Distance Learning Support
Supporting Learning at Home
- Create a Learning Schedule and Space
- Provide Learning Materials and Tools
- Share Learning with Teachers
- Accessing Skyward / Family Access
Create a Learning Schedule and Space
Sustained periods of virtual education are successful when students have a routine to follow and a space in which to work and learn. As you consider how to support your child's online learning, be clear about the time of day any online video sessions will be held as well as the extent of the assignments your student will be asked to complete. If you're not sure, ask your child's teacher(s). Once you have an idea about daily time commitments, plan a schedule for your child to follow. Stick to as predictable a daily routine as possible. Don't forget to include times for breaks and lunch. In addition developing a daily learning schedule, it is important to identify an at-home learning space. Ideally, this space should have:
- A computer, iPad, Chromebook or other device
- Good lighting
- Ready access to learning materials and tools
A dedicated learning space for virtual learning should ideally be located in a shared area of your home such as at the kitchen table, a large kitchen counter, or a desk in a living room or family room. When your student's learning space is separate from their bedroom and distanced from the television, it sets the expectation and tone that the space is for work and not play. Additionally, an online learning space in a shared area allows parents and guardians to readily support learning while also monitoring online activity.
Provide Learning Materials and Tools
Nothing disrupts a person's ability to do planned tasks than having to stop and find the materials and tools that are needed for the task. Virtual learning experiences don't just require a device. Students who are learning virtually should also have the following materials and tools available to them:
- Paper, pencils, and pens
- Calculator, ruler, compass, counters (e.g., dry beans), or other items to support math
- Textbooks, trade books, composition notebooks, and other necessary curriculum resources provided by your student's teacher
- Phone, iPad, or computer with camera for taking pictures of work and/or recording videos of learning demonstrations
The above list is not exhaustive. As Monroe educators get smarter together about providing online learning as an option for students, this list will grow and guidance will be provided to parents and caregivers about how to access such materials and tools.
Share Learning with Teachers
We heard from many parents/guardians, students and teachers who wanted a single, easy location for classes. Canvas is our learning management system. This tool provides students, parents/guardians and teachers a way to engage with learning materials from home, in the classroom and beyond. Families will be able to access course materials, grades, calendars and more!
Accessing Skyward / Family Access
To help parents get the most out of school, you want day-to-day insight into the academic experience. With the Family Access web portal, students and families can access near real-time information on attendance, class schedules, report cards, course history, graduation status and more.
Family Access allows parents to access their student's:
- Attendance
- Class Schedules
- Course History
- Graduation Status
- Mid-term/Quarter and Final/Semester Grades
- School Information
- Demographic Information
A single username and password allows parents to access information for all of their children, regardless of the grade level or school of attendance. Each parent has an individual account that covers all children.
Technology Support & Tutorials for Students & Families
If you are having trouble accessing our online resources or are experiencing technological difficulties with your district-owned Chromebook, please call our Technology Help Desk (Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).
(360) 804-2520
Quick Start Guide for Families
Chromebooks & Student Log-In
Each of our schools will soon be hosting a day for students/families to come check out Chromebooks. Each school will communicate with families via email when their details for Chromebook distribution have been finalized. You may also check out district calendar for event information.
Your Student's Login Information
How to use your Chromebook Touchpad
- See all open windows
- Switch between internet tabs
- Right click and scroll
Chromebook Sign In and Basic Use
Chromebook Keyboard Tips and Tricks
- Search button
- Caps Lock
- How to find all Keyboard Shortcuts
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i-Ready
What is i-Ready?
i-Ready is an online program for reading and math that will help your student’s teacher(s) determine your student’s needs, personalize their learning, and monitor progress throughout the school year. In the Monroe School District,
i-Ready is used in grades K-8.
i-Ready consists of two parts: Diagnostic and Personalized Instruction. The i-Ready Diagnostic is an adaptive assessment that adjusts its questions to suit your student’s needs. i-Ready Personalized Instruction provides students with lessons based on their individual skill level and needs, so your student can learn at a pace that is just right for them.
Importance of the Diagnostic Assessment
Since we are starting the year at a distance, it is important that we work together as students take their diagnostic at home. The information from your student’s diagnostic will determine the level of lessons your student receives, and will also help teachers and our schools support your student this fall.
Over the next few weeks (9/14 - 10/9) students in grades 1st - 8th will complete a diagnostic assessment for math and reading. Students will take their diagnostic in small groups during school hours so that teachers can provide support and monitor progress. Below are ways that you can support your student(s) during this time.
How to support your student(s) with the i-Ready diagnostic at home
During the diagnostic, you may be tempted to help your student on the test. We get it—the i-Ready test is hard, and students may ask for help. But this test is not for a grade, the purpose to identify how teachers and schools can best support your student. Please, do not help students answer questions on the diagnostic tests.
Think of it this way—would you help your child with a vision test? No, because hints won’t help the eye doctor help them. With i-Ready, hints on the test now could negatively impact your child’s instruction later.
Before the diagnostic:
- Make sure your student can access i-Ready. Click here to see instructions.
- Watch this video, “Family Guidance video for the Diagnostic at Home”: English | Spanish
-
Read through the family checklist and supporting phrases: English | Spanish | Additional languages
During the diagnostic:
- Provide a place for students to take the diagnostic away from distractions.
- Do not help your student. (We want to see how much they know and can do on their own)
-
Encourage students to do their best, show work on paper, and know that this diagnostic will help teachers know how to support them.
Assessment Window and Schedule
|
Grades |
Diagnostic Window |
Subject |
Format / Notes |
|
MVLA 1st - 8th |
September 14 - October 2 |
ELA & Math |
Monroe Virtual Learning Academy: Teachers will be contacting students to schedule times for students to take the diagnostics within this time frame. |
|
1st - 5th |
September. 14 - October 2 |
ELA & Math |
Students will take their diagnostic in small groups so that teachers can provide support and monitor progress. |
|
6th - 8th |
ELA Diagnostic: Math Diagnostic: |
Math & ELA |
Students will take this during their scheduled ELA or Math class time. Most students will start i-Ready ELA lessons by Sept. 28th and i-Ready math lessons by October 5th. |
What should students work on prior to completing the diagnostic assessment?
Kindergarten
-
Students are able to start on i-Ready lessons without completing the diagnostic.
1st - 5th Grade
- Reading: Find a book for students and have them engage in independent reading time.
-
Math: Students can engage in the i-Ready Math learning games before completing the diagnostic. How to Access Learning Games and Assigned Lessons
6th - 8th Grade
- Reading: Find a book for students and have them engage in independent reading time.
- Math: Students have a few different opportunities to engage with i-Ready math before completing the diagnostic. How to Access Learning Games and Assigned Lessons
- 6th Grade Learning Games: Hungry Fish, Zoom, Bounce, Match, Pizza and Cupcake.
- 7th Grade Learning Games: Hungry Fish, Match, and Cupcake.
-
8th Grade Lessons: Understand Algebraic Expressions, Equivalent Expressions & the Distributive Property, Understand Proportional Relationships, Solve Multi-Step Equations (Part 1), & Solving Linear Equations
Zoom
Zoom! A Guide for Families
Click here to see a full list of tutorials from Zoom on YouTube: English | Español