In progressive education, we know that "one size does NOT fit all." Kids have different learning styles, different academic and socio-emotional needs, and each family has a different schedule and different lifestyle.

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That's why, just as in our regular classrooms, each teacher adapts their program to their particular group, and takes the time to connect with each family and each individual student to hear what they want and need from their remote learning program.

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Early Childhood

In early childhood Pond classes, we understand that young children learn better with hands-on play time versus lots of "screen time." That's why our teachers send home materials and art supplies, and provide parents with simple yet powerful tools and instructions to set up sensory stimulating play areas in their home.

 

Instead of rigid schedules, we help parents adapt our classroom rhythm of the day to their own day as best they can. Face to face videoconferencing and one-to-one conversations with their teacher, are fun and important in preserving the child's connections. Where possible, we promote small projects and fun online gatherings that keep classmates connected to each other, so that even if they are at home alone, they know they have friends who care, and a social circle they are an important and valued part of.
 

Elementary Grades

Older children in our Lake classes are better able to keep to a schedule of classroom activities, so we provide regular group meetings, online class assignments, and project work they can do from home. Most of the time, there is a great deal of flexibility built in so that if a child misses an online chat or lesson, they can view it or jump in later.

 

Our teachers check in with each student regularly to see what they need, what they'd like to do for at-home projects, and help with academic skill building. We try to keep the group working and communicating together, so that each child feels and knows they are a valued part of the group and so that they are still working on building essential social skills. Our teachers also try their best to facilitate the pick-up or delivery of project and learning materials if they're wanted or needed.

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Middle Level

Adolescents in our Ocean classes are usually quite tech savvy, enjoy self-directed learning, and do well in remote group interaction and project work. Our teachers supervise and suggest online resources, and make sure each student is included in, challenged by, and has the technology they need for assignments and projects. (It's not unusual for our Ocean students to bring concrete ways of improving our remote learning to our attention as they discover new software and shortcuts in using our existing platforms.)

 

As in the classroom, our middle level curriculum in remote learning is "problem-based." We encourage students to identify a problem and find answers to those problems through research and critical thinking. Moreover, we often challenge our students to implement solutions to problems through tangible hands on action in real life.

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Finally, we also integrate remote learning activities that prepare middle level students for their transition to high school.