Teacher Guidance for Flexible Teaching & Learning

• Practice using the tools before the closure. This is critical for success.

• This is also a great time to review digital citizenship and responsibility.

• Establish daily schedules

• Collaborate w/ your teaching team eLearning Team Daily Plan Template or COW Template Decide on which one as a team and share with specials teachers, special ed teachers, and WIN teachers.  Streamlining makes it simple for students and their families.
• No more than 2 1/2-3 hours of screen time (take into account videos, video lessons, time to do device-required assignments, etc.).

• Know which benchmarks and learning targets are absolutely essential and the focus for the time period.

• Be clear about these and make sure to provide simple learning experiences that align to these and engage the learner. Quality, Not Quantity.
• This is not a time to assign busy work.

• Clearly communicate the learning targets, daily/weekly schedules and expectations to students and families frequently.
• Break learning into smaller chunks and be explicit.

• Specify task requirements and length clearly (ex. 5 minute audio recording with a bulleted checklist)

• Consider making video instructions for a task instead of written instructions.
• Design independent learning opportunities that don’t involve needing much adult support (most parents will not be available).
• Consider what resources would be available to all students.
• If students will need their textbooks, copies of something, etc. prepare that ahead of time and ensure it goes home with them.
• Be mindful of modifications and accommodations that will have to be made for select students. Students on IEPs are the general education teacher’s students too.
• Provide frequent individualized feedback to students.
• Don’t live stream for instruction-you can for a social gathering to connect face to face as an option, but they may not be able to get on at a specific time due to sharing devices.
• Consider what types of assessment can occur without “googling” an answer. Open ended and reflection assessments.
• Be flexible.

• Keep in mind the emotional toll this could potentially have on students.  Check-in on their emotional status in addition to their academic progress.
• Keep in mind you may have an older sibling taking care of younger siblings.
• Keep in mind with parents possibly working from home and multiple children working online, bandwidth at some homes might be an issue.
• Allow them to work at their own pace and take the time to absorb content.
• Prioritize and be realistic-assignments and tasks will most likely take more time to complete.

• Consider ways you’ll take attendance

• daily “exit tickets”
• a google form
• Post a question within Google Classroom for them to answer daily. This could be just “ I am here. Yes. No.” Or this could serve as your formative check of learning.

• If you need to call parents or students during distance learning and don’t want them having your personal number, dial *67 before the number.
• Lean in on your co-workers, your administration, your Teaching and Learning Coach, and your peer mentor.  Support each other. Take care of yourself.

• Instructional Coach’s number:
• Let’s collaborate!

• I’ll be scheduling and sending out a Zoom link for those that want to collaborate live as a group.  Kind of like a Q/A, Support & Sharing Session.
• I can help look at plans
• Develop lessons
• Record a lesson/read a book
• Help determine how to give feedback
• Help determine how to assess
• Technology support
• You name it!