Our Approach
The Primary Years Program and AIS best practice is to have students deeply engaged in hands-on, inquiry-based practical learning connected to the real world and in collaboration with peers. Achieving this in a virtual learning environment is a whole new experience for teachers and students.
We also want to acknowledge the challenge that parents face supporting their primary school child’s virtual learning. We realize elementary school students are not yet fully capable of learning solely on their own in a virtual environment, so parents need to think flexibly about how to support their children and how to create routines. We understand that many families have more than one child and that parents may have work duties that will compete with their desires to help. The school provides flexible scheduling and activities, in order for families to tailor the experience as best suits them.
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For 3K-5K students, devices are optional and will be given to families that request them.
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Grade 1-5 students will bring home their school owned device in order to give them a tool they are familiar with.
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The school devices have the Zoom and SeaSaw apps already installed.
From our own experience since launching this process, we have found that regularity and routine support you and your children best in making this work.
The home learning environment will be different from the classroom, so teachers will be planning activities that aren’t necessarily the same as they would have done if school was in session, but with the same learning outcomes. Family and school partnerships should be maintained, much like it is in a brick and mortar setting, with regular opportunities for families to provide feedback and to connect with teachers as needed.
What will virtual learning look like?