Learning Letters from Mrs. Ridder
Assignment & Handout Downloads
April 5, 2020
Greetings!
I hope that you all are doing well. It’s so hard to imagine that it has been almost a month since I have seen your child. I miss the students, the laughter, stories, and I wish that we could get back into the classroom. Unfortunately with the announcement this week, that won’t happen the rest of the year and we have moved into the remote learning phase. Here are some key points I wanted to make you aware of going forward for the rest of the year:
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The district announced that remote learning will take place going forward and new curriculum and skill work will be posted by teachers starting Monday, April 6.
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Students will earn a grade of “S” satisfactory or “U” unsatisfactory for 4th quarter. Those grades earned will be based on the work completed by the student.
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Every Monday, new Language Arts curriculum material will be posted for the week in Google Classroom. This will be a weekly chart explaining work to complete for each day.
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A Powerpoint, posted in your child’s google classroom tomorrow, should explain how to use the weekly calendar. Additional videos may be linked on the weekly calendar to explain how to complete the activities.
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Beginning April 13, I will host daily office hours on zoom. At that time, I will be available for anyone who needs help with their Language Arts assignments. It is NOT required that you attend these hours and is only for students who have a question or need help.
My hours THIS week are: T-TH 10:00-11:00. Hours will change as needed in the weeks to come. Thanks for being flexible.
As we move to a digital learning environment, it is important to understand how we should engage with each other online. It's essential to remind your child that everyone behaves appropriately. Students must follow the student “Responsible Use Agreement”. Adults need to follow the rules online, as well.
As a quick reminder, when you're online, be sure to:
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Use respectful behavior and language.
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Stick to appropriate topic discussions.
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Send only school appropriate messages.
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Wear school appropriate clothing if you are attending meetings via video.
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Be honest. Do not plagiarize or copy others’ work. In other words, use academic integrity.
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Do not falsify information about yourself or impersonate others.
When everyone remembers to act kindly, show consideration for others, and treat one another online as you wish to be treated in person, we'll all be able to focus on learning.
I am looking forward to your partnership as we finish out 4th quarter and the rest of the year. I am STILL here for your child, it will just look a little different. Please email me with any questions you may have. I wish you and your family well.
Thank you!
Kim Ridder
March 29, 2020
Hello,
I hope this email finds you all healthy! Monday starts our 2nd week with review materials. The materials were put together by the district for the different curriculum areas and are meant as a review of quarters 1, 2 and 3 material. Overall, we are estimating that only about 50 percent of our students are taking advantage of the materials provided, probably because they are optional. We are hoping that this will increase next week.
Even though this week's materials are optional, I also plan on offering a few new opportunities. I am hoping that more students will log on to prepare themselves for the remote online learning that will begin, if school is not back in session, on April 6th. At that time, all classes will be providing students with new learning and practice, two to three times per week. Students will be expected to complete the work and turn it into their teachers.
In addition to lessons, teachers will be available to conference with students and answer questions through Zoom sessions. I will plan on offering Zoom sessions twice a week during certain hours to help my students. I plan on doing a practice Zoom with students this Friday at 9:00 AM to help introduce them to the technology and answer any questions they may have.
Please know that although this situation is unique and challenging for all of us, teachers are working hard on creating quality learning experiences for students. Together, we can all get through this and come out on the other side, stronger than before.
As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have. I may not be able to answer them, but I can find someone who can.
Have a wonderful week!
Kim
March 23, 2020
Hello,
Wow, that’s all I can really say at this time. I can honestly say that I never thought I would be teaching during a time like this and I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around it--I’m sure that you are all experiencing similar emotions.
Please know that all the teachers and staff of Scott have been working hard to make sure that we are prepared to do our job remotely, as long as the district requires us to. There are so many unknowns, but I know together, we can provide our students with the best possible learning opportunities.
One of the ways I plan to communicate with my students during this time is through my website and online planbook. You can access my planbook at https://www.mrsridder.com. My online planbook can be found under the tab, Today’s Schedule/Events. This page will be updated daily and will provide students with information and links to videos and activities. We used this page during the school year, so the students are very familiar with it.
The second way I will be communicating with students will be through my Google Classroom. I have created a new Google Classroom to use during our Remote Online Learning, so students will need to join it to access the materials. The join code is: pdokmpv
Tomorrow morning, students will be able to access a review packet on my Google Classroom. This packet is being provided to all 6th-grade students in the district and is meant as a review of Quarter 1, 2 and 3 material. The packet is fairly long and is not meant to be completed in one sitting, instead, we hope that students finish one or two passages a day. The packets can be printed off, or students may read the material in Google Classroom and then write their answers down on a sheet of paper. Please understand that the packet is not mandatory and will not be turned in or graded.
Teachers are working the next few weeks to create learning material for Quarter 4. This material will be delivered in person or online, in the event that we cannot return to school. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we will be back in school, as I miss seeing my students each day.
I am here for you. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I may not be able to answer your question, but I can sure find someone who can. I will check my email throughout the day and will get back to you as soon as I can.
As hard of a time as this is, it also has its blessings...take time to make memories with your families--play games, cook, take walks, read and write. You have AMAZING kids and I miss each and every one of them!
We will get through this together,
Kim
#wescottthis