Distance Learning Support

Supporting Learning at Home

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

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

Chromebooks are available for Monroe School District-enrolled students to check out. If your child needs a device, please contact your child's school to arrange a time to come to campus and check one out. School contact information can be found here.

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

Canvas

i-Ready

What is i-Ready?

i-Ready is an online program for reading and math that helps 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 students can learn at a pace that is just right for them.

Importance of the Diagnostic Assessment

Information from your student’s diagnostic test determines the level of lessons your student receives, and it also helps teachers and schools support your student throughout the year.

Students in grades 1-8 completed their diagnostic assessments for math and reading remotely from home this year. Students took diagnostics in small groups during school hours so that teachers could provide support and monitor progress. Below are some suggestions about how parents can help their children during diagnostic 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 is to identify how teachers and schools can best support your student. Please do not help students answer the questions.

Think of it this way—would you help your child with a vision test? No, because hints won’t help the eye doctor help your child. 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 learn 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: Sept 21st - 25th Math Diagnostic: Sept 28th - Oct 2	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

Additional Resources

District Approved Curriculum

District Approved Online Resources

School Name

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