Resources for Distance Learning

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, I chose to reflect on the challenges educators and learners are facing. Through this reflection, I have created a list of ideas for distance learning. These ideas are designed to be applicable to all students; meaning they do not require technology and should be possible with items found in the home or provided to students by the school. Even if each of your students has access to technology, these ideas may provide a needed relief from the screens.

Although I am not yet a licensed educator, a wonderful professor/educator kindly encouraged me to share my ideas publicly! They may need to be adjusted depending on the grade-level. I created this list with elementary students in mind.

In addition, I have added a public document to the bottom of this page. If you would like, please add any ideas you have!

Here is my list:

o Have students journal; write down their thoughts, what they did during their day, etc.

o Provide students with writing prompts, such as, “If you had $100, what would you spend it on and why?” or “Write about a time someone helped you. How did it make you feel?” or “Write a story about a ninja, outer space, a princess, or all three…”

o Have students read a printed/provided story and write down their thoughts while reading. For example, a prediction they have, a question they have, something they learned, something that surprised them, etc.

o Provide a calendar of the current month to each student and have students write down what the weather was like on each day of the month.

o Provide students with a list of addresses for authors, companies, school administrators, etc. Students would also need to be provided an envelope and stamp. Have students write a letter to the person of their choice, could be from the provided list OR someone they know personally (ex. extended family).

o Have students keep a log of what they eat each day for one week. In addition, have students track how they felt, physically and mentally, each day. Did they have more or less energy than normal? Did they get a stomachache or headache that day? This activity prompts observation and reflection!

o Have students guess the number of items in/on something, then count the items, and compare the prediction to the result. Examples could be noodles in a box, hangers in a closet, socks in a drawer, sticks in the yard, tiles on the floor/ceiling, etc.).

o Have students decorate/transform a toilet paper roll into a telescope, wand, car muffler, rocket, octopus, monster, car, etc. (their choice). Then, have them write a story about their item. It could be an autobiography (from the items point of view) or a biography (the student telling the story of the item).

o Provide students with “Mad Lib” like prompts, having them fill in their choice of word for the correct part of speech.

o If they are comfortable, encourage families to share their address. Then, create a list of students addresses. Provide students with the address list, envelopes, and stamps. Encourage them to write to their classmates!

o As the teacher, write letters back and forth with each student. This could be as simple as writing about your day to answering questions the students submitted.

o Speaking of questions, have students write down questions they have, things they are curious about, or things they would like to learn when back in school.

o Have students keep a tally of something. For example, how many cars pass by the window, each day they were missing school, how many tv shows they watched in a week, etc.

o Provide students with a list of things to look for on a scavenger hunt! The list could be created for typical items found inside the home or for items that could be found in the backyard/on a walk.

o Have students make up a game using materials in their house. They should create a list of rules and try playing the game!

o Provide students with a list of new words and the definitions. Then, have them use at least one word in a sentence or paragraph.

o Create pairs of sight words for students. Have them play a matching/memory game with the sight words, saying the word as they flip the card over.

o Have students write a script and perform it for their family, their stuffed animals, a camera, etc.

o Students could use socks to put on a puppet show.

o Have students create a labeled map of the space of their choice (bedroom, house, classroom, school, neighborhood, etc.).

o Have students bounce a ball at different heights and note the similarities and differences they observe.

o Provide students with a paper puzzle. Have them cut the pieces out and put the puzzle together.

o Have students play charades with a family member.

o Have students play an alphabet game: have them find each letter of the alphabet on different items around the house. Then, write the object/word the letter was found in. For example, A in the word ‘Aveeno’ or B in the word ‘Barbeque.’

o Provide students with a list of riddles/brain teasers, such as:

“What goes up and never comes down?” (Your age).

“Which is heavier, a pound of feathers or a pound of bricks?” (They are the same, both weigh one pound).

“How many months have 28 days?” (All twelve do).

Provide the answers on a separate sheet, so they can think about the riddles without seeing the answer.

o Have students do different exercises (push-ups, sprint, jumping jacks, etc.) for the same amount of time. Have them take and record their pulse after each exercise and compare/contrast!

o Provide each student with a disposable camera and have them document things they’d like to share. Later, the photos can be developed and shared with classmates.

o Have students create a domino effect, Rube Goldberg machine, or marble run.

o Provide students with magazines. Younger students could find each alphabet letter in a magazine, cut the letter out, and glue in alphabetical order onto a piece of paper. Older students could find complete words in a magazine, cut them out, and form the words into a sentence/quote/story.

o Students could engage in math during cooking/baking with measurements, time, temperatures, etc.

o The teacher could reach out to each student with a phone call and talk/check-in/share!

(Created and Organized by: Michaela Swanson)

Document Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VxsLDRl_iwyQD0v1-pWarGONYazjRVqyG8KueOIgVPI/edit?usp=sharing (Anyone with link can edit).