Update on home learning

Posted: November 3, 2021

Hey everyone! 

Day 234762 of home learning.

JUST KIDDING! It's ONLY day 3!...

I had some parents asking questions about the expectations for home learning. So I am hoping to clarify things a little bit for you. I apologize in advance for my long-windedness :) 

Every morning, I will have a teams meeting on the MS Teams platform. This is at 9:30 am. If your child is ABLE, I would love to see them online. I am continuing our in class routines- weekly message, reading comprehension strategy (inferencing), and a bit of daily math. This typically lasts an hour, but I am willing to stay online longer with the kids if they want to do other activities. 

Then, I send them on their own to finish their daily minutes (90 minutes of learning) and I've provided tons of work in the files section of the MS Teams platform (video to come on how to access for those less technically inclined, like myself!) I'm still available for Teams meetings with small groups of students or one-on-one, if your child doesn't understand something or wants extra help. Additionally, they can drop comments in the chat section of the platform and I will answer them as quickly as possible. 

I've added math worksheets in almost all of the outcomes that we have covered so far this year. I will be adding the rest throughout the week, as well as additional sheets for the items that are already there. The expectation is NOT for students to complete all of this work! They know what topics they find challenging, so have them get some practice on the things that they find most difficult. I am also working on quick "tutorial" videos for each of those items in order to help them with that work. Again, I am available all day to also hop on a call with students who still require more support. 

I've added information for a reading platform called Je Lis. The document will explain everything for you, but if you still have questions, please let me know. I want to give them as many options to support their learning from home as possible. I am also in the provcess of setting up an account for another online platform where students can go and choose from many books to read and listen to- I know that finding French materials to read is timely and difficult. Another post is coming for that learning platform, called Boukili. Some other suggestions for practicing French at home:

-Put on a kid's show in French (Netflix often has a variety of shows that can be turned on in French, and adding subtitles is a great way for your child to get their reading AND oral practice for the day)

-Listen to the weather statements in French, or other kid-friendly announcements

-Check for podcasts designed for kids in French. These ones might be worth checking out! Have your child replay the same message several times. It is amazing how listening to a text several times opens up our comprehension :)

https://www.alliance-francaise.ca/en/culture/online/family/878-4-podcast...

This one is also REALLY cool- all about mythology and legends (and the speaker is not tooooooo fast

https://www.radio-en-ligne.fr/podcasts/mythes-et-legendes 

While we all hope that this ends soon, we are preparing for the potential to have this span the longhaul. I am trying to accommodate all of the different learning paths and realities so be patient, but also reach out. You are your child's best advocate and if you need something, I am here to help. 

At this moment, I will not be collecting work for the purpose of evaluation for report cards. If that changes, I will provide you with an update and help guide you through this process. We are learning all of this together and we will work through it as a team! 

If you still have questions, please send me an email teri.sharpe@nbed.nb.ca and I will reply to you as quickly as possible.

Hang in there, folks!

Mme Sharpe