Managing our expectations and emotions during distance learning
Starting our Journey
Today our students started their distance learning journey. Whether they were at home or in school as a child of a key worker they were supported. They did PE, they completed MyMaths activities, they developed games around the English language. We have started to receive some student work and we can see that students and families have worked hard to make this process work. Some of the work is exceptional and students have enjoyed the creative elements. The feedback we are getting from students and parents has been both positive and constructive, as we look to develop the model of distance learning we are using.
Digital work completed by a year 7 student and submitted using google classroom
A poster produced using paints and the photographed by one of our year 9 students
Planning for Success
Our students come from a variety of setups at home, some more digital than others. We have the added challenge of having both a primary and a secondary setting. We have a number of parents with more than one child and not necessarily enough devices to go around. This is why when we set up our distance learning model we tried to make it as accessible to all. We developed the following:
resources that utilised a range of activities from watching clips, to using browser based learning programmes like my maths, to completing worksheets, to more open ended writing tasks;
both digital and paper based resources;
teachers being available during lesson times for communication. In the younger years via a parent email and in secondary via their own email, a google hangout or in some cases google classroom;
one to one lessons for students who are supported with this provision
a website to support learners in their wellbeing, keeping up their reading and follow their passions in the extend section
We decided not to have live video lessons, as this may not have been possible for all students to access, particularly if there is more than one child in the home. Not being confined by a live video lesson supports those who may be feeling unwell, or have family who are feeling unwell and will not be able to access at specified times, this works for both the teacher and the student. It means that lessons can be self paced and are not always reliant on good internet connection for all. Looking after all our stakeholders is important to us.
At school children of key workers utilise the daily exercise session from Joe Wicks
Whilst the children also utilise Joe Wicks at home
Supporting Each Other
This is a strange time for us all and we need to be mindful of this fact. The most important thing to remember is to put student wellbeing at the forefront of what we do. Some of our students will thrive in this environment, some will enjoy the responsibility, some will be worried, some will not understand why we are not at school, some will be frustrated and some will be apprehensive about change. We need to consider all of these feelings and support the students and yourselves as parents.
You may consider creating timetables for your children to follow and this may work, but it might not, it may even cause arguments. Your children may be anxious about the situation around them with the virus or when they will spend time with their friends again. When making decisions we need to be aware of and recognise this.
To help it is important to note that it is ok for your child to seek more work and they can do this through the website, it is equally ok if your child does not complete all their daily school tasks. It is important to do regular activities such as:
Gardening
Cooking
Playing in the garden
Reading for pleasure
Listening to music
Playing an instrument
Playing (the occasional) online game with a classmate
Having a google hangout or phone call with a classmate
Just having a relax
These are just some ideas to support your children, but also to support you. If the work seems too much on any given day or is causing stress or conflict, do a different activity, change direction and don’t struggle. In times like these it is important to put the emotional state of our children and our family first.
As we move forward if you have any worries or concerns let us know and we will try to support you and your families, so that we can make this challenging experience a little bit easier for all involved.
