Virtual Tiger Cubs Preschool Overview
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Starting with the 2021-22 school year, West Des Moines Community Schools is excited to offer a virtual option for Tiger Cubs Preschool. The purpose of virtual preschool is to offer further flexibility with a half-day program, especially regarding transportation and child care. Students will still be able to build meaningful relationships with their classmates and teachers, while also developing the skills in the Iowa Early Learning Standards.
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All learning will be aligned with the Iowa Early Learning Standards and learning targets. Teachers will plan and provide for the instructional needs of each student. An essential part of any classroom learning experience is specific and thoughtful feedback from the teacher to the learner and parent/guardian.
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Students are expected to be in attendance during virtual learning. If a student is unable to attend a live virtual session, an email will be sent to the instructor, including the parent/guardian and student. The student will be expected to watch the recording in their own time.
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Canvas is West Des Moines Community Schools’ official learning management system. A learning management system helps provide, track, and report on classes and assignments. Students and families can find important information like textbooks, resources, homework, discussions, and more in Canvas. Secondary families may be familiar with Canvas, but elementary families may not have used Canvas yet. Here are some helpful Canvas resources:
Virtual Preschool Schedule Components
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We plan for preschoolers learning online to follow a schedule with some whole class virtual meetings and built-in breaks.
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The virtual class check-in will be an opportunity for students and teachers to connect with each other. Virtual class check-ins will be conducted using Google Meets or Zoom. A link can be found in your student’s Canvas course. During the virtual class check-in, teachers will engage students in community-building activities, provide learning targets for the day, and review the learning plan for group learning opportunities.
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The virtual learning block will be an opportunity for students and teachers to connect with each other. Virtual learning blocks will be conducted using Google Meets or Zoom. A link can be found in your student’s Canvas course. During virtual learning blocks, teachers may provide direct instruction, review asynchronous learning activities, engage students in class discussions as well as collaborative group work.
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The virtual class closing in will be an opportunity for students and teachers to connect with each other. Virtual class closings will be conducted using Google Meets or Zoom. A link can be found in your student’s Canvas course. During the virtual class closing, teachers will engage students in community building activities, review/share independent learning from the day, and preview content for the following day.
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Students will engage in independent learning through the weekly learning plans that will be posted to Canvas. Teachers will provide students with additional content area lessons, independent activities, and opportunities to collaborate with their peers. Breaks and additional extension activities are recommended. Below are ideas to support academic skills and social-emotional health through activities that extend beyond assigned remote learning work. NOT VIRTUAL.
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During this time, students will continue to engage in independent learning through the weekly learning plans that will be posted to Canvas. Students will engage in virtual small groups throughout the week. Teachers may meet with students in a small group for a variety of reasons including providing additional support around learning targets and success criteria, promoting learner agency by setting goals with students, providing feedback around goal areas, and developing relationships through collaborative learning experiences. Students may also engage in live virtual instruction to meet individual IEP, English Learner, and/or other specific needs. Teachers will schedule with individual or small groups of students. POSSIBLE VIRTUAL LEARNING.
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Students will explore their environment through their senses, promoting curiosity, problem-solving, decision-making, critical thinking, and creativity across all areas of development, including fine and gross motor, cognitive, math, literacy, and science. NOT VIRTUAL.
Suggestion for Additional Activities
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- Puzzles
- Building with blocks or Legos
- Listen to a story
- Draw or paint
- Listen to music or sing
- Imaginative play
- Meditate
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- Take a walk
- Dance
- Exercise
- Fine/gross motor activities
- Stretch or do yoga
- Play a sport
- Playing (inside or outside)
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- Clean up your room
- Do age-appropriate chores
- Gardening
- Fix something broken
- Take care of pets or plants
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- Write a letter to someone
- Play board games with a family member
- Tell jokes or riddles
- Build a fort and tell stories in it
- Offer to help someone
- Bake/cook
Student/Parent/Teacher Responsibilities
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Effective teaching and learning requires a collaborative effort between students, parents/guardians, and school staff. Below are some of the key responsibilities each team member should demonstrate while engaging in remote learning.
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- Engage in synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities.
- Complete assigned work by the due date.
- Ask clarifying questions and advocate for self when not understanding.
- Share evidence of learning with teachers.
- Reflect on learning and growth.
- Be respectful and follow agreed-upon virtual expectations.
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- Assist students with accessing technology
- Assist students with submitting evidence of student learning
- Provide input on students’ learning.
- Review work assigned to the student.
- Reserve a space for students to complete remote learning work.
- Encourage students to get enough sleep.
- Set sensible time limits for technology use.
- Connect with students about their learning.
- Help students establish and follow regular daily routines.
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- Design standards-aligned lesson plans to provide synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities.
- Record virtual sessions for students and families.
- Provide timely feedback to students on progress related to learning activities.
- Utilize student evidence to document progress toward learning targets and standards.
- Communicate and maintain daily office hours.
- Communicate regularly with students and parents and respond to questions during office hours.
- Establish routines for virtual learning and relationships.
- Plan to create a sense of safety, connectedness, and hope.
- Support positive behavior (EC-PBIS) in a virtual space.
- Provide accommodations for individual learner needs.
