Working Hand-In-Hand with Families during Distance Learning To Monitor Progress

Click clack. Prinnng Prinng. Whoosh. These sounds constantly emerge from my phone each day. Between the class dojo messages, emails, google classroom notifications, phone calls and more my phone is rarely ever silent- unless it is dead from exhaustion! Amongst the sea of alerts on my phone I’ve come to realize that the one question responsible for these constant alerts is “What am I missing”? Or “What assignments does my child need to complete/has completed”?. A valid question-that can be solved with a push of a button. Using google sheets to track students assignments is a great way to hold students accountable as well as keep parents informed about their child’s progress during distance learning.

Maneuvering from Teacher Lens to Parent Lens

As you know with the effects of social distancing and distance learning- everybody’s daily schedule has been thrown for a loop. While some students are logging on at 8am others are starting at 1pm. Not to mention parents schedules are just as different. So how do you assist them with their weeks progress while trying to make some time for yourself so you aren’t glued to your devices without feeling guilty. Using this google sheet template you allow parents to have a bit more control of their situation- and trust me any bit of control we can have over this situation is a reassuring feeling. You allow parents to stay on top of their child’s progress with a quick click of a button during a coffee break, their lunch break or doing a time when they are able without having to wait for a response! I have learned that by doing this students start to become more aware of their assignments it allows you to visually see which students are doing well and which students may need your support.

Here are some ideas on how to maintain students privacy when sharing document if you don’t want names to be seen by all and want to share it with families

1. First names only
2. Only screenshot the one students work and send as an attachment on Class Dojo portfolio or email
3. Use student ID numbers
4. Use student numbers that were in the classroom
5. Use a nickname that they personally selected and/or icon for younger ones
6. Use email addresses or Parent Names 

The list goes on but just make sure you know which student is what column and parents know as well.

GET YOUR TEMPLATE HERE 

                                                                    Lively Teaching, 
                                                                     
                                                                    Jessica Magana