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Guidelines for Successful Remote Learning for Your ChildThe current health crisis has required PMCS to establish a new means of learning and teaching. It is new for parents, for students, and for the teachers. We have created these guidelines to help parents, students and teachers establish an environment that is conducive to successful remote learning. One of the most important factors in successful remote learning is to have a routine that your family follows every day, just as they would if your children were going to a physical school. This is not a vacation, with an interruption for school. These guidelines are designed to help you and your children maintain a Remote PMCS school routine, just as you would if they were going to physical PMCS. In fact, many of these rules are as true for physical PMCS as they are for remote PMCS.We recognize that learning from home can be difficult in the best of circumstances and families can’t necessarily follow all of these guidelines, but the more you can do, and support your children as they do it, the more fulfilling and impactful your child’s remote learning experience will be.Where to Learn:Have a dedicated space where your child is going to “be in school” and do their daily work and homework. It should be a room that is used only for school, if that is possible.Have a comfortable chair and desk or table where your child is going to work. Avoid having them work in bed or on the floor, where they might lay down, fall asleep, or roll around.Have them use a space that is as free of distractions as possible; music, TV, siblings, toys, etc. The fewer things they have to distract them, the better they will learn.Before and After Class:Keep a regular school sleep schedule. Make sure your children get a good night’s sleep so they are awake and ready to start when class starts.Have them get up and prepare themselves for school - wash up, brush their teeth, do their hair, and get dressed (but they don’t have to wear a uniform.)Make sure they eat before class starts. Eating gives them the energy to learn, but no one wants to watch them eat or hear them chew while they’re in class.Make sure that their computer, iPad, or phone is fully charged before class starts and that they have power nearby and their charging cord with them in case they need to charge their device.Make sure they have all of their materials ready for class before it starts and with them when class starts; books, workbooks, paper, pencil or pen, etc. They should not have to get up and leave to get things they forgot.Make sure they complete all of their work on time, to the best of their ability, and are ready to participate. It is hard to participate if they come to class without having done their class and homework assignments. They are getting grades.If their class uses Google Classroom (3rd - 6th grades), make sure they check their Google Classroom and their email regularly. This is where you and they will find assignments, materials, etc.If your child doesn’t use Google Classroom (K-2nd grades), make sure you check your email, texts, and PMCS’ Facebook page for updates and new information from your classroom teacher and PMCS.During class:Make sure your child is in class, on time, and ready to learn every day. Teachers are taking attendance.For K-2nd grade students, you need to stay near-by and support them with their learning by helping them stay focused and attentive to the lesson and what is being taught. This will help your child stay engaged and you will be better able to help them with work after class is over.For 3rd - 6th grade students, be near-by and check in with them during class to make sure they remain attentive and focused during class.Help your child wait their turn. Use non-verbal signals to communicate; raise their hand to let the teacher know they have something to say, give a thumbs up if they agree with an answer or what someone else has said, and you can use the chat box to share an idea or answer or ask a question.Help your child avoid playing with the background screenshots, toys, siblings, etc. during class. It is a distraction to them and others in the class when they do. Remember that although they may feel like they’re the only one in the room, everyone can see what they’re doing.Tech Use Tips:It is highly recommended that students use headphones or earbuds during class. This reduces the outside distractions while they’re in class as well as the background noise when they are not muted.Students need to mute themselves when they enter the “classroom” and when they aren’t answering a question. The technology picks up a lot of background noise and makes it hard for others to hear if it’s not muted. Students can temporarily unmute by pressing and holding the spacebar while they talk or by clicking on the microphone graphic in the lower left corner of the Zoom screen.Make sure students can be seen on the computer, iPad, or phone. Technology shouldn’t be pointed at the ceiling or the floor.If students must exit class for any reason, such as having to go to the bathroom, they should turn off the video for the time they are out of the room and turn it on when they return.I’m repeating this one - make sure that their computer, iPad, or phone is fully charged before class starts and that they have power nearby and their charging cord with them in case they need to charge their device.Stay Mentally and Physically Healthy:Stay Active Physically - have children take breaks from sitting, walk outside (while maintaining social distancing), do yoga, stretch, or follow an online exercise routine to remain active.Stay Active Mentally - Have them do jigsaw puzzles, color, draw, do crossword puzzles, play games as a family, or read to keep their minds sharp. Avoid excessive TV or technology time beyond what is required for school.Eat Healthy: Have children eat balanced meals on a regular schedule. Limit junk and snack foods, and soda or other sugary drinks. Reduce Anxiety - Meditate or practice Mindfulness with recorded or online programs (they have these for kids), avoid watching or listening to too much media information online, on TV, or on the radio, make sure to talk about things other than the health crisis with your family. If you follow these guidelines you and your child are going to have a more successful and productive remote learning experience. Some of you may actually find that you learn more and are more productive while learning remotely. We’ll be interested in learning from you about how it is working. ................
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