Covid-19 Home Distance Learning
Learning from Home via Silverstream School
The unthinkable has happened and here we are… Working, and learning from home. We have been told that we are in this position for 4 weeks initially, but as teachers, we are prepared for this to be longer if needed.
We are very conscious of how overwhelming this time will be for everybody and as such, we are trying to keep things as simple as possible for you in the days and weeks ahead. The government will also be providing support, advice and ideas via their “Learning at Home” Website: learningfromhome.govt.nz
Our plan from here:
The unthinkable has happened and here we are… Working, and learning from home. We have been told that we are in this position for 4 weeks initially, but as teachers, we are prepared for this to be longer if needed.
We are very conscious of how overwhelming this time will be for everybody and as such, we are trying to keep things as simple as possible for you in the days and weeks ahead. The government will also be providing support, advice and ideas via their “Learning at Home” Website: learningfromhome.govt.nz
Our plan from here:
Week 1 of Closure (this week) - Last day of Term one is now Friday 27th MarchHome learning challenges were sent out via SignMee and have been uploaded to our website.
The intent is that you use these challenges to set some simple routines, and connect as a family. There is no expectation that you complete all the tasks - although feel free to continue using these in the holidays if you wish. In addition to these home learning challenges, aim for a little bit of reading and basic facts practice everyday this week. Teachers will be using this time to check in with you, and if necessary test home learning links and iron out any glitches, ready for the beginning of Term 2. On Friday we will stream our final student of the week awards on Facebook. This is not offered to Year 1 - 3 as they do not already know how to use them, and their learning programme will be predominantly offline. |
School Holidays - 30th March to 15 April (Including Easter)There will be no formal learning sent home by teachers, however keep an eye on our school facebook page for some fun activities that might help with boredom or help build social connections.
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Week 1 of Term 2 - 15th April onwards Distance Learning until further noticeTeachers will begin delivering distance learning in Reading, Writing and Mathematics to the children in their classes
In Year 1 - 3 this will be delivered by SeeSaw. In Year 4 - 6 this will be delivered via Hapara and Google docs that children and teachers already use in their classrooms. Seesaw will also continue to be used for sharing and communication. We will also provide further Home Learning challenges (similar to those provided this week) on a fortnightly basis. |
We are well aware that many of you will be working from home over this period and needing to juggle work commitments with looking after your child/children. You may be feeling stressed and worried. Our children are likely feeling the same. We do not want to be putting extra pressure on you or your children. Learning doesn’t go well when people are stressed (for adult or child). Remember that this is not about ‘home schooling’ or trying to recreate your child’s classroom at home. We all trained for years to become teachers - we don’t expect you to become one overnight!
While we are providing learning opportunities and support, it is up to you to decide what, when and how much you and your child engage in. Some children will respond well to having a familiar structure or routine to their day, but if that doesn’t work for you don’t worry. Others will like having a list of things to work through. Over this week consider what might work for you and your child/children. We are available to support you so any questions please contact your child’s teacher.
Right now we all need kindness and understanding (isn’t it awesome that the whole country is now using our first value!). Make some precious memories with your children in the coming weeks, build forts, have a pj party, cook together, go for walks, pull out old photo albums from your childhood, and read, read, read, read to your children (yes, even the big ones). What our children definitely need is to someone to ask questions, to answer their worries and to feel safe. Children’s mental health is more important than academic learning, especially at this time. They will long remember how they felt during this time.
Stay safe, be kind, and most importantly #washyourhands
Kia Kaha.
Lisa Cavanagh
While we are providing learning opportunities and support, it is up to you to decide what, when and how much you and your child engage in. Some children will respond well to having a familiar structure or routine to their day, but if that doesn’t work for you don’t worry. Others will like having a list of things to work through. Over this week consider what might work for you and your child/children. We are available to support you so any questions please contact your child’s teacher.
Right now we all need kindness and understanding (isn’t it awesome that the whole country is now using our first value!). Make some precious memories with your children in the coming weeks, build forts, have a pj party, cook together, go for walks, pull out old photo albums from your childhood, and read, read, read, read to your children (yes, even the big ones). What our children definitely need is to someone to ask questions, to answer their worries and to feel safe. Children’s mental health is more important than academic learning, especially at this time. They will long remember how they felt during this time.
Stay safe, be kind, and most importantly #washyourhands
Kia Kaha.
Lisa Cavanagh