Douglas Public Schools

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Parents may be worried that their children will fall behind academically if they miss class. It’s likely that your school will provide homework or online learning for students while they’re closed. Some schools may already have software they use for online learning such as Google Classroom. 

Be sure to ask your school what plan they have in place for remote learning while schools are closed. 

Even if your school does not have a plan in place, there’s a lot of great support available for keeping children on track academically. 

• The online learning movement has been active for over a decade and many free, superb tools exist that require zero parent involvement. Khan Academy is a great online learning tool for grades K-12. It’s aligned with state standards and common core and can track your child’s progress and personalize learning according to your child’s strengths and weaknesses. 

• For a list of other free online learning resources for parents compiled by home educators, visit this link. 

• Another useful list is here: http://www.amazingeducationalresources.com/

• You can also encourage your child to go beyond their academic requirements and learn computer programming by checking out Code.org.

• Common Sense Media has a wealth of resources here: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/resources-for-families-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic
  
  

Recommended workbooks and offline learning programs

There are many high quality offline academic curriculum options available for purchase. Utilizing a prepared curriculum provides parents with academic solutions that have been created to suit different learning styles and different levels of parental supervision. There are mastery based and spiral based mathematics, literature based programs, living book programs, classical education programs, cross-discipline options for integrating several subjects into lessons, unit study programs, project based learning, and more. The most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to choosing curricula is to consider if the family’s needs require more parent-child cooperative learning, or a more independent learning model - both options are available across several learning and teaching styles. Many curriculum publishers have assessments available to help determine which level is appropriate for the student’s aptitude.

Complete Curriculums

These publishers offer complete curriculum packages and a la carte options.

• Moving Beyond the Page Incorporates state standards to teach the skills and content needed in each subject area - including math, language arts, writing, science, social studies, and history. 

  https://movingbeyondthepage.com 

• Oak Meadow Each coursebook includes 36-weekly lesson plans, with a variety of assignments, activities, and readings, teacher manuals, craft kits, and supplementary materials are available.

  https://www.oakmeadow.com/

• Build Your Library A Charlotte Mason inspired homeschool curriculum with a 21st century twist.

  https://buildyourlibrary.com/

• Torchlight Curriculum A Socratic-inspired approach with Humanist underpinnings. A worldly approach full of logic, equality, and empathy. https://torchlightcurriculum.com/torchlight/

   

Mathematics

• Right Start Math Uses visualization of quantities, and provides strategies and games for learning the facts.

  https://rightstartmath.com/

• Math U See Structured with step-by-step procedures for introducing, reviewing, practicing, and mastering concepts,  using multi-sensory tools such as videos, manipulatives, and other resources, designed to appeal to any type of learner. https://www.mathusee.com/

• Singapore Math Focuses on building problem-solving skills and an in-depth understanding of essential math skills. https://www.singaporemath.com/

• Saxon Math Scaffolded instruction of each concept continues to review information introduced earlier, allowing students the time and practice to retain math concepts to the level of mastery.

  https://www.hmhco.com/programs/saxon-math

   

Language Arts

• Essentials in Writing A complete writing curriculum which includes both grammar and composition instruction for grades one through twelve with teaching presented either on DVDs or via streaming video.

  https://essentialsinwriting.com/

• IEW Incremental and effective writing lessons provide clear daily assignments and include vocabulary words, literature suggestions, and lesson plans for teachers. https://iew.com/

• Brave Writer Focuses on establishing writing voice and the writing process in children and teens first, by helping parents foster the right environment for writing risks, and provides parents with instruction in how to nurture and draw out the writing voices of their children. https://bravewriter.com/

   

History

• Pandia Press History Odyssey and History Quest include craft projects, art projects, cooking, and coloring to engage students. Each study guide integrates geography and age-appropriate reading books with the study  of history. https://www.pandiapress.com/history-odyssey/

• Critical Thinking World History Detective Book Can be used as a standards-based, stand-alone textbook, a resource of supplemental activities to enrich another textbook, or as a review course for older students.

  https://www.criticalthinking.com/world-history-detective-book.html

• Critical Thinking US History Detective Book Can be used as a stand-alone textbook, supplement to your textbook, or as a review course for older students. The vocabulary and content skills are based on common state social studies standards. https://www.criticalthinking.com/us-history-detective-book-2.html

Science



• Pandia Press Science Odyssey Created with the science novice in mind, includes a complete supply list, a suggested weekly schedule, answer keys, and easy-to-follow instructions for completing labs activities. Incorporates mathematics, scientific method, and science terminology at age-appropriate levels. https://www.pandiapress.com/real-science-odyssey/

• Secular Eclectic Academic The Science of Climate Change: A Hands-On Course focuses on the science concepts needed to understand why the climate is changing at this time, how humans are responsible, and what can be done to slow or stop the global warming that is causing climate change.

  https://seculareclecticacademic.com/science-climate-change-hands-on-course/

• Be Naturally Curious sells mini-courses in the form of downloadable PDFs, each of which focuses on a core scientific concept. Each mini-course also incorporates a range of nontraditional teaching techniques, including an illustrated story, a craft or manipulable, a game, and an experiment or outdoor field activity.

  https://benaturallycurious.com/

Free online learning resources

Many free resources exist for parents who want to ensure that their children are staying on track academically. 

• Parents may wish to start with Khan Academy which provides free personalized, on-line lessons for children that are engaging and require zero parent involvement. Khan Academy is also aligned with state standards. Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/

• Learning at home by yourself can be hard. In addition to reading, writing, and math, add a fun new learning activity to remote learning by helping your child learn to code their own app or game on Code.org. 

• For more resources compiled by educators who are familiar with using online learning tools to supplement or enhance their child’s learning, visit this list compiled by home educators. 

Connect with parents experienced with distance learning

Resources for parents not familiar with technology or online learning are abundant. Those having difficulty choosing which platforms and apps to use or using these tools for the first time can try these options:

• To connect with parents who are experienced with online and distance learning for additional support, consider joining the S.E.A Facebook group (Secular, Eclectic, Academic Homeschoolers).

• To be matched with a parent or learning specialist for additional support, please contact us here.

Start a Microschool

Microschooling is a model of education where parents can start schools in their home for their own kids. This is a been proven, viable solution for families wondering how to educate their children during these times.

Parents can support and guidance in starting a Microschool with their children from Prenda.  https://home.prendaschool.com/

Here are some other tips for starting your own microschool:

• Get your kids together. Learning works best in a social setting, even if it's your own kids.

• Set a schedule. It doesn’t have to be long and it doesn’t have to be rigid, but agreeing to a time and place to meet each day is a great way to create a sense of official-ness and mutual accountability.

  • Conquer mode :  Kids work independently on computers, moving at their own pace on math, English, or other subjects. Use tools like Khan Academy, No Red Ink, Mystery Science and tons more.

  • Collaborate mode: A structured group activity where everyone puts away their computers and interacts face to face. It’s a fun and engaging way to learn rational thinking, interpersonal communication, problem-solving, research skills, and scientific methods. Consider having a debate, solving a math puzzle, doing a science project, etc, You can do these activities with the whole family!

  • Create mode: This is a chance for your kids to unlock their creativity and work together to make projects they are proud of.

  • Taken from schoolclosures.org