TK-2 students learn best through play. Most of them are used to specific schedules and structure. A curriculum with the opportunity for structure can benefit all students.

Focus on mindfulness lessons, movement, games, creativity activities, read=alouds, and other hands-on activities that are accessible at home.

TK Planning document: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DBjMsNylF02azXWt-z-I8J-tXyt2gWji/view

*Create a daily home schedule for parents to follow daily that is similar to your normal day. For example:

• Val Verde Unified has a graphic with an example schedule here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16uDWJ2ogTOnKnvHtjXhSnmmF0uTDEXII/view

Preschool, kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade example schedule from Khan Academy

8am - 9am

Breakfast/Get ready (Yes. Change out of PJs)

9am - 9:30am

Khan Academy Kids (ideally doing it while sitting next to a parent or older sibling giving them positive feedback for effort). Khan Academy kids starts at the basics of letters, numbers, and social emotional learning and goes through the first grade standards in math, reading, writing and social emotional learning.

For students with stronger literacy and motor skills:

Khan Academy Kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade math can be appropriate. Ideally a parent or older sibling sits next to them while doing this. One practice that we’ve seen teachers use to great effect is to have all students start on Kindergarten and then move to 1st grade, 2nd grade, etc. This helps ensure that older students are filling in any knowledge gaps that may have accumulated. It also helps build momentum and confidence.

Course challenges and unit tests can be used to accelerate through material. For students with minimal gaps, they should be able to get through a previous year’s content in 1-3 hours.

9:30am - 10am

Play. Ideally outside if weather permits.

10am - 10:30 am

Reading time. Ideally this would be time to read next to a parent or sibling. If students are ready, they can read on their own.

Suggested books (by reading level):

• There are 100+ books that students can read or have read to them on Khan Academy Kids

• The ALSC summer reading list is also a great resource

10:30am - 11:20am

Break. Ideally run around and play outside. Have a snack.

11:20am - 12pm

Writing practice

• Write and illustrate a story about someone having a funny adventure when they stay home sick.

• Draw a picture of what you think a virus looks like. Tell about the different parts and how you think they work.

12pm - 1pm

Lunch - Listen to an educational podcast! Try Wow in the World! If you like science, Stories Podcast or Circle Round to hear a story, or Noodle Loaf to learn about music!

1pm-7pm

Relax, go outside, play, time with family.

7-8pm

Lights out, time to sleep!

Students learn best through multiple approaches and modalities in 3rd-6th grades. Students at this level like structure that includes opportunities for creativity, choice, voice, and movement. When planning, take into consideration ways that students can be actively engaged in many ways that are "outside the box".

Focus on mindfulness, movement, games, creative activities, reading practice, and other hands-on activities that are accessible at home. Audible is now offering student access for free, without log-ins or email address collection for reading and listening practice.

Planning document

*Create a daily home schedule for parents to follow that is simple and provides clear instruction.

For example:

Elementary and Middle School Template (Model-SVUSD)

Miami Dade Model

Choice Boards from Westlake Charter

Westlake Charter

Khan Academy

SFUSD

Mrs. Stafford's 6th Grade Plan

Some considerations for synchronous (live, interactive) sessions with students:

• Students have six or more classes. There needs to be coordination of synchronous sessions so that students do not need to choose which class to attend. For example, as a school site, you may want to consider one of the following options:

  • Option 1 - Hold an office hours session for one of your class periods at the normally scheduled time. If period 2 meets at 9:00 am, then conduct your live session at 9:00 am.

  • Option 2 - Have subject specific times for office hours. Click on this link for a sample schedule from the Hart School District.

  • Option 3: High School Planning Model

• Remember that not all of your students will be able to access online sessions. Some students may need to access a live sessions via phone.

• Establish "classroom" rules while online. For example, with ZOOM,

  • All students should mute their microphone when they are not recognized to talk.

  • Remind students that parents and others are likely watching the ZOOM session. They need to remain respectful and polite.

  • Remind students that the video conference and the corresponding chat may be recorded by someone in the class.

Some considerations for work submission deadlines:

• There must be equity for the students who submit work online and for those who submit paper copies of assignments to the school's office.

• As a school, consider establishing a common day of the week and time when all assignments are due. For example, a school may establish Fridays at noon to turn in all work for the week - regardless of whether the assignment is physical or virtual.

• As a school, consider a single drop-off point for drop-off and collection of work. This will minimize the amount of time students are on campus.

Some considerations for a weekly work cycle to facilitate the processing of student work.
For example:

• Monday - Teachers collect physical work submissions from students. Deliver new materials to the office to be copied for next week's assignments.

• Tuesday-Thursday - Office staff duplicate teacher materials and sort them for student pick-up.

• Friday - Students drop-off physical work submissions and pick up the work for next week. Office staff sorts student work for teacher pick-up.