FAQ’s for Remote At-Home Learning

Elementary Schools K-6

Teachers and students should prepare for the likelihood that schools may be dismissed and all courses will be moved to distance learning due to inclement weather. To prepare for possible dismissal and best support students, teachers should establish a class Canvas site that contains all required course essentials and activities. The following FAQ and guidance are provided to help teachers prepare.

• What should be taught during online learning?
  • Essential Learning Targets. The curriculum notebooks contain learning essentials for each course, as well as additional resources to support teachers with their instruction. Teachers should identify key learning essentials, as they focus on learning activities posted to Canvas to help students meet these essentials. Teachers should also ensure that students know how to access their instructional materials online, like Wonders. Lower grades may send packet work to be done but it is expected that all students will have access to a digital device at home.
•  What LMS should teachers use?
  • Canvas. It is expected that elementary teachers will use Canvas as the learning management system for online and blended learning. Using a single LMS will support parents and students as they manage multiple courses.
•  Can teachers use other online tools, such as Zoom?
  • Video conferences and recordings can be powerful tools to help students in an online environment. Teachers should exercise professional discretion with when and how they use these tools. Any tool that collects student personal information, such as name, age, gender, etc., must go through an approval process before it can be used. Contact Clint Smith for more details.
• What is the expectation for teachers to have virtual face-to-face meetings with students?
  • It is expected that teachers will use synchronous and asynchronous strategies in a virtual learning environment. Teachers should provide regular office hours for face-to-face meetings with students who may need assistance and guidance. Also, teachers should seek to contact each student in remote at-home learning. (Not all students will respond.)
• How many hours should teachers work during periods of online learning?
  • Teachers should work their contractual hours but allow for flexibility to do whole group instruction as well as small groups. It is not expected that teachers will video conference call with students all day as students may be doing independent work from time to time.
• What should teachers do about grading during online learning?
  • Given the fluidity of online learning, student work should not be penalized for being late. Missing work should be scored as Incomplete, and any Incomplete should be allowed to be made up before posting a final grade.
• How should teachers communicate with parents and students during online learning?
  • Canvas. Canvas has the capacity for teachers to communicate with a single student/parent or an entire class. To simplify and ensure consistent communication with students and parents, teachers should use this capability in Canvas.
• How much work time should teachers require of students?
  • Teachers should plan to engage students in meaningful work without overwhelming them. Please keep in mind the physical and mental well-being of students working in an online and blended environment and should not exceed 1 ½ to 2 hours of independent work.

Secondary Schools (7-12th grades)

Teachers and students should prepare for the likelihood that schools may be dismissed and all courses will be moved to distance learning due to inclement weather. To prepare for possible dismissal and best support students, teachers should establish a class Canvas site that contains all required course essentials and activities. The following FAQ and guidance are provided to help teachers prepare.

• What should be taught during online learning?
  • Essential Learning Targets. The curriculum notebooks contain learning essentials for each course, as well as additional resources to support teachers with their instruction. Teachers should identify key learning essentials, as they focus on learning activities posted to Canvas to help students meet these essentials.
• What LMS should teachers use?
  • Canvas. It is expected that all secondary teachers will use Canvas as the learning management system for online and blended learning. Using a single LMS will support parents and students as they manage multiple courses.
• Can teachers use other online tools, such as Zoom?
  • Video conferences and recordings can be powerful tools to help students in an online environment. Teachers should exercise professional discretion with when and how they use these tools. Any tool that collects student personal information, such as name, age, gender, etc., must go through an approval process before it can be used. Contact Clint Smith for more details.
• What is the expectation for teachers to have virtual face-to-face meetings with students?
  • It is expected that teachers will use synchronous and asynchronous strategies in a virtual learning environment. Teachers should provide regular office hours for face-to-face meetings with students who may need assistance and guidance.
• How many hours should teachers work during periods of online learning?
  • Teachers should work their contractual hours but allow for flexibility to meet individual student needs.
• What should teachers do about grading during online learning?
  • Given the fluidity of online learning, student work should not be penalized for being late. Missing work should be scored as Incomplete, and any Incomplete should be allowed to be made up before posting a final grade.
• How should teachers communicate with parents and students during online learning?
  • Canvas. Canvas has the capacity for teachers to communicate with a single student/parent or an entire class. To simplify and ensure consistent communication with students and parents, teachers should use this capability in Canvas.
• How much work time should teachers require of students?
  • Teachers should plan to use the following guidelines when assigning work to students to ensure the physical and mental well-being of students working in an online and blended environment.
    • Recommendations Grades 7-9 Grades 10-12 Honors or AP
    • Total Daily Work Time 2 to 3 hours per day 3 to 4 hours per day
    • Approximate Daily Time per Class Approx. 20 minutes per class Approx. 25-30 minutes per class Approx. 30-45 minutes per class