I hope everyone is healthy and happy out there! Hopefully, everyone was able to get some good work done this week and settle into our current rhythm. I didn’t hear from you guys too much so I’m hoping that everything was accessible and easy to follow. The grade 2 team has discussed and worked on a bunch of things over the past week so we’ll be ready going forward!
There are a few updates I wanted to pass along before we get our weekends started. It is a long one so again, please take your time and read it thoroughly. There is a lot of important information and I do not wish for you to be overwhelmed. I normally try to keep it as short and sweet as I can, but there’s a lot to share today! Please be sure to check the Puma Paw on Sunday.
First, I wanted to make sure you know that next week, April 6th - April 10th is still considered spring break for students and staff. During this time, no work will be assigned. I know I’m going to be enjoying it and I’m sure you all will too (even if we have to stay home). Please take this time to breathe and relax; everyone definitely deserves it after the past few weeks! You and your child are welcome to refer to the Continuity of Education resources if you would like or complete unfinished work from the previous hyperdoc.
Secondly, we have a new suggested schedule for second grade. It will allow for more learning within our guideline of 60 minutes of work, plus additional independent reading time. You can view it HERE. As time goes on, the expectations may change (new content lessons rather than just review), but I believe this schedule will stay the same.
Additionally, I have decided to start awarding the kiddos Dojo points again. At this point, it will be solely used as feedback to show them that I see them doing their online work. I know that some parents do use it as a reward system as home so you are welcome to do so. I will be giving the kids a Dojo point for every 20 minutes they spend on Dreambox, RAZ kids, Reflex, and Lalilo from Sunday to Sunday; this is how I determine their Fun Friday time , but using Friday to Friday normally. So I will check the applications in the morning on Sundays and then they have the rest of the day until the following Sunday morning to earn points. Again, I am just using it as a way to recognize their hard work each week.
Finally, moving forward, we will be moving away from Google Classroom and start using Seesaw. I apologize for all the work and possible inconveniences you may have faced while trying to access the Google classroom. My team and I appreciate your dedication and willingness to support your students. We have chosen to move away from Google Classroom as it still poses issues for some families and we are trying to make everything as easy as possible. I will be posting the weekly hyperdocs on the blog and Seesaw; we will continue to post the hyperdocs in the Google Classroom as it will continue to be the central location of all second grade resources during this time.
Seesaw is a familiar program to the Room 20 kids as they have been using Seesaw all year to post their math facts work during math stations. It is SUPER user-friendly! The kids are able to post their work independently and it allows for quick and easy feedback. Please take time over the next week to explore Seesaw and get comfortable with it. There is a “Sandbox” for the kids to practice in and a growth mindset activity.
Please click here for directions on posting completed work (there is a video attached!).
Please click here for a cheat sheet about Seesaw (PLEASE READ!).
Please click here for an updated online resources page (class codes, passwords, access, etc.).
Thank you so much for all of your support, patience, and kindness as we journey along on this distance learning adventure together! It really does mean the world to me and my team that you are trusting us and giving us space to learn as we go. We are working hard to support our kids and our families through this time. We know that it cannot be easy on your end either so kudos to you and all that you are doing at home for yourself and your kiddos.
I really do truly miss the kiddos. I know they are missing their classmates, friends, and school each day. Hopefully, it will get a little easier and we will be able to communicate more freely as time goes on. Until then, I look forward to seeing their work and hearing from them as they learn and grow online.
Thank you so very much,
Ms. Stiffler
Please click here for an updated online resources page (class codes, passwords, access, etc.).
Thank you so much for all of your support, patience, and kindness as we journey along on this distance learning adventure together! It really does mean the world to me and my team that you are trusting us and giving us space to learn as we go. We are working hard to support our kids and our families through this time. We know that it cannot be easy on your end either so kudos to you and all that you are doing at home for yourself and your kiddos.
I really do truly miss the kiddos. I know they are missing their classmates, friends, and school each day. Hopefully, it will get a little easier and we will be able to communicate more freely as time goes on. Until then, I look forward to seeing their work and hearing from them as they learn and grow online.
Thank you so very much,
Ms. Stiffler
View the digital version of this letter, HERE.