Kindergarten Remote Learning Plan

Dear Kindergarten Families,

The Plains school kindergarten team has developed a remote learning plan for our students based on the guiding principles and specific recommendations from the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. We have taken into account social-emotional and mental health needs, equity, and the importance of maintaining the connection between teachers and students. Our goal is to help students engage with resources in their everyday lives and in the natural world around them along with internet resources and the academic packets.

We feel it is important to balance learning through technology and the remote learning that can happen offline to support students’ curiosity and understanding. The MA Department of Education recommends that students engage in meaningful and productive learning for approximately half the length of the regular school day. This three hours of daily learning will take place via a combination of educator-directed learning and student self-directed learning. This 3 hours of learning not only focuses on core academic subjects, but includes areas such as physical activity, arts-based enrichment, exploring nature, building, reading and discussing stories. We do not want children to sit and work on worksheets for three hours a day. We know that for our kindergarten students, both the educator-directed and self-directed learning will require the support of caregivers at home in order to be successful.

Teachers will provide resources and ideas for activities on this site and provide some direct teaching. Some examples of direct teaching/remote learning include: pre-recorded videos, live chats/lessons, letter writing, emails, work packets, and projects. The manner in which the direct teaching is delivered will vary by teacher. The MA Department of Education has acknowledged that the individual student experience will vary depending on student age and family needs. Teachers will continue to be available to provide support and feedback on the completed work and activities.

So what does the kindergarten plan look like?

*We say PICK 3!

Monday -Thursday (or any 4 days a week) pick three activities to do each day either from this site or the activity packet. Maybe you choose to do two sheets in the new packet and then pick one idea from this site or visit one new link listed here that you haven’t had a chance to explore. Maybe the following day you pick three ideas from this site or three sheets from the packet.

*We also suggest reading (you read to your child and your child reads to you) and writing a little everyday. You could start a story, create a science journal, make a grocery list. Write a sentence each day and add illustrations.

*Make time for FUN Friday or Field Trip Friday (It does not have to be on a Friday). Maybe on Fun Friday you make cookies or work on a home improvement project. Maybe you take a nature walk or go on a virtual trip to a museum.

Try to pick at least one activity from each academic area by the end of the week. We want to leave the weekly “assignments” flexible so that you can develop a plan that works best for your family and your child’s needs. Please remember that this is only a suggested plan of action and modifications can be made to meet the needs of each child. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this plan or would like help adapting this plan to fit the needs of your family and schedule, please contact your child’s teacher.

We appreciate all that you are doing to balance your daily schedules and support your child through this challenging time!

Sincerely,

Plains Kindergarten Team