Distance Learning

What

Why

How

Visual Schedule

Helps the student know what is next.  

Print out schedules & hang in the same area of the day. If you can, laminate the schedule so students can mark off each part of the day.

Set Reminders

We all lose track of time

Set reminders so an alarm will go off reminding students what subject they should be going in. 

Comfortable Chair

...probably not an office chair

Office chairs are difficult to keep still.  Spinning around & not facing the screen is distracting .

Try finding a comfortable chair, or add a pillow.  A chair that is similar to a school chair will work out great.

Privacy Folder

This will feel like school & can have reminders & schedules posted.

You can make one out of a trifold poster.

Set Movement Breaks

Kids need to get up & move their bodies.  Its ok for them to do that, or stand while they listen.

Set a timer.  Movement breaks should not involve playing games or other electronics, just taking a quick walk(especially outside to get some fresh air!), going to get a drink of water or using the bathroom.

Designated Work Space

It should feel like school, not like home. When the student is in this area, he/she should have a learning mindset.

Find a place in your home which will be their “space”.  A desk, the kitchen table, & comfortable chair. Younger students should be in an area where they can be monitored.

Offering Choices

Providing choices can give some sense of control over this unusual situation.

Provide appropriate choices, & remember it's ok to pick your battles.  One example is, “Would you like to work at the desk in your room, kitchen table, or the dining room table?”

Fidgets (not toys)

Keeping our hands busy can often help us keep our brains focused.

It’s important to review how to use a fidget & set rules, such as the fidget should be out of the camera view unless the teacher asks you to share.  

Home Token System 

Giving kids an incentive to complete Google Meets &/or work is a great way to motivate those who need extra encouragement

Create a sticker chart or fill a jar with pom poms every time a child appropriately partakes in a Google Meet or completes a task. Depending on the child's age, a chosen reward can be gained at the end of the week, mid week, or daily if they have received a certain amount of “tokens”.

No extra electronics

It’s important for them to know even though they are not at school, they need to stay in school mode & follow school rules & expectations

Students do not have access to phones, tv,  or video games at school.  Have them put them away until after school. They will become distracting, & even during break time will make the transition back to school work tough!

Ask for Help

We all need it as we navigate this world. It also shows your student that it is ok to ask for help!

Have your student jump onto Google Meet to get extra help from his/her teacher, or you can reach out to your teacher or the school counselor, Mrs. DeVito.

Offer Praise

A word of encouragement goes a long way! It may be the little boost your child needs to continue staying focused & on task. 

When you see your child participating in a Google Meet or working on an assignment independently, a simple word of encouragement or a “thumbs up” is a wonderful way to acknowledge that you are noticing how hard your child is trying!