Tanglewood Virtual Learning Plan

Tanglewood Virtual Learning Plan

September 8^th – October 2^nd

In an effort to normalize virtual instruction and create the best academic and social environment for students and teachers, we ask that all students participating in synchronous virtual learning adhere to the following:

1. Log in each morning ready for school.  Be groomed and dressed the same way you would for in-person instruction.  We strongly encourage uniforms M-TH and spirit clothes on Fridays.
2. No eating or gum chewing in class.
3. Have materials and supplies ready each day.

For KG-5^th, lunch and recess breaks are built into the schedule.  Several parents wish to organize socially-distanced “recess” playdates in the park during this time in an effort to build relationships with classmates.  Participation is optional and details are forthcoming.

The teachers will be providing more detailed schedules the week before school starts.  There will be a parent meeting on Friday, 9/4, via Zoom with the homeroom teachers to explain the virtual learning process and answer questions.  Please see “Dates to Remember” for additional information.

PK Schedule

KG Schedule

1^st Grade

2^nd Grade

3^rd Grade

4^th Grade

5^th Grade

All teachers will have planning from 8:00-8:55 daily.  All teachers will have office hours from 2:00-3:00 daily. 

Weekly lesson plans will be posted to our Virtual Learning Hub (linked on our school/PTA website) each Friday for the following week. 

Here is some additional information on virtual learning that you may find helpful:

Synchronous Learning- Students choosing to participate in the synchronous learning model will follow the schedule provided in Google Classroom and learn alongside their peers and teachers.  Students will be counted present each day they participate.  The learning model used in synchronous learning includes blocks of time dedicated to specific subjects.  All blocks of instruction will be taught by Tanglewood teachers.  The model for synchronous learning includes videos of the teacher delivering direct instruction to students in developmentally appropriate chunks of time.  The general rule for the length of a video lesson is the grade plus 7 minutes.  So PK/KG video segments would be 5-7 minutes, 1^st grade 8 minutes, 2^nd grade 9 minutes, etc.  After the instructional video, students will have time to practice the new skill(s).  They will be given an assignment to complete.  These assignments will vary from paper/pencil activities to interactive online activities.  Following the independent practice, the students will join the teacher on Google Meets to review their work.  The teacher reinforces the learning with student examples, reteaches difficult concepts, and extends the learning.  This “flipped” model of instruction lends itself to online learning.  It doesn’t require the students to be “live” onscreen throughout the entire instructional block.  It allows the teacher to recognize gaps/strengths in student learning prior to closing the lesson.  Teachers may also schedule small group instruction during the learning blocks to meet students’ individual needs.

Asynchronous Learning- Students choosing the asynchronous learning model will follow the lesson plan posted by the teacher in Google Classroom.  They will watch the same recorded video lessons as the synchronous learners and complete the same assignments.  Since these students will be working on their own time and at their own pace, they will not be required to join the Google Meets sessions.  They will be marked present by logging in to their teacher’s Google Classroom account daily.  They will check in with their homeroom teacher weekly (or more often if needed) and turn in weekly assignments.

Asynchronous Learning “Screen Free”- This model has been approved for those families interested in adopting more of a home school model.  Students may stay enrolled at Tanglewood and receive instruction from a parent, teacher, or tutor so long as the students are completing the weekly assignments.  The parent chooses the mode of instruction and follows the teacher’s weekly learning plan.  The instructional videos are still available to the parent if they choose to use them.  These students check in with the homeroom teacher weekly (or more often if needed) and turn in weekly assignments for attendance and course credit.

Small Group Check-In- This is a flexible block of time that may be used for re-teaching, enrichment, advanced academics, tutorials, social-emotional learning, etc. 

In the next few weeks, we will launch our virtual learning hub on our school/PTA website.  This Google Site will be the hub for online learning.  It will include teacher photos, bios, contact information, office hours, etc.  Each teacher will have a direct link to their Google Classroom account.  The weekly lesson plan, video links, and schedules will be posted to Google Classroom each Friday so that students and parents can preview the week ahead and prepare for instruction.