Kindergarten Remote Learning Letter

I hope this letter finds you all healthy and safe during these stressful times. In this letter, I will be giving out information for how we will be moving forward with the school year and student learning beginning Monday, April 13th. It is extremely important that we dedicate the time needed to continue to work with our fantastic Kindergarteners. Mrs. Brackenridge and Beasley will be here with you every step of the way. This is completely uncharted waters for us so we are all in this together to support one another and continue to bring success to your child.

Communication/Learning Tools

• I will be communicating through email daily. It is very important to check every day for important information. Think of it as your child’s homework folder!
• I will have a daily schedule set up so we are able to teach the children virtually with your assistance via Google Hangouts. With this, the children will be able to physically see their teacher as well as their classmates. Parents will be able to type any questions they have about completing the work, and we will be available to support and answer virtually to assist you in working with your child. Please keep an eye out for an email with more information and instructions for the use of Google Hangout.
• For the first day (April 13th) we will be working on how to use the google hang out, and we will try our best to answer any questions before we get started on Tuesday, April 14th with class.
• I know this is a lot of information at once, we the Beasley team are here to help and assist you the best we can!
Hard Copy Packets/Emailed Packets
• Each week will consist of a packet of work your child will be responsible to complete. There are a few options for you. Packets will be emailed through a PDF and will be shared weekly if you wish to print on your own. If this does not work for you, you will also have 4 weeks of packets available beginning Monday, April 13th between the hours of 9:00 am – 1:00 pm for pick up.
• Packets/work will consist of various response sheets to texts we will be working on. I will be reading the stories virtually to the students just like we do in class!
• You will also have a math packet. We ask that you do not go ahead and do it, these packets will be utilized with your child’s teacher on Google Hangout or will be assigned on a specific day.
Learning Environment/Materials
• It is important that your child is set up with a learning environment with minimal distractions when we begin each day. Treat this just like preparing for school!
• Make sure they have a good night sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and prepare to start their school day. We ask that TV and music are turned off so they can focus on what we are doing.
• I am trying to provide them with as much structure as I can at this time. I know this is going to be a challenge, so I completely understand things happen. We are just trying to support you and the children as much as we can.
• Students will need pretty much the same things as they would for their homework. They need to have sharpened pencils ready to go, crayons or colored pencils, a pair of scissors, and a glue stick. On the last day of class students were sent home with usernames and passwords for IXL, amplify, and sight words lists. If you have not received these things, please let me know so I can let administration know to have it ready for pick up at the designating times above.

Weeks 1-4 Work/Grading Work

• Each week we will be focusing on a different text, comprehension skills, phonics, writing, math, science and social studies. I will introduce these skills through our Google Hangout sessions. Children will then complete response sheets working on various comprehension skills. If your child needs to hear the story again you can go on YouTube, type the title and author in the search, and it should pop right up!
• Please adhere to the attached daily schedule. We will do our best to follow this, however, if we need to adjust somethings you will be made aware.
• I will only ask for a few assignments to be turned in. I will not count these assignments as grades. I ask for this only to help assist your child and inform them on ways they can improve by providing feedback. I may ask you to take a picture of an assignment and send it via email.
Book Titles/Authors:
Week 1: “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” and “The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog” by Mo Willems
• Week 2: “A Sick Day for Amos McGee” by Phillip C. Stead
• Week 3: “How I Became a Pirate” by Melinda Long and David Shannon
• Week 4: “Hello Ocean” by Pam Munoz Ryan

Google Hang out/Teacher Office Hours

• Each day I will complete a lesson virtually (Google Hangout) from 9:00 till about 10:30. During this time, students will be engaging with their teacher, classmates, as well as completing their work with parental/guardian assistance.
• If you have any questions for your child’s teacher, I will be available between 10:30am -12:30pm Monday – Friday (teacher office hours) to answer any questions via email. During that time I can focus on what your child needs individually or answer any concerns/question you may have.

Final Thoughts

I completely understand this can seem very overwhelming, I am feeling it too! Please know we are all in this together and our end goal is all the same; to support your child the best I can and continue to help them grow academically as well as socially during these especially difficult times. It is definitely going to be a learning process, but I feel strongly that if we all come together we can make it happen. Please remember keeping your families healthy and safe right now are the most important things. I love and miss your children dearly and cannot wait to see their faces on our computer screens!
Sending lots of hugs and love,
Mrs. Brackenridge