Curriculum & Instruction
What is Distance Learning?
Weekly learning assignments
- Weekly learning activities that use printed packets and some digital materials.
- Assigned by the classroom teacher and submitted by students to the classroom teacher.
- Teachers may provide feedback to students based on the work submitted and use the student work to inform the learning activities for the following week.
Potential student-to-student collaboration
- Potential student-to-student collaboration and communication to support student learning of priority standards and concepts when the teacher determines it’s the right fit for the learning.
- This might involve the use of various applications such as Teams, FlipGrid, Word, PowerPoint, Sway, Stream, and other teaching tools.
Communication via phone, email, and Teams
- Teacher communication with students and families through phone, email, and Microsoft Teams.
- Teacher virtual office hour options for students through Teams.
- Teachers can also call students to work through learning concepts, and feedback together.
Not a replacement for physical school
Distance learning does not replace the normal daily learning experience our students have when physically participating in class face-to-face.
Not an online school and digital-only
Tacoma Public Schools distance learning is not an online school. And it does not mean only digital learning.
Not being on a computer all-day
Distance-learning does not mean students will be on a computer an entire school day to complete 6.5 hours' worth of learning.
What does this mean for students and families?
Students should
- Complete learning activities assigned by your teacher(s).
- Reach out to your teacher(s) if you need support or have questions.
- Engage with the communications your teacher sends you and your family – either through your school email and/or Microsoft Teams.
Families should
- Check email on the schedule communicated by your principal.
- Consider providing a small workspace or location where students consistently engage in learning activities.
- Establish a routine and a physical space to help students mentally engage and focus on learning.
What kind of learning activities can I expect?
Preschool
Optional engaging learning activities for short bursts of time in the following areas:
- English Language Arts
- Math
- Science
- Health
- Physical Education
- Social Emotional Learning (SEL)/ Whole Child
Grades K-5
1 – 2 hours of learning activities per week on essential standards for each content area:
- English Language Arts
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies
- Music
- Physical Education
- Social Emotional Learning (SEL)/ Whole Child
Grades 6-12
2 – 3 hours of learning activities a week on essential standards per content area:
- English Language Arts
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies
- Music, Physical Education, World Languages, & Visual Arts depending on which course(s) a student is enrolled
- Social Emotional Learning (SEL)/ Whole Child