April 28, 2020 submitted by by Sandra Baldeon, Founder and Executive Director, SELA. All photos courtesy of SELA.
(photo above of Indigo, at Toddler at SELA, loves her virtual classroom and the morning activities it provides.)
Younger students are already familiar with how to use iPhones and the adoption of new technology looks and feels easier for them. But what parents and educators didn’t know was that soon enough this technology would bring students, teachers and school communities together, all interacting, virtually.
Spencer, a JuniorK student, continues his vocabulary and grammar lesson, focused on Community Helpers!
During this challenging time, with school closings and mandated social distancing, this new virtual era will keep learning alive while students are away from the traditional classroom. Math, English, Music, Spanish lessons, Art Class, Phys Ed and more will help to further develop students, maintain continuity and familiarity in this challenging time and give students something structured, fun and engaging to look forward to while at home!
Emerson, a Second grader at SELA’s Elementary School, engages with her Spanish teacher during her daily online class session.
At SELA, a private preschool and Elementary school in Hingham, this virtual learning model is already the new norm. For Early Global learners – infants through JuniorK - teachers have been recreating classroom lessons through songs, stories, and demonstrations so students feel comfortable and familiar with their normal classroom routine. Elementary students’ curriculum has continued in the virtual classroom so there has been no downtime or loss of learning time. Students experience daily lessons and work in Spanish, English, Science, Math, and Chinese and weekly lessons in Physical Education and Art.
Cecily, a Preschool student watching her morning routine with her teachers, online!
SELA is also working hard to develop content to share with the local community – from story times to yoga to simple at-home crafts – activities will be popping up on their Facebook and Instagram pages.
As teachers and schools work to find new and interesting ways to engage with their students in a virtual classroom, it is with amazement we see students adjust and embrace this new way of learning.