Tips and Resources for Remote Learning

Hello, everyone, and welcome to my page!  Your teacher may have sent you here, or you may be a teacher or parent of a teen student in need of help right now. We’re navigating quite a situation here, but it will all be ok. It’s really tough to teach this age level without content-specific knowledge. Math Giraffe offers ideas, insights, resources, and teaching materials to guide you in teaching math creatively. But I’ve also been working on some posts for all different aspects of teaching teens (and pre-teens) lately.

We all understand these are hard and scary times, and students and teachers everywhere are adapting to remote learning.  So, we want to provide tips and resources for you. (Note: this is more geared towards middle and high school. So if you have a teen or pre-teen stick around!)

First and Foremost…
Take a deep breath...that’s right..inhale, exhale.  Our world is a little shaken up right now, but we will get through this, together.

Get Focused
The most you may have ever done for your child regarding schoolwork is help with homework.  So, of course, you might be feeling overwhelmed with schools closed. First thing you need to do is get organized.

• Find a space with limited distractions and a table or desk with a comfortable chair.  Gather all supplies (technology, pencils, papers, etc.)
  
• Help your child stay motivated by scheduling a period of time for work, followed by a “brain break” (a few minutes where they can relax...Go to this link for some ideas.)
  
• Depending on your child’s level of independence, they may be able to complete work unassisted.  It still wouldn’t hurt to communicate with your child to ensure they’re doing what they are supposed to and meeting their goals. You know your child best and will have to adapt to their level.
  

Resources to Help You Understand Remote Learning and Technology
Remote Learning includes embracing technology. Many classrooms have switched to Google Classrooms.  Here are some resources to help you learn:

(If you’re a teacher, my friend Leah Cleary shares some great remote learning tips here.)

• Remote Learning Tips for Parents: Watch this teacher guide you through helping your child use Google Classroom.  This video is more geared toward parents of younger children, but can help you understand
  
• Getting Started with Google Classroom:  Here is a Youtube Video that teaches teachers to get started using Google Classroom.  It will give you a great perspective on how teachers are going about this, so you can understand and help your child.
  
• Remote Learning Now Podcast: This podcast was specifically created for the COVID-19 outbreak to help inspire you on your remote learning journey.
  
• Read these additional tips from CNBC.  Tips from a real parent who has made this work, with things like set a schedule and set boundaries.
  

Extra Learning for Teens (That are FREE!)    

• Here are some Youtube Channels that could help
  
• The Learning Network by the New York Times provides awesome writing prompts daily based on Times articles.  Have your child practice critical thinking about important current events.
  
• Read Works helps with reading comprehension for levels K-12,  The content is free, but they do request donations.
  
• Accessibyte apps were made with visually-impaired students in mind.Users typically have to pay for access to their tutors and games for your child, but during this complex time they are offering a 45-day trial.
  
• Ascend math, which offers a wide range of math instruction will be free until the end of April!
  
• Belouga provides an extensive collection of educational materials, using a global approach to learning.
  
• Code.org teaches kids K-12 to code for free.
  

How Stuff Works provides a variety of articles, games, quizzes, and more on topics that can capture students’ attention.