Opening exercises

Explantation of VLE: A Virtual Learning Environment or VLE is a space for teaching and learning. A virtual classroom is an online learning environment in which students engage with their teachers and their classmates. It will take place in a live, synchronous setting, as well as in an asynchronous setting (not in real time).

Here is a short story about Jayden: Look at the picture below, what do you see and wonder about?

Read the short story to your child or use google read and write.

Activity #1

How will your routine be different this year since you are going to school online? Where will you pray? What space will you use to learn with your teacher and friends online?

Kindergarten to Grade 2

Write or draw the steps (schedule) of your new school experience at home. Click here for an example.

This will help you know what you have to do every morning before logging in to TCDSBVS. This schedule can be placed on your fridge to help you know what’s happening next.

Draw on a piece of paper a venn diagram. On one side of the diagram add words, phrases and pictures that describe your learning space while you are a student at TCDSBVS. On the other side, use words, phrases and pictures to describe your learning space in your home school last year. In the middle write things that might be the same in both.

Activity #2

K-3 Family Learning: Complete this activity with your family. Write your responses on a google document or in your notebook.

1. What will make you feel welcome and special in our virtual school?

2. What are you most looking forward to experiencing in our virtual learning environment?

3. What are 2 of your responsibilities in your virtual classroom and school?

4. As a new family to our virtual school what are 2 hopes and dreams you have for you in learning virtually?

5. As a new family to our virtual school, what are 2 initiatives that administration can implement to support building community virtually?

One of the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations is "A Caring Family Member."

Activity #1

Creating our class norms/pledge

(As a caring member we each will…)”

Three big statements you might start with are:

We take care of ourselves, We take care of one another, we take care of the world”

Look at the pictures and think about each heading, “How can we keep ourselves safe?” or “How might we help ourselves learn new things?”

Task #1

Share your ideas with an adult, draw a picture in your notebook or write your thoughts on your google document in google drive.

Task #2

2. Create a welcome picture/ greeting card or a short one minute video to introduce yourself to share with your class online in synchronous learning. You can upload the video to your google folder.

Click on the link below to try the following activity:

All About the Stuffed Toy: Movement Exploration

Extension Activity:

Create your own movement sequence using different levels, speeds and directions. Use Ophea’s Locomotor Movement Cards to help you create your sequence.

Parent Guide:

• Join in movement activities with your child.

• Read each movement sequence aloud as your child explores the movements.

Consider asking your child the reflection questions below:

• What strategies did you use to be successful?

• What is your favourite method of movement?

• How does changing your level of movement change the speed at which you move?

• What is your child saying?

• What is your child showing?

• How does your child show her/his thinking?

• Families are invited to record what their child is saying, doing or showing and share these observations with your child’s educators.

1. Use a visual schedule, visual supports, and the first-then strategy to assist with organizing the day.

2. Support written text with visuals (pictures).

3. Check for understanding by asking your child to repeat instructions.

4. Give breaks when needed. Space activities during the day to provide for optimal participation. Use a visual timer to assist with task completion.

5. Use the Google Read and Write extension to have text read aloud or write for you.