Buffett Digital Learning
At-Home Tips for Success
Parents:
First and foremost, thank you for your flexibility, patience, and understanding as we all navigate new territory over this next week and possibly longer. This newsletter is designed to try to help answer some questions you may have about the digital work your student(s) will be receiving.
Please know that, for now, the digital learning activities being sent are designed to keep students engaged in learning. The assignments aren't graded but encouraging and aiding your student in the completion of the activities will help them transition more smoothly when they return to school.
The Importance of Structure
Missing school can be fun for sure! However, in these ever-changing circumstances, missing school can prove to be stressful for students and parents.
Providing students with a structure that replicates a school day can provide a sense of security to your students. Below is an example schedule that you could use to design a schedule that works for your family.
Keep these things in mind when creating a schedule:
- students are not expected to sit for extended amounts of time at school
- blocks are 73 minutes but are broken into about four transitions (warm up, direct instruction, partner/group work, and a summary)
- break up long periods with a chance to move around or talk about every 20 minutes
- sticking to a regular schedule can reduce anxiety
- regular bedtimes and wake up times will help your child readjust to school when it is back in session
Cox Connect2Compete Discounted Internet for Families
If you find yourself in need of assistance in attaining a home WiFi connection, Cox Cable offers their Cox Connect2Compete program for families in need. The program offers WiFi for $9.95 per month. Cox is offering special discounts for families due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
From the Cox Communications Website:
What if My Student Doesn't Have their Laptop?
Parents of Students Whose Laptops were in for Repair:
Parents were emailed separately with directions for picking up any laptops that returned from repair over Spring Break.
Parents that were not Sent and Email:
Your child's laptop is not back from repair and here are your options.
The building will be open on Monday, March 16, only. You may go to the main office to check out a loaner laptop. Your child's original laptop will remained checked out to them. When your child's laptop returns from repair, they will turn the loaner back into Mr. Spore. This is not our normal protocol as we typically do not have enough extras to maintain the amount of laptops needed. We luckily are in good shape currently.
Your child will need to bring their assigned laptop bag to check out a loaner and all expectations per the technology user agreement signed at the beginning of the year apply to the loaner. Your child will be able to go to their locker if their bag is at school.
Parents that are not able to pick up a laptop on Monday, March 16:
Here are options to access school work without a school assigned laptop.
On a phone:
- Download the "Outlook" email app to your phone or your child's phone
- students login to the app with their school email username and password
- All other O365 online applications can also be downloaded to phones and used using your child's username and password.
- Go to login.microsoftonline.com and login to their school email with their school username and password.
- From there, students can access ALL online O365 applications.
- Students can also use the "Install Apps" link to download FULL desktop versions of ALL O365 applications to your home device.
All non-O365 applications are web-based and can be accessed either by phone or available home/personal devices.
Commonly Used Applications
Teachers have been using several applications with students over the past three years of teaching in a 1:1 learning environment. Any of the following applications are ones you may see.
O365 Applications
Other than the typical Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, and Excel, these applications are a part of the OPS provided O365 package for all students and teachers and can be located through the waffle in Outlook.
Outlook
Group Emails
Main access to the Waffle to locate other O365 apps.
App can be downloaded to phones.
Access on a home laptop can be accessed by going to login.microsoftonline.com
One Drive
Cloud storage for files.
Files need to be saved here in order to share them with others.
Always name files with the assignment name.
TEAMS
Group work space.
Some teachers post assignments here.
Students can complete work and teachers can grade it and give feedback digitally.
FlipGrid
Video recording applications.
Teachers sometimes use this to have students record a video reflective response to content.
One Note
One Note is a digital notebook.
Some teachers use it to distribute work to students.
Students can complete work and teachers can grade it and give feedback digitally.
Forms
Teachers may use this application for assigning online assessments.
NON-O365 Applications
Flocabulary
Engaging vocabulary activities set to rap music.
Teachers can assign specific word lists to students.
The app takes students through 6 exercises to practice the words.
NEARPOD
Brain Pop
IXL-Language Arts and Math
Ed Puzzle
Padlet
Quizlet
Quizziz
Quizzilize
Library Resources for Digital Books
Need a good book but can't get to the library??
OPS offers two places for checking out online books that can be read on phones, tablets, and school assigned laptops.
Students sign into either application with their student ID for the username and their birth date (MM/DD/YY) for the password.
SORA
Over Drive
OPS Library Services
OPS offers many other resources through library services for students.
Click the picture to visit the OPS Library Services Website.
Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School
Website: buffett.ops.org
Location: 14101 Larimore Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 531-299-2320
Twitter: @BuffettMagnet