Remote Learning FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Remote Learning
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Will work be collected?
We are working to figure out the best way for your child to share some of their work with us if they want to. Please know that there is no expectation for students to submit work. We know that many of you are still adjusting and building routines at home. We are; however, excited to see their samples if they want to share.
We know your children are working so hard (and you are working hard with them!) and it does feel strange for us not to see their daily work! The digital tools families have available right now are different for everyone, so we are thinking about what would work best for most people. This might be our Seesaw website. The kids are familiar with this and know how to use it, we just need to do some work to set it up at home and make sure everyone has access to it. In the meantime, if there is anything you or your child really wants to share or receive feedback on, just let your teacher know through email and we will do our best to answer these questions and provide feedback. In the meantime, if your child needs some motivation to complete the work, you can make a stack or take pictures of the work, telling your child they will be turning it in.
Where else can I find books at the right level for my child?
We’ve attached some new links to the First Grade Remote Learning Website that you might want to check out. There is a “Leveled Book List.” This is a long list of books on various levels. The levels are shown as a letter instead of the DRA numbers. You’ll see a conversion chart below so you can figure out the correct letter to look for. The letters under “Scholastic Guided Reading Level” are the same levels listed on the leveled book list. Look for your child’s DRA level, then notice what letter it corresponds to. For example, if your child is reading a DRA level 12, you would look for Level G book titles on the Leveled Book List.
Once you find your child’s level you can search for the titles on Epic Books. You can create a collection and add them to your child’s library.
We know that the public library also has e-books for check out. Perhaps you can look for some of the titles there.
There is another site called Vooks, but I believe there is a cost for that site.
We’ll keep looking for new resources for leveled books and share those with you or attach them to the website as we find them!
Can you adjust the i-Ready math or reading levels for my child?
We are unable to adjust the levels on i-Ready. As your child completes more lessons, it will adjust to their needs. However, many students have not traditionally done many lessons so the lessons they are getting are based on their diagnostic tests. Have your child work through a few lessons and see if you notice that they are increasing in difficulty. If not, please contact your child’s teacher and they will take a closer look at i-Ready for you. Please remember at this time we are having students review concepts previously taught.
Can teachers host zoom meetings with the class a few times a week to read/ do assignments together/explain assignments/ etc?
This week all of the Gold Rush teachers have been busy learning some new tech tools to use to connect with their classes. We know that some teachers have used Zoom. However, the feedback is mixed when using this with younger kids. They tend to talk over each other and have a harder time hearing everyone. Therefore, the first grade team has decided to begin using a tech tool called Flipgrid as a way to connect with the kids. The kids can videotape a response to a question or prompt and we will be able to see each other. We can also respond to each other. Hopefully you’ve seen the email your child’s teacher sent about how to connect and use Flipgrid. Your teacher will also be sending videos just to say hello and check in. We hope this helps the kids, and us, feel more connected! We sure miss seeing everyone each day!
How can I help my child who is refusing to do writing (or other work) & feeling frustrated?
This is all so new to everyone and it breaks our hearts that we can’t be with your children everyday! We know it can be so frustrating for everyone involved, but especially your children! We brainstormed some ideas to help with this frustration, and we listed them below. However, please know we are always happy to give you, and your child, a call and help however we can! Please also remember that the activities we are sending are not required. You can adjust the assignment as you see fit, take a break and come back to it or choose to not complete it. You can also let us know if your child (or you) are having a hard time with what is being sent home. We will work with you to turn this around and make this as enjoyable as possible!
Some ideas might be:
Gave them a simple task to work on such as handwriting or just adding little by little each day. Adjust the due date as needed to meet your child’s needs!
Create an incentive chart - possibly earning stickers for completing writing pages or sections
If all else fails, abort the task! Right now it is all about practice! We’d love for your child to keep writing daily - or at least a few days a week. This can be anything that might motivate your child!
Perhaps they can write a letter to a friend or family member and ask for a response back. Kids LOVE to get mail and rarely do!
Have them help you with your shopping list
Create lyrics to a song or poem
Create a comic strip!
Write a story together. You write one sentence, then they can add on. Take turns!
Sometimes it helps for them to record their story or what they want to write first, then listen back and write down what they said. Even telling someone their ideas outloud can help.
I was thinking about the science/social studies portion of the sample schedule. Is there anything specific we should be doing with that? Are there materials posted that I am missing?
At this time our priority is literacy and math and therefore we haven't assigned Science or Social Studies just yet. We are easing our way into this remote learning and didn't want to overwhelm anyone with too much work. Everybody's circumstances are so different with some people able to spend more time on school work, while others have very little time to help their kids. But we are thinking about this!
Next week we are incorporating Science or Social Studies into a research project. Before we left for Spring Break we were finishing up a unit learning about famous Americans and American Symbols. This week your child will be choosing an American Symbol or Figure they didn’t research in school and reading about it during reading time. They can also choose an animal, if they’d rather do that. During writing they will paraphrase what they read (a skill we’ve worked on in school), creating a book teaching others about their topic. We’ll figure out a way for the kids to share these!
Later, we are thinking of ways we could incorporate the science topic we usually do this time of year - life cycles of plants and insects. We’ll let you know what we come up with!
Here are some more resources:
LInks to DIY experiments:
15 Very Simple Science Experiments Using Ingredients You Have At Home
Free Science Websites:
Brain Pop is offering free family subscriptions
Wonderville: Free right now to sign up
Are there more math worksheets as opposed to games?
We are working on adding the following links to the First Grade Remote Learning Website . These websites provide some wonderful higher-level thinking activities for your kiddos!
Greg Tang Math - has a lot of worksheets.
This week we added some Fluency Practice Worksheets from our Pearson math curriculum to Friday’s work.
*We will keep looking for more resources to add to our website!