Fourth grade teachers at the Language Academy of Sacramento, a Spanish immersion charter school, are using videos and other tech to teach students while the school is closed because of COVID-19.
“I’m taking this as a challenge and it is a new way for me to grow as a teacher,” said fourth grade teacher Andrea Rodriguez. “I'm gonna be very communicative with my kids, because I want them to understand that although I'm not physically here with them, I'm still readily available.”
The teachers are creating virtual packets for parents and a daily schedule for students beginning after breakfast. It includes the basics like math, reading and writing, but also quiet time and recess.
“I hope that they are doing the work that they need to do,” said Rodriguez. “The rapport that I've already built with these kids, I am afraid of losing that … it's just something that we're all going to have to be flexible and patient with.”
To communicate with her 22 students she plans on using the video communication app Zoom for a daily morning meeting and Google Forms for responses. They’re also creating a YouTube channel to send out weekly overviews and read aloud.
“It's very important during this time while they're away for them to see our faces,” said Rodriguez. “We are going to try this platform. I don't know if it's going to work, but we're going to try it.”
But because not all students have the same family support or access to tech, Rodriguez says they’re not teaching anything new. They’ll just be reviewing already taught concepts. It’s a matter of having students return to school all at similar learning levels.
“What we're trying to prevent is that when that day comes when we can ask them to come back, that we're now not in a position where there is an even greater challenge,” said Eduardo de León, the school's executive director.
His teachers are trying new ways to keep students engaged amid all the distractions at home. That’s why de Leon says the use of YouTube and other tech are so important.
TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT COVID-19
- Explaining Coronavirus To Students by BrainPop - Video
- How To Talk To Your Kids About Coronavirus - PBS
- Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus - NPR
- A Guide: How To Prepare Your Home For Coronavirus - NPR
MEALS
- School Meals - Sacramento county schools are providing kids free meals. CapRadio created a map of where to access the meals.
- Meals At The Library - Meals at the Library will continue but with pick-up service only. All meals will be available for pick up at our 8 participating branches Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays from 4 to 5 p.m. until further notice.
- Where school meals in Sacramento region are available during coronavirus closures - Sacramento Bee
Other Resources
- Natomas School District has provided a list of resources including math, history, science, physical education and reading activities. It also includes a list of virtual field trips like going to Mars or the San Diego Zoo.
- Starting the week of March 23 KVIE2 will air a schedule of educational programs for student Pre-K through 12 that is aligned with the state’s curriculum.
- Free Internet - Comcast is taking steps to help connect low-income families get internet at home. New Internet Essentials customers will receive two free months of Internet service, which is available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month plus tax. Apply by April 30, 2020.
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