Hello and welcome back!
I hope everyone was able to spend some time together and get some rest last week. Below is information that is very important to our continuing, distance learning. Please read it all so you don’t miss something important.
Google Classrooms/Packets
As per the email that was sent out before break, we are going to continue with our instruction on Google Classrooms. If you have not yet gotten onto that, this is a great time to. It can be done on a computer, phone, or tablet. All the login information is on the post below this. Of course, all assignments are available in hard copy in the packets just like last time, but you will be missing out on videos and interactive lessons if you don’t log in. Your packet will go for two weeks, and then you will need to hand that in and get the next one. Please hand in all packets from the last two weeks as well. Ms. Shannon and I would need to be able to check that work.
Yes, we are checking all work being turned in, which brings me to the next thing. You MUST attach proof on google classrooms of your work. I posted a tutorial there on how to do this. You can upload a document, a picture, or if you must, you can turn it in at the school. We are looking at work and grading it. Most assignments are on a pass/fail basis. If you did it and we can tell you tried you will pass. If it is on google classrooms I am trying to leave feedback for each assignment as well. I will eventually get to them all, thanks for your patience.
The expectations for school work
I understand this is a stressful time and experience. Some students want more work, some want less. We have tried to come up with a compromise. If you are struggling with something please contact me so we can come up with an individualized plan for your child. If I haven’t heard from you I expect your student to be doing all the assignments below.
1- 30 minutes of IXL daily. Do the suggested problems and any additional ones you want. Yes, I can see when you are doing this and lots of students have not been completing this assignment. We provided math worksheets in the packet if you are not online. Do not worry about getting a certain score. Just do 30 minutes minimum.
2- Daily Lesson- Posted daily on Google Classroom. They are on various subjects and include: video lessons, assignments, and activities. All worksheets are included in packets but videos/lessons are not. You have 1 week to do each lesson.
3-Weekly assignments- Work on these all week long. Usually consist of an essay on Utahcompose.com and a vocabulary assignment. If you are doing packets, the vocabulary assignment is printed in it and the essays are assigned on Utah compose to your child’s account. They can see the essay when they login.
Please note: If you tried to get into the school to get the packet last week and were unable to because the school was closed for cleaning, the school is open again as of Monday for you to pick up and drop off packets. Thank you for your understanding.
Printable or Digital Montessori Works
Many of the students still use hands on materials in Upper Elementary. With distance learning being implemented, they don’t have access to these anymore. Below are links to different printable or digital works that you can make for your child. They can use these to do the problems on worksheets etc. Most kids will know what work they are working on and how to do them, but if they are confused, or forgot how, I can set up a video conference call with them to go over it.
Mobile Montessori Apps– Apps to download and use for various works and levels.
Stamp Game- Color Printer Version– Most students use this for addition, and subtraction only. A few students use it for multiplication and division as well.
Test Tube Division Board– Use skittles, m&m’s, or beads placed in cups with the board. Use this for long division.
Checkerboard– print and tape together. Use with printable bead bars below. This is for doing Multiplication.
Small Bead Bars– Use for Checkerboard, multiplication, and skip counting/adding.
Online versions of works– This website has an online version of golden beads (place value, making numbers, addition and subtraction), stamp game (addition and subtraction), and peg board (for square root)
Google Hangouts
This past week we added in the use of Google Hangouts into our daily routine. This is a chat group that they can talk to each other as a whole class. They are having a blast with it. I am monitoring the class chat group. FYI, they can chat with each other individually and I cannot monitor that or see what they are saying. You do not need to have them sign up for this if you don’t want or don’t feel comfortable. I just know they were really missing each other so I made it an option. Please use your judgement as a parent, knowing your situation and child.
Starting next week, Monday the 13th, at 10 am we are going to have a community meeting video conference call so we can all see one another and catch up. It will be run as a normal morning circle and should last no longer than 30 minutes. An email will be going to your student’s mmalions account with an invitation. You must use this email. I will also link in all of the information on how to connect to that, as well as a document discussing grace and courtesy regarding those hangouts, at the bottom of this post. Please try to have your child attend if it is possible.
I am also available for individual video calls for students to help them with assignments and to answer any questions. I will be doing all these video calls through Google Meet and recording them for your child’s safety. If you would like to sign up for a video conference with me individually you can sign up in the link below. I would like to set one up for anyone who would like individual feedback about how their child is doing on assignments, has any questions, or if their child would just like to chat and say hello.
You can access Hangouts/Meet via computer, phone, or tablet so there are lots of options to join us!
We are looking forward to seeing you all at our first meeting!
Ms. Laura has made tutorials that I have linked below.
How to for Ms Laura’s Hangouts
Ways for your child to sign in to Google Hangouts
