Remote Learning in Grades 3 - 5: What Does it Look Like?

  Nicole Zumpano from the Learning Technology Center and a number of tech coaches in Illinois assembled a great document called, "Return to Learn Playbook." One of the things I would like to share (in summary form) is what remote learning looks like at different grade levels. This week, I'll be looking at grades 3-5.

When it comes to engaging these tweens, here are some things to consider:

• Use a mix of synchronous and asynchronous learning
• Make communication of all sorts clear for the learners as well as the parents/caregivers (might want to consider having "annotated" instructions for the adults for the younger kids in this group especially)
• Consider having office hours where you are simply online and available for questions
• Focus on using a few tools that kids are familiar with; add new tools slowly and one at a time
• Create short audio and/or video instructions, comments, and feedback to supplement written
• Allow for social interaction between teacher/students and student/student
• Create routines so kids and families know what to expect during a live session
• Give younger students opportunities to practice online behaviors -- how to mute/unmute, chat, raise hand, etc. Older students won't necessarily need time to practice, but they should know what the expectations are.
• Share assessment criteria with families so they know what to look for while their child is learning
• Provide help guides for online tools to parents/caregivers
• Offer/set time limits, especially for offline work
• Find opportunities to meet with each student individually in order to build relationships
• Keep open communication with parents/caregivers
• Communicate via email and/or phone calls
• Model online behavior for students
• Watch for nonverbal cues of disengagement (acting silly, not looking at camera, being distracted by things around them)
• Use choice boards or hyperdocs to offer students choice in their learning
• Create interactive lessons using tools that make this easy to do (see suggestions below)

Wondering what tools to use? Here are some ideas that you might already be familiar with!

• Google Classroom
• EdPuzzle
• Padlet
• Flipgrid
• Kahoot
• PearDeck
• Nearpod
• Poll Everywhere
• Book Creator
• Hyperdocs
• Google Slides
• Loom
• Quizizz
• Google Forms
• Socrative
• Gmail
• Remind
• Google Sites
• Screencastify