Remote Learning
In my classroom, I like to keep what we do engaging, simple, and meaningful. So when schools were closed, and we had to turn to remote learning, I wanted the assignments I sent home to, of course, be engaging, simple, and meaningful. Here is a list of learning activities that I sent home with my 2nd grade class when we were turned to remote learning.
When I first thought what to send home during remote learning, I thought about what I wanted my students to be doing everyday to keep their learning sharp. Well, I wanted them reading, writing, and doing math. So I made a simple, yet engaging choice board.
Each day, students pick one reading activity, one writing activity, and one math activity to complete at home. I love how it gives students choice so they feel like they are in control of their learning. Plus, it is always more motivating and engaging to students when they get a choice in their assignment.
I made this Home Learning Choice Board to share with teachers to help during this crazy time as we transition to distance learning. It is free and editable. So make any changes to meet your grade level or students’ needs. Find the link to the Choice Board here.
I also knew that with this time of remote learning, I wanted to make things easy on parents and families. I wanted to reduce their stress and help students be entertained by their learning at home. So I sent home games that we usually play in the classroom home with students. That way they can continue to practice the skills they learned throughout the school year in a game form with their family members.
I knew I wanted to send home Math Fact Games. My students play these in the classroom as a fast finisher activity. But it was unrealistic to make 23 sets of Math Fact Old Maid cards to send home. But the one math game that was super simple to send home was Math Facts Don’t Eat Pete. All you have to do is print and it is ready for students. I sent home an addition version and subtraction version for students to play at home with their families.
Another math fact game that I knew would be simple to send home was Math Facts Memory Match. All I had to do was print on construction paper and they were ready to send home. Students can cut out the cards at home, giving me one less thing to do in the crazy time.
Another skill I want my students to keep up on is their sight words. So I sent home Sight Word Board Games for my students to play with family members. Again, this was easy for me to prep because all I had to do was type in the sight words once and print! Most students have dice at home and something to use as game players. These Sight Word Board Games are completely editable, so type in the words you want students to focus on, print, and they are ready to be sent home.
A big skill in second grade is learning how to regroup with addition and subtraction. The students have worked so hard on this skill all year long that I did not want them forgetting how to do it while we are not in the classroom. So I sent home some addition and subtraction regrouping worksheets with my students to give them the extra practice they need at home. Or addition and subtraction strategies worksheets here.
I hope you have found these ideas for remote learning helpful. I have gotten positive feedback from parents thanking me for helping to make this time less stressful. Are you teaching students more online during this time? Check out my blog post all about Online Student Engagement Tips.
Looking for more student engagement ideas and tips? Download this free workbook all about creating an engaged classroom.
