Mr. Howard’s Class Distance Learning
The Chalkboard
Distance Learning Mission
Members of Mr. Howard’s class aim to be people of good character. This continues to be our mission during distance learning.
My family is missing “normal.” My sons are missing their friends–from the neighborhood, from school, and from daycare. My wife and I are missing our work routines. We are missing the regular structure of our daily lives. Through the course of the stay-at-home order that we have been living under since mid-March, I have tried to maintain my connections with my friends and my family. Through phone calls, text messages, and face time calls, I have tried to create alternatives for that social connection. Admittedly, these forms of communication have not been adequate substitutes.
So, as I began planning lessons for distance learning, I wanted to provide you and your families a potential source of connection during social distancing. I looked for, created, and adapted lessons and projects that are based upon sixth-grade standards and the real-world use of those standards. I, then, took it a step further and tried to add in an element that will reconnect you with your friends, with me, and your community.
It is my sincerest hope that you will find these five weeks of distance learning to be fun, engaging, and relevant to your life. I look forward to seeing you again soon. I’ll leave you with the following Ancient Civilizations question: Did you know the first French fries weren’t actually cooked in France? They were cooked in Greece.
Minutes of Daily Planned Lessons
Reading
Writing
Math
Science
Social Studies
All Other Subjects
Distance Learning Technologies
EGUSD Portal
Students have used the EGUSD Portal as a central access point for curriculum resources and other learning tools.
Google Classroom
Students have used the Google Classroom many times during this school year. Google Classroom will be the hub for distributing lessons and instructions. Access Google Classroom from the EGUSD Portal.
Google Drive
Google Drive will serve as a digital file cabinet for all Google Docs, Google Slides and other materials they will be using during distance learning.
Google Docs, Slides & Forms
Students have used Google Docs during this school year. Students may have used Google Slides and Google Forms in previous school years. Support will be provided, if needed. Students can gain access to these apps from the Portal.
Think Central
Think Central is the website for Go Math, our math curriculum. It will be used to deliver math instruction. Access Think Central through the Portal.
YouTube
YouTube will be used to deliver instruction on various topics. Links to specific YouTube videos will be provided through the Google Classroom.
Kids Wonder Online
This service is brand new to students. Students will need to complete some initial steps before using the service. They will receive detailed instructions on how to set this service up.
Imagine Learning
This service will be used by English language learners, so not all students will be using this service. It is new to students, and they will need to complete some initial set up to use this service. Detailed instructions will be provided.
Distance Learning Grading
During distance learning, students will still receive letter grades in academic areas on their Trimester 3 report cards. However, how students earn letter grades will be different.
Students are expected to demonstrate their understandings of the sixth-grade standards. However, not all daily assignments will be used to determine an academic grade. Required assignments that will be used for an academic grade will be clearly identified in the weekly information students will receive via the Google Classroom.
Students who complete and turn in a required assignment will receive a C automatically on the assignment. The student work will be reviewed for the accuracy and clarity of the work specific to the key concepts the assignment addresses. If the student’s work demonstrates well-reasoned ideas and understandings of the key concepts, the assignment will receive an A. If the student’s work demonstrates some understanding of the key concepts, the student will receive a B.
Office Hours
I will be available to offer support to students and parents every weekday from 3PM to 4PM. If you would like me to reach out to you, please fill out the form below. I will make every attempt to respond within 24 hours.
Contact Mr. Howard
Parent Tips
Distance Learning is new to parents, too! Learn about how you can support your child with this new type of learning. Discover some possible strategies to maximize learning and sanity.
Day ONe
Its April 20, Day One of distance learning! Set yourself up for success by completing a scavenger hunt to familiarize yourself with your digital learning environment! and the tools you will used for the next five weeks.
Latest News
Open communication is going to be a key to everyone’s success during distance learning. As a way to keep you posted on the current events of distance learning, please read (and subscribe) to the blog.
Weekly Overviews
Find out a general idea of what is in store for the next five weeks. These weekly overviews give you an idea of what to expect every week. (Weeklies may change in response to student needs.)