At-Home Learning: Week 2
Elementary Schools
Grade Level Learning Plan Updates
Welcome to Week 2! Thank you for welcoming us into your homes last week. We look forward to our ongoing partnership as students learn in this new environment. We are dedicated to supporting you and your children.
Please find At-Home Learning Plans for Week 2 (March 30- April 3) by clicking the button for each grade level below. For your reference, Week 1 learning plans are located on the pages following Week 2 for each grade.
Last week, your classroom teacher connected with you to discuss your child's adjustment to learning at home and the At-Home Learning Plan routines. This week, our learning plan routines continue with new lessons. Your classroom teacher will check-in with you again two times this week.
We hope that the following responses address some of the questions you may have:
What are our district goals for Week 2?
- to promote student well-being and sense of connection with teachers and peers
- to support the needs of all of our students and families
- to continue to work with families in establishing at-home learning routines
- to advance student learning through effective use of at-home learning plans and online resources
What are the expectations for at-home learning?
As shared in our initial letter and video last week, each family’s at-home learning schedule will look different depending on family dynamics and student learning needs. While we cannot replicate the classroom learning experience, we have designed meaningful, targeted weekly learning opportunities. The at-home learning plan is asynchronous, which means lessons/instruction are not designed or scheduled for specific times of day.
The following serves as a general guide for families looking to establish routines, recognizing that K-5 students might spend more or less time on core academic lessons or assignments:
- daily reading and literacy lessons (30-45 min per day, or about 3-5 hours per week)
- independent reading (15 min per day, or about 2 hours per week)
- weekly writing lessons (30 min per day, about 2-3 hours per week)
- daily math lessons and practice (30-45 min per day, or about 3-5 hours per week)
- handwriting/keyboarding (5-10 min per day, or about 30 min per week)
The remaining lessons for world language, instrumental music, arts, physical education, science and other areas are designed to support whole child development and enrichment. The time dedicated to each of these areas will vary. The weekly learning targets and plans are designed to provide flexibility for students and families.
At the Pre-K level, students will be working through the plan in a developmentally appropriate manner with family/caregiver support. Please talk with your child's classroom teacher for guidance as needed.
What if my child is having difficulty with these plans?
If you need support or notice your child is have difficulty accessing or completing work within these suggested guidelines, please communicate with your child's classroom teacher.
What if I need additional enrichment materials?
Please see our WHPS Online Resources page: https://www.smore.com/etgwj
How will students share their learning?
Teachers will want students to share their learning with them either upon return to school or during this period of at-home learning as feasible and as family schedules permit. In Grades PreK-5, classroom teachers will ask students to keep a folder with student work such as writing and reading journals or may ask parents to take a photo of their activities (as possible). Students in Grades 4 & 5 might also use their Google email/classroom accounts to communicate with their teachers (upon teacher request).
Support
We appreciate that we are all still learning what the At-Home Learning experience means for you, your student and for us as educators. Students will be able to engage in many of learning tasks independently; other tasks will need support from an adult (e.g., watching a video on graphs and completing a related graphic task).
Classroom teachers and support staff (TESOL, special education, reading intervention) will continue to communicate with you regularly via email and Google Meets videoconferencing to support you and your student and to answer any questions you have each week.
Translation Tool
To get a translated copy of a Grade Level At-Home Learning Plan:
- Go to "File > Make A Copy" of the Google document. You will see it in Google Drive.
- Click "Tools > Translate Document." You will be prompted to enter a name for the translated document and select a language.
- Click "Translate" and a translated copy of the document will open in your window. You will see this copy in your Google Drive.
Want a copy of a grade level learning plan? No problem! Once you open a Learning Plan, just (1) go to "File > Print" or
(2) go to "File > Make A Copy" of the Google document. You will see it in Google Drive or
(3) go to "File > Download" to create a PDF copy if you do not have a Google account.
Note: Please do not "Request Access" as these are view only files.
West Hartford Public Schools Website
Home-School Communication
Please let your teacher know if you would like to communicate by email using Google Translate.
Questions about your child's learning plan should be forwarded to your child's classroom teacher or support teachers.
Please direct other questions to your building principal by email, with understanding that they are responding to the needs of both staff and families at this time.
Google Meets
As an alternative to teleconferencing, we can use Google Meets for video "chats". Google Meets is a free feature of the Google Suite and can be downloaded to your cell phone or device. This tool offers families the opportunity for face-to-face communication with a teacher.
To use, your child's classroom teachers will invite you to a videoconferencing session via email. You can access by cell phone even if you do not have a Google account! If you cannot make it to that session, email the teacher to arrange a mutually convenient time.
Families can download the app for Google Meets if they have a mobile phone. This way they can receive information and participate in videoconferencing with their child's teacher.
How is WHPS supporting students with IEPs and 504 plans?
WHPS is providing multiples supports to students who have IEP and 504 plans. These include:
- Special Educators will have access to weekly At-Home Learning Plans, communicate regularly with classroom teachers and create lessons to meet each student's IEP goals.
- Weekly At-Home Learning Plans posted will include accommodations and modifications for students with IEPs and 504 plans.
- Families can check in with their special educator for support with individual learning plans.
- Special Educators will use video and teleconferencing for small group and individual check-ins.
- Curriculum Specialists and Principals will check in with families of students with 504 plans to monitor their progress and address specific needs.