show them you understand the concerns they may be feeling during these uncertain times. This can be done through:
videoing/recording a message to your students.
a read-aloud from a book with an uplifting message.
posting encouraging messages in your platform.
adding your personal touch on your assignments through bright colors/graphics.
any other ways you can help ease students’ minds during this time.
Set office hours and communicate to students/families how you can be contacted.
Provide a way for targeted students and/or families to do a regular check-in. The focus would be on continued support and maintaining connections with your students.
Work with teachers to contact students who are inactive during remote learning and determine the supports that are needed for these students. Work with school administrators to provide these supports.
Provide self-care, motivational, and uplifting messages/practices for students, staff, and parents.
Work with classroom teachers to integrate and blend social-emotional support into teacher lessons.
Maintain regular communication with school administrators on other ways to support teachers and students during remote learning.
Provide remote learning support to teachers with their LMS and instructional tools. (Google Classroom, Google Suite Tools, extensions, etc.)
Maintain the District Help Desk/Work Order System (more information coming soon).
Provide teachers with assistance on how to convert face-to-face, classroom instructional strategies/practices into remote learning lessons.
Design digital citizenship lessons that can be provided for students.
Provide virtual professional development and resources for teachers.
Maintain regular communication with school administrators on other ways to support teachers and students during remote learning.
As a Co-Teacher in teachers’ LMS, provide feedback and support regularly.
Facilitate virtual PLCs on a regular basis. Focus on the priority standards and skills, as well as, student mastery of standards and content.
Provide remote learning support to teachers with their LMS and instructional tools. (Google Classroom, Google Suite Tools, extensions, etc.)
Maintain the District Help Desk/Work Order System (more information coming soon).
Provide teachers with assistance on how to convert face-to-face, classroom instructional strategies/practices into remote learning lessons.
Provide virtual professional development and resources for teachers.
Maintain regular communication with school administrators on other ways to support teachers and students during remote learning.
District Directors/Coordinators will communicate a plan for how to support students and classroom teachers during remote learning.
What should I be responsible for during remote learning?
Keep up with posted assignments and deadlines in all classes.
Set a routine for learning. Examples: dedicated time for instruction and a comfortable place to work
Actively participate each day (M-F) and communicate with your teacher(s).
Be a good digital citizen at all times.
Approximately how long should I be spending on lessons each day?
K - 2 Elementary: Math (20-25) ELA (20-25) Science or Social Studies(Reading) (20-25) Elective (15) = 1.5 - 2 hours
3 - 5 Elementary: Math (30-45) ELA (30-45) Science or Social Studies(Reading) (20-30) Elective (20-30) = 2 - 2.5 hours
Middle School: Math (30-45) ELA (30-45) Science (30-45) Social Studies (30-45) Electives (15-20) each = 3 - 3.5 hours
High school: 45-60 per course = 3.5 - 4 hours (This will vary per course load.)
What should I do if I have a problem with accessing assignments?
Contact teachers if you have questions or difficulties accessing materials, resources or instruction.
What should I be responsible for during remote learning?
Be patient and supportive of students and teachers.
Set routines and schedules for learning.
Stay up-to-date with communication from your child’s school and the district.
Keep contact information up-to-date with the school and district.
Approximately how long should my child spend on lessons each day?
K - 2 Elementary: Math (20-25) ELA (20-25) Science or Social Studies(Reading) (20-25) Elective (15) = 1.5 - 2 hours
3 - 5 Elementary: Math (30-45) ELA (30-45) Science or Social Studies(Reading) (20-30) Elective (20-30) = 2 - 2.5 hours
Middle School: Math (30-45) ELA (30-45) Science (30-45) Social Studies (30-45) Electives (15-20) each = 3 - 3.5 hours
High school: 45-60 per course = 3.5 - 4 hours (This will vary per course load.)
What should I do if my child has a problem with accessing assignments?
Contact teachers if you have questions or difficulties accessing materials, resources or instruction.
We know you may have questions about some very important events such as standardized testing (EOG, EOC, AP, etc.), calendar changes, graduation, prom, athletics, etc. Unfortunately, we will not know about any of these important events for students until we receive guidance from our national and state government officials and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. We understand that this is frustrating for students and parents. We will communicate with you as soon as we learn anything regarding these events.