Jul 14 2020

Why It Is Important That Students Measure Their Academic Progresss

Why It Is Important That Students Measure Their Academic Progress

Measuring Academic Progress Series, Part 1 of 3

This past spring, distance learning disrupted classroom learning for millions of students. As we think about how to improve their educational experience, we must consider how students can self-assess. There is a recognition that engaging students in assessment and having them become assessors of their own learning has significant benefits for academic growth. Research supporting this new focus in learning can be found at https://teachingcommons.stanford.edu/resources/teaching/evaluating-students/assessing-student-learning/student-self-assessment.

Alternative Assessments

Families who have sheltered in place and have become “COVID homeschool teachers” of their children generally rely on feedback from teachers regarding day to day assessments rather than large-scale tests to monitor progress. These large-scale tests may include performance assessments, authentic assessment, portfolio assessments, and assessments that allow students to display, demonstrate, and explain their learning. Samples of these alternative types of assessments can be reviewed at https://www.teach-nology.com/currenttrends/alternative_assessment/. [Read more…]

Apr 28 2020

Supporting Your Child’s Schedule for Distance Learning

It’s worth acknowledging here that our world has changed drastically since sheltering in place due to COVID-19. From an education standpoint, teachers frantically raced against the clock to transition all their lessons to online distance learning, while simultaneously learning said online platform. On the home front, parents faced the new reality of spending 24/7 with their children all while trying to manage working from home. We’re in a topsy-turvy situation at best! Now that school districts across the nation have announced distance learning for the remainder of this school year, how can parents best support their children’s schedule while at home? [Read more…]

Apr 21 2020

Distance Learning Best Practices for Middle and High School Students

California’s parents continue to feel overwhelmed as they become their child’s primary classroom teacher for the rest of the school year. While parents feel overwhelmed, they can take comfort that schools are implementing supports for their children. As a leader of two middle schools and a high school in Los Angeles County, our team has instituted the following best practices to ensure that all of our students have equal access and adequate support to succeed this current school year:

All students have been issued computers and online access to all classes.
Each class is staffed by a certificated teacher with a paraeducator to provide individualized instruction to students as needed.
Students log into Goggle Meet for three hours of classes each day in addition to completing two hours of projects and independent study assignments.
An afterschool program is available to students from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. each day. The program offers homework support through small group discussions. Creative clubs provide college guidance, physical fitness, and performing arts activities.

[Read more…]

Apr 14 2020

A Distance Learning Book Club

As we continue to shelter in place, we have many students in our class who love to write and make books. Earlier in the school year, I challenged my students to complete a demanding math assignment with the promise that they could write a story in their journal once they completed their work. The students were empowered. I then had several of them read their stories to their peers to help each author develop his or her story. Through this reflective activity, the students were eager to peer review each other’s work. After more class discussions about writing books, I asked a classroom volunteer to read a book she had recently published to the class. They were enthralled with the story and how the author self-published her book. [Read more…]

Apr 07 2020

Distance Learning: Are We Having Fun Yet?

As we approach our third week in quarantine, I am sure you are experiencing many stages of transition. Discomfort probably runs to the top of the list. Now that we are passed the initial shock of are we really doing this, it is time to get serious.

Living in the Epicenter

What I know for sure is that routine is the key to survival. I saw that Khan Academy posted an online schedule that impressed me due to its comprehensive nature. However, the most imperative part of the schedule was the first order of business:

8 a.m. – 9 a.m.

Breakfast/Get Ready (Yes, Change Out of PJs!)

https://docs.google.com/document/u/1/d/e/2PACX-1vSZhOdEPAWjUQpqDkVAlJrFwxxZ9Sa6zGOq0CNRms6Z7DZNq-tQWS3OhuVCUbh_-P-WmksHAzbsrk9d/pub

Yep, believe it or not changing out of your pajamas is helpful for maintaining normalcy in an environment that is static physically but incredibly dynamic electronically. This is also not the time to be enforcing screen time minutes. This is survival mode. Today’s child was made for this condition. And while we adults might be finding it difficult, the children are thriving. [Read more…]