World Languages & Foreign Exchange
BI-WEEKLY EDITION 04-06 to 04-17, 2020 - virtual learning
PASCO COUNTY NEWS
FOR THE LATEST NEWS ABOUT PASCO'S VIRTUAL LEARNING PLAN & CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION, PLEASE CLICK HERE:
Focus for the Week: Compassion, Grace and Flexibility
As we move in to week three of Distance Learning there are so many lessons we have all learned through this experience. Most importantly, we have learned that the human connection is more important than ever and that each of us faces different circumstances and situations during this time. While it is incredibly important that our students continue to pursue high levels of learning at all times, we also realize and recognize that working with students in this manner is very different and takes a lot of adjustment and getting used to. We trust you to make decisions that work best for you and your students. We trust students and families to prioritize learning time, subjects and assignments based on what is manageable and feasible. Included in this week's newsletter you will see additional information on what Compassion, Grace and Flexibility mean in Pasco County Schools during this time. Please reach out if you need assistance, we are here for you!
Differentiate using "Learn A language" in your virtual classroom!
Learnalanguage has hundreds of free language-learning lessons, games, and activities for you and your students in many different languages.
https://www.learnalanguage.com/
The company was formed in 2010 and they use the Visual Link™ method. The website was created to give people an advanced option to learn a language.
Go, take a look... you will be able to find great resources and ideas for your courses!
FOREIGN EXCHANGE PROGRAM
Together We Learn: Call for Session Proposals
Are you doing awesome things in your school or classroom?
Do you have innovative ideas to share with colleagues?
Pasco County Schools would like to take this opportunity to invite you to share your expertise with educators from around the county by presenting at our summer learning events
happening this July.
Our call for proposals is open to all staff who would like to host sessions to be held during Together We Learn which will take place from July 27th – July 29th with a target audience of teachers, coaches, school support staff, SRP, and school leaders.
Submit your proposal to present a session and join your colleagues in exploring best practices
happening right here in Pasco County!
Proposal deadline is May 8, 2020
Click here for more information and to submit your proposal.
Gradebook Tips Sheet
Included here Gradebook Pro Tips.pdf are some helpful tips to assist you in as you grade and respond to student learning.
Academic Integrity
Regrettably, some students will make a poor decision to submit work that does not reflect their original thoughts and understanding of the course content. Plagiarism and cheating may take several forms, and teachers can use measures (including Unicheck, a plagiarism detection software) to identify work that has been published or submitted before. Subsequent violations will adhere to the Pasco County Schools Student Code of Conduct. Please consult your administration.
SEL/Compassionate Schools
Hello teachers! Here is a great article that gives 4 tips for teachers who are shifting to distance learning. Our SEL team is holding virtual office hours for anybody who would like to join. They are:
Mondays 1:00-2:00 https://zoom.us/j/487197439
Wednesdays 10:00-11:00 https://zoom.us/j/610730998
Thursdays 2:00-3:00 https://zoom.us/j/278267800
Please feel free to join us during any of the sessions to chat, check in, or if we can provide you support in any other way. As always, if you need us outside of those hours, just drop us an email. We’re here to support you!
BREATHE IN, BREATHE OUT EXERCISE
Breathing exercises can promote peace, calm, and an overall sense of well-being.
“Just breathe”...these are words we have probably told ourselves or others a million times. Taking the time to take a few deep breaths actually makes us feel more centered and calm. Deep breaths and concentrating on breathing sends oxygen to the brain which soothes the amygdala and signals your nervous system to calm down.
Breathing is an easy, fun, and free way to create a sense of peace and calmness and can help tremendously during times of struggle, stress, or tension. The biggest challenge is usually just to remember to do it which is why knowing specific breathing techniques can be helpful.
Be purposeful in your breathing as you move through your day. Consider scheduling a breathing activity before you get out of bed in the morning or during of the many transition times in your day. Be mindful during the day to incorporate these strategies to lead to a calmer self.
BODY SCAN
- Sometimes we feel the emotion in our body before we can identify it cognitively. Take a few moments in the day to check in with all the parts of your body. From head to toe, think about each part with each breath in and out. How does each part feel? Allow each body part to relax with each breath cycle.
SQUARE BREATHING
- Square breathing is helpful and easy at any age! Breathe into a count of four, and hold the breath for a count of four. Then breathe out to a count of four, and wait for a count of four before breathing again. Tracing the shape of the square on a paper helps as you learn this technique. After you are used to using it, you can practice square breathing by just visualizing a square as you breathe. Often kids like to draw a square in the air while they breathe, to help them stay on track.
ENGAGE AS A FAMILY
Download the Breathe In, Breathe Out activity sheet.
Practice the breathing activities together as a family.
Share how you each individually feel after your practice together. Use the emotion chart to identify your current feeling.
Is there a part of the day that feels more stressful or tension-filled for you? Which part?
As you think about the week is there an upcoming time that you think breathing might be important?
CONTACT US
Alexia Martínez, M.BA
Senior Instructional Specialist
World Languages K-12 & Foreign Exchange Programs
Email: ajmartin@pasco.k12.fl.us
Website: http://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/oll/page/world_languages_foreign_exchange
Location: 7205 Land O' Lakes Boulevard, Land O Lakes, FL, USA
Phone: 813-794-2319
Twitter: @PascoWLanguages