I hope everyone is doing well at home and adjusting to your new normal.   I want to start this note by asking for your patience as we work through this home learning experience.  It is new for all of us and there will be “glitches” and “problems”.    

I have compiled a list of possible learning opportunities for your child.  This is not a do everything list. You may also add your own activities to the list.  The province has suggested that students complete 2 hours of home learning each day along with 30 minutes of reading and 30 minutes of physical activity.  Some suggestions for Physical activities will be posted below.  Each family is living a different experience and home learning will look different for each student.   As a parent, you will help your child to pick learning opportunities to best help them continue their learning.   Some activities like Mathletics and Reflex will be familiar to students as we used them in class.   Some students have used ShowMe in class while others have not.   Please reach out to me through email (angela.mcquaidmurphy@nbed.nb.ca) should you need usernames and passwords. 

I will also be including some new learning opportunities to keep things interesting and to provide new experiences.   You will also see “old fashion worksheets” that students can print, or open up and complete on paper at home. 

Pick and choose what works for your family.   Do not feel pressured to complete activities that do not work for your child at home.    Remember to take time each day for physical activity and to promote mental health.  If they are frustrated, they are not learning, and it is not a positive experience. 

Below are instructions for programs we will be using: 

ShowMe: 

ShowMe will have videos of me talking (in French) as I work through a few examples of new material.  I will introduce new terms and demonstrate how work should be displayed.   Students can stop the video and try the questions and return to the video to see the answers.  I will place a few questions at the end for students to try at home either on paper, or by making their own ShowMe to post to the group forum.  I approve the video before classmates can see them.  Students can then watch their classmate's videos to see how to work out questions they may need help with.  We can learn from each other.  I will watch and approve videos throughout the week.  Videos need to be made with an iPad.  No worries if you cannot make them at home.   

Mathletics: 

Mathletics will have “tasks” that are practice questions.  Every student has different tasks and I move students on depending on how they did on the previous tasks.   Students can redo tasks to get a better score.   Once assigned tasks are done, students may go into the “play” zone to play games or into the “live Mathletics” to compete against fellow classmates or students from around the world.   I can always assign more questions if students need more practice.  If students want to work on more challenging questions send me an email.   Yes, some students do get tasks from higher grades when they are ready! 

Please remember that students can switch between their two Mathletics class with the drop-down menu under their avatar.  FI class is grade level material and the fluency class is review of previous grades. 

See the link for a tour of the Mathletics console: https://vimeo.com/202199842

Reflex: 

Reflex is a program that reviews and builds fluency in basic math facts.  It is done in a tutorial and game format.  The program keeps track of what math facts the student is successful with and reviews those the student has trouble with.   Students are asked to practice this three times a week.  They should get a green circle each time before they stop a session.  If you do not have access to Reflex at home, please practice with flashcards. 

Flashcards: 

I have posted a multiplication flashcard file.  Students can use them to practice their multiplication facts.   They can also work with someone to play the game “war”.   Students are used to doing this in class.  You may also create your own flash cards at home.  Another fun way to practice is to fix the cards to the wall and have someone say the answer to a question and you fire a nerf gun to hit the question that goes with the answer.  Please be safe and wear sunglasses or safety goggles.   

Worksheets: 

Practice questions to review and learn new concepts. Worksheets are not passed in, but the answers will be posted the following week.  Students can make a ShowMe video for questions from the worksheet and post them to help each other.  Worksheets would be an option if Mathletics is not working on your home device.   

Projects: 

These will not be posted the first week.  Projects will help students learn math and science through real life activities.  These use basic math facts.  Students may need help to review previously taught math in order to complete the project.   If you do not have the materials for a project, feel free to change it up and modify it.  The projects will be suggestions and you can make them your own.  These projects will use both math and STEM.   

The announcements for the week can be found here: 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JHqyHinTleg 

As we go forward, please give me some feedback as to what your child found helpful.  None of these learning opportunities are mandatory.  Practice your multiplication (Reflex or flashcards) and choose a couple activities.   We all work at a different pace and have different interest and resources at home. Home learning will be a new experience for us all.