Supporting your Children

Parents

In addition to the resources on this site, the Ministry of Education is providing resources where families can find ideas for everyday educational activities, annotated links to free learning resources, as well as how to help children learn and how to ensure their well-being while they are at home. This site is linked in our resources page, and can be found here – www.openschool.bc.ca/keeplearning/ 

Video Conferencing Guideline for Parents and Students

Permission

  • Any participation in video conferencing with your teacher should have parental/guardian consent.
  •  You should not record or capture any part of the presentation.

Web Camera

  • Consider your background and any personal information you will be displaying like photographs or personal items.
  • Be careful of capturing other people in view of the web camera.
  • Be careful of who can be overheard when your microphone is on.
  • This is a school activity and you should be dressed appropriately.

Behaviour

  • Be a respectful listener while a teacher or another student is speaking.
  • Do not be a distraction to others.
  • Your teacher is the moderator and will guide participation in the conference.

Etiquette

  • Good practice is to turn off your video and microphone while someone is speaking.
  • More than one speaker at a time can be difficult to understand.
  • Set your microphone and speaker settings to appropriate levels.
  • Come prepared and on time.

Chat

  • The sidebar chat tools should be used only for classroom discussion.
  • Language used in the chat should be safe and respectful to others.
  • Use proper sentences and avoid ‘texting’ or ‘social media’ style chat.

Structuring the day

You may wish to consider some of the following to support your child: 

  • establish expectations and new routines
  • balance screen time and activities without screens
  • encourage your child to take brain breaks, as they learn,and to move regularly
  • discuss what your child is learning and ask questions
  • establish times for quiet and reflection
  • remain mindful of stress, continue to be available to answer their questions, and let them know you are there to support them. Should you want more information, we have a number of resources on our website (www.burnabyschools.ca) about managing stress, anxiety, and supporting children. 

It is always good to have some form of structure to our days so here is a possibility that might be used to help organize your day. No specific times are attached to a clock, as this may offer the greatest flexibility in any given day. You might also wish to consider negotiating each day with your family to gain the best possible schedule.  

Please note that a shorter timeframe (30 minutes or even less for younger children) is more beneficial than a longer period. You can always redo sessions multiple times to break up the day.  

Reading Time (30 Minutes)

Grab a book and settle down for some reading (individual, shared reading)

Maker Time (30 - 60 Minutes)

Make puppets out of socks or anything in the house; create songs or video, maker crate with boxes, drawing, painting, create a comic book, knit

Numeracy Time (30 Minutes)

Create patterns, map out your home, measure something, play cards

Fitness Time (60 Minutes)

Go outside for a run, walk the dog (if you have one), core work (squats, burpees, lunges), skip, weightlifting with soup cans?

Genius Time (30 - 60 Minutes)

Do an “I wonder” project, learn a new language or a new skill, bake cookies or cupcakes with an adult 

Service Time (30 Minutes)

Do something for someone else in the family. This may be a chore. How about AP dishwashing, or Advanced laundry, or Challenge sweeping?