Monday, April 6, 2020

Magnificent Monday!

April 6, 2020

Good Morning Families,

I hope this letter finds you well, and you were able to enjoy the weekend. The weather was nice and the evening sky amazing to look at with the moon and Venus.

As we begin this week, week 3, many of your classroom teachers will becoming more visual and interactive. Several teachers have created google classrooms or see saw classrooms. The classrooms will make it easier to teach new information. Most of your child’s day should be regular education as it was during regular school session. I will work with your child on individualized goals during our time together. If your child needs additional help with the regular education classes, please let me know. I am happy to be available.

I am proud of you all working together in this “new normal.” Spending time with your children, reading, playing board games, helping with worksheets and getting outside, these things are all great.

Many new resources have been added to my blog, including some fun scavenger hunts! Take some photos and share them with me of your finds.

Technically I have struggled with my computer and the ability to use ZOOM meetings or Google Meets. I am eager to have this resolved and work with your children. Thank you for your patience!

Keep practicing your math facts and sight words! Have fun with your new packets, and please let me know if there is anything you need or have questions about.

Sincerely,

Debora Herrera

Saturday, April 4, 2020

Here are additional reading resources!

https://www.readingelephant.com/ for free books to download and print or read online.

https://www.readingrockets.org/ Amazing resource for kids and adults.

Friday, April 3, 2020

How about a scavenger hunt?

Image may contain: nature, possible text that says 'BACKYARD SCAVENGER HUNT Find 3 kinds of leaves.. orimary_implayground Find something yellow. Name a bug that is red. Find 2 sticks. Find something that smells good. Name something you see in the sky. Find something that is round. Find something that grows that is green. Find a bird. Find 3 different colored rocks. Find something purple. Find a bug.'

Thursday, April 2, 2020

Another great resource!
Free online mindfulness class for kids
https://www.mindfulschools.org/free-online-mindfulness-class-for-kids/

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Read Can You See 3

https://portal.flyleafpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/books/5-Can-You-See-3/mobile/index.html#p=1

Homework

https://portal.flyleafpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/10_dot-likes-to-dig.jpg

Read Dot likes to Dig

https://portal.flyleafpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/10_dot-likes-to-dig.jpg

Homework

https://portal.flyleafpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/10_dot-likes-to-dig.jpg

Here is a great math resource!
Our math program, Origo has made resources free and easily available to families. I will use some of these materials when working with your child. Check it out, fun stuff with Math!

Origo program

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Hi Families, here are some great math games you can play with your kids! Have fun while learning!

KGN

Ten Bears On A Bus

Playing Hiding Bears

Introducing Car Race

1^st and 2^nd

Introducing Evens and Odds

Fishing for Tens

Salute

2^nd – 4^th

Name that Number

Monday, March 30, 2020

Here is a fun writing activity!
Image may contain: possible text that says 'WANT TO WRITE TO PETE THE CAT? SEND FAN MAIL TO: PETE THE CAT 2126 E. VICTORY DRIVE #112 SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 31404'

Image may contain: possible text that says 'WANT TO WRITE TO PETE THE CAT? SEND FAN MAIL TO: PETE THE CAT 2126 E. VICTORY DRIVE #112 SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 31404'

March 30, 2020

Dear families,

I am so excited to start interacting with many of your children doing mini lessons via videoconferencing this week using ZOOM or Google meets! I understand this is not always the best option, but we can see how it goes. Please note, continuing with the worksheet packets (that I sent home) is completely acceptable and is working well for many of you. Also, know that any form of life skill instruction that you choose is also wonderful – cooking, time with nature, journal writing, practice with time telling, etc. This is all new for us and we are all learning, let’s have fun with it!

Having all these accessible resources is exciting, but it can be overwhelming as well. I will add resources to my blog, but please do not feel the need to click each one to investigate. Additionally, our team is trying to make sure you feel connected, however if you are feeling “connection” overload, send me an email or give me a call and let me know your thoughts. Managing work from home, supporting remote learning for your children and all the other changes we have had to adjust to, can be a lot.

If for any reason you did not receive an email with your child’s Remote Learning Plan, and the Written Prior Notice (Form 7a) please let me know. Please type a statement on the consent to use virtual media along with your name and send it back to me.

Lastly, if you have the technology to scan or send me a picture of completed work, I’d love to see it! I saw this on FB as a nice way to “scan” work to the teacher. See instructions below.

Best,

Debora Herrera

Westshire Elementary Special Educator

dherrera@rivendellschool.org

Sunday, March 29, 2020

Watch this fun video:
Glued Sounds by Mr. M
https://youtu.be/9NVREF2UgVs

Friday, March 27, 2020

Great Community meeting video!

https://www.wevideo.com/view/1626507910

Elizabeth Duvall, Music Teacher

Samuel Morey Elementary School and Westshire Elementary School

SME (802) 333-9755 WES (802) 333-4668

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

A great instructional video about Touch Math!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_DvrTtRx_Y&feature=youtu.be

Touch Math for parents by Mr. M

Here is a great game you can play with your kids!

Tens Go Fish Instructions

https://youtu.be/W7f4bs8MaVc

Mr. M will show your parents how to play Tens Go Fish. Check it out!

Mr. M works at SME!

Resources for Writing

Paragraph Writing Templates

COPS editing checklist

Managing Anxiety

Psychotherapist Lynn Lyons shares practical tips on how to help children (

and adults) tolerate uncertainty, cope with anxiety, avoid "catastrophic thinking," strike a balance between rigidity & flexibility, and preserve our mental health. Click here to watch this 22-minute video. (Hint: schedules & routine matter.)

Resources for Parents & Caregivers of Preschool-Aged Children

Play matters: Click here to read about the importance of playtime for children (from the National Association for the Education of Young Children).

Play-based alphabet activities for preschoolers.

Play-based math activities for preschoolers.

Monday, March 23, 2020

March 22, 2020

Dear Families,

Week 1 – March 23- March 28, 2020

I hope you are all adapting to this new normal. It is a lot to get used to! Continue to stay healthy! I am enjoying spending time with my family and the opportunity to do things outside. Each week I will add a letter to my blog.

By March 28th, you should receive your child’s Distance Learning Plan. This is the plan we will develop together on the telephone. It details the days and times of contact you will be hearing from me and the learning coaches during the week. Some of you may hear from OT, PT and Speech as well.

Sunday, March 22, 2020

https://www.readworks.org/

Free articles at grade level with comprehension questions

This link will take you to real live authors and actors reading picture books! https://www.weareteachers.com/virtual-author-activities/

Here are other fun educational websites to browse while you are home!

Math Game Websites: Here are some fun math websites your kids will enjoy: Istation, Flocabulary, Kahoot
ELA Game Websites: Funbrain, BrainPop, ABCYA
Other Fun Apps: Pic Collage, author websites to listen to online books, GoNoodle, Handwriting Without Tears, Amazon Kindle has free books online for students.

If reading is something you and your children enjoy, great news, Audible is now free. Find many interesting titles and begin reading.

Awesome News! Audible is Free! “For as long as schools are closed, we’re open. Starting today, kids everywhere can instantly stream an incredible collection of stories, including titles across six different languages, that will help them continue dreaming, learning, and just being kids. All stories are free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet. Explore the collection, select a title and start listening.”

It’s that easy.: https://adbl.co/stories

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

More educational resources

Elementary (K-5) Resources

Adventure Academy

What It Is: This MMO game gives kids something other online learning resources may lack: a sense of community. Students up to age 13 play games to learn across a range of topics (math, reading, social studies, science, and more), while also creating their own online persona and interacting with others in the game.
What They’re Offering: In addition to their usual 30-day free trial, Age of Learning is offering Adventure Academy free to schools closed due to the outbreak. Contact them here for more information.

here.

Breakout EDU

What It Is: Breakout EDU uses online games to bring the fun of escape rooms to learning across the elementary curriculum.
What They’re Offering: They’ve put together a list of free online games kids can play at home. Click here to see them.

What They’re Offering: Schools affected by COVID-19/coronavirus can get free access until May 2020 or the school reopens. Contact them here.

Writing ideas

Write to me Write to me about your adventures, Debora Herrera at: dherrera@RivendellSchool.org, or keep a
What I have been doing/ how I am feeling journal so you don’t forget all your fun adventures and thoughts. Spend some time researching and writing about someone or something in your community - not only does it build research and writing skills, but helps kids develop a deeper sense of place.

This is a photo I took while walking to Sabbaday Falls, incredible natural beauty!

Keep Moving!

Kinesthetic Learning Happening here....

Kinesthetic Children Need to Move

"Hop on the sound you hear" "Jump to the correct letter name"... These are just examples of how Samuel Morey Students are using their motor skills to help with literacy acquisition. Research tells us that kinesthetic learners need to move. Children show us when they wiggle, tap, swing their legs, bounce, or just can’t sit still. Kinesthetic learners use their bodies and their sense of touch to learn and grow. They often have excellent “physical” memory and they learn quickly when they are physically "doing" while learning. This is why we plan to keep moving and learning here at WES.

Another helpful link for you

https://www.wbtw.com/health/coronavirus/scholastic-releases-free-daily-courses-for-kids-stuck-home-amid-coronavirus-school-closures/

Virtual Field Trips

Here is a fun family activity

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SvIdgTx9djKO6SjyvPDsoGlkgE3iExmi3qh2KRRku_w/mobilebasic

Vermont Parental Rights in Special Education

https://education.vermont.gov/sites/aoe/files/documents/edu-special-education-parents-rights-in-special-education.pdf

COVID-19 Update

March 17, 2020

Dear Families,

I have developed a packet of work for your student based on their specialized instruction goals. These packets are mostly review and should be relatively independent for the child. They are workbook style packets. I’m hoping that you will be able to access some of the free on-line learning tools. I will post some links. I have also copied a sample schedule to help structure the day. If you need money for stamps, I am happy to provide that for you. Please just let me know. Email me, text or call me with any questions or needs along the way. I will certainly miss your child. The best part of my job is the children.

All the best to you, stay healthy! Debora Herrera

dherrera@rivendellschool.org