Online Learning Plan: Weeks 4 & 5
High School
WHPS Online Learning Plan
Dear High School Students and Families:
Welcome back to the WHPS Online Learning Plan for weeks 4 & 5. We hope our students and families had the opportunity to engage in healthy activities for which it is often difficult to find time. Since the beginning of online instruction on March 23, teachers and staff members learned many lessons regarding how to engage students in a virtual environment. As we move ahead to weeks 4 and 5, we continue expanding their skills to best serve students. We remain thankful to all WHPS families for your partnership in this unique effort.
What are our objectives for Week 4 & 5?
to reconnect with every student and check on his/her well-being; to determine if student needs have changed since we last met and provide appropriate support
to continue building online environments that promote student engagement, self-advocacy, appropriate academic risk-taking, and independence
to provide student feedback for improvement and opportunities for self-reflection
to expand the use of interactive online learning tools and resources that engage students' hearts and minds
Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions:
Has anything in the student schedule changed from Weeks 1-3?
No, students will follow the same schedule they did during weeks 1-3.
Are teachers grading assignments?
Teachers are grading assignments and entering grades in PowerSchool. Marking Term 3 and 4 have been merged into one Semester 2 grade. Parents are encouraged to check into PowerSchool to get an update on student progress and contact teachers if they should have questions.
Are teachers teaching during Classroom Office Hours on Google Meets?
Yes. Each Friday, teachers post lessons, assignments and resources in Google Classroom including readings, videos, audio clips, and videotaped lessons. During Classroom Office Hours in Google Meets, teachers clarify content, provide additional explanations, take student questions, review expectations and get student feedback.
How are teachers holding classroom conversations?
WHPS teachers understand the powerful role student-to-student dialogue has in supporting students to make meaning of academic content. In an online environment, this is more challenging; however, WHPS teachers are finding their way. Teachers are learning how to split their classes into small group sessions during Classroom Office Hours to promote dialouge and then bring them back to full session to debrief.
What are other ways teachers use to engage students?
Teachers continue to find new tools and ways to engage students' hearts and minds during this time. The use of journaling, group projects, collaboration through Google Docs and new technology tools are increasing each day. Here are some tools teachers have incorporated recently.
- PearDeck - This PowerPoint or Google Slides add-on allows teachers to create interactive slides that let every student respond to questions or prompts embedded in a presentation. Using PearDeck, teachers can easily collect responses to get a sense of student understanding of a topic.
- Padlet - With Padlet teachers can create an online post-it board and invite students to share their thoughts and ideas through about a topic. Teachers may give students a topic to explore on Padlet. Students share their ideas and comments as well as audio files, video files, links and still pictures. This way, every student can see what the others think.
Are students supposed to attend all scheduled Classroom Office Hours?
Our intent is for students to attend all Classroom Office Hours. Unless family obligations prevent them from doing so, students are expected to attend all sessions.
Can students still earn UConn credit through ECE courses?
WHPS staff has been in close contact with UConn on this issue. Each academic department at UConn is working closely with ECE teachers in West Hartford to determine the best solution for their content area. For students enrolled in an ECE humanities or social science course, UConn has determined that end of course essays or projects will be a suitable final assessment. In STEM courses, UConn is still working out the best way to determine student achievement. We will share additional information as it becomes available.
What is happening with AP exams and credit?
The College Board has taken the following steps:
Students will take a 45-minute online free-response exam at home. Traditional face-to-face exam administrations will not take place.
The exam will only include topics and skills most teachers and students have already covered in class by early March. Preliminary information regarding units covered on each test and exam question types can be found here.
Our dedicated West Hartford teachers are already adjusting instruction to ensure students complete their coursework, prepare for their exams and continue their opportunity to earn the college credit and placement they have worked for all year.
When will the College Board hold the next SAT?
To keep students safe, this week the College Board canceled the June 6 SAT. The College Board plans to offer SAT administrations every month from August through the end of the calendar year if public health guidance allows. Dates for upcoming tests are currently scheduled for August 29, October 3, November 7 and December 5.
What digital tools are available to help students who have reading or writing challenges?
There are many free tools on the Internet or pre-installed on Chromebooks. Below you will find a short list of some very helpful tools.
Natural Reader - Natural Reader is a professional text to speech program. Students simply open Natural Reader and drag and drop a .DOC, .PDF, .TXT, .RTF, or .EPUB file into this online tool and Natural Reader converts text into spoken words.
Speechtexter - This free online resource allows students to speak their response into a dictation box and text will appear. Text then can be copied and pasted into documents or text boxes to create written responses to assignments.
ChromeVox - Pre-installed on all Chromebooks, ChromeVox is a screen reader that allows users to browse the Internet with the aid of synthesized speech played through their speakers or headphones.
How is WHPS supporting students with IEPs and 504 plans?
WHPS is providing multiple supports to students who have IEP and 504 plans. These include:
Untimed assignments with flexible due dates. Students with IEPs will work with their special educator and teacher to determine appropriate flexibilities.
All assignments posted in Google Classroom will include accommodations for students with IEPs and 504 plans. In addition, digital tools to support access to instructional materials are posted above.
Content Support classes, those classes that provide students with additional targeted instruction, will hold Classroom Office Hours as all other classes do. Students can check in with their special educator for support in meeting their goals.
Special Educators will use afternoons and Wednesdays for small group work and individual check-ins.
Special Educators will have access to their co-teacher's Google Classroom to review assignments and be prepared to support students.
Special Educators and 504 case managers have created individual learning plans to outline individualized instruction in support of each student's individual goals.
School Counselors will check in with their students with a 504 plan during the afternoon or on Wednesday to determine their needs. Students whose 504 plan includes direct related services (e.g. speech and language, counselor or clinician check-ins, etc.) will have an individualized learning plan sent home that outlines how and when services are provided.
Special Educators of students in Intensive Academic classes will email families directly with plans for continued learning.
OnLine Learning Plan Weeks 4 and 5
Monday, Apr 20, 2020, 08:30 AM
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Google Classroom
Google Classroom will be the primary platform for posting lessons and resources. For many of our students and teachers, Google Classroom is already a resource they use for learning each day. Over the last week, all teachers checked their Google Classroom accounts and invited co-teachers and Department Supervisors to join.
Gmail
Google Meets
West Hartford Public Schools Website
WHPS and Families: Strong Together
Town of West Hartford Website
Helpful Hints
Daily Routines
With the move to a new learning environment, students are establishing their new schedules and routines. Routines are helpful to provide continuity, support students in achieving their goals, and offer structure through a transitional period. We encourage students to balance their academic work with time for physical fitness, creative pursuits, and opportunities for social/emotional growth. Additional online resources to support continued academic growth are posted here.
Support
We appreciate that the WHPS Online Learning Plan is new to everyone: students, teachers, and families. While we cannot replicate the classroom learning experience, we have designed meaningful, targeted weekly learning opportunities for the coming weeks. Classroom teachers and support staff (English learners, special education, school counselors, etc.) will communicate with you regularly via email. As you have questions, we encourage you to reach out to your child's teacher or building administrator.