The transition to distance learning in these last few weeks has been a bit stressful! I teach an Intense Resource Room for students with multiple abilities, and reaching all their needs from a distance is a bit challenging! At school, we work on so many things! How am I supposed to do this when they are at home? Not to mention, I miss seeing their cute faces everyday!
It took me a few weeks to process everything and get organized, but I finally have a weekly plan for my classroom as we begin the journey of Distance Learning. I sat down and took some time to go over all the main areas we try to cover in a single day. Then I created a general lesson plan outline to cover these areas. I included some educational websites we already use, and some new ones for parents to explore at home. I learned how to use some new techie things like EdPuzzle and Screencastify. And, boy am thankful I took some time a few years ago to become Google Certified so I can create some engaging digital activities for my students.
Here are some tutorials that helped me prepare:
EdPuzzle
This tutorial was so helpful because one thing I do in class everyday is READ ALOUDS! I really miss this part of our school day! So in my virtual classroom, I am doing this in two ways: 1) I record myself reading a story book using Screencastify and edit the video with EdPuzzle. 2) I find someone else reading a book on YouTube and edit the video with EdPuzzle.
EdPuzzle allows you to stop a video and insert a question, just as you would pause reading in class and ask a question. There are a variety of questions to choose from and edit. This feature is also great because it will record student responses for you.
Screencastify
Screencastify is definitely a game changer for me. This is what I use to record daily videos, instructional activities, and read alouds to post in my Google Classroom™.
Weekly Lesson Plan for Distance Learning
So how am I running my classroom through Distance Learning? Google Classroom™ is where it all goes. On Sunday night, I post my Weekly Lesson Plan. (CLICK HERE to make a copy of my Weekly Lesson Plan and edit it for your classroom.) I also pre-record videos on Sunday to post each morning. In my videos I briefly talk about the activities for the day and tell them how much I miss them 🙂 If any activities we are doing that day require more instruction from me, I put them in a separate video and attach them to the assignment.
![](https://missashleesclass.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Lesson-plan-image-1-1024x1024.png)
My students are used to a schedule at school, so hopefully my parents can use this Weekly Lesson Plan as a guideline for distance learning. I know with my own personal children, having a schedule at home has been my saving grace. It’s the only way I can homeschool them and teach my classroom at the same time! And believe me, it is chaos most days!
Here is a break down of the content areas I cover in my Weekly Lesson Plan and ideas for activities. I try to remember how this whole distance learning thing is a challenge for all of us, and I definitely do not want to overwhelm my families. I added some stuff just for fun, because that is what we do at school too! Have fun 🙂
Writing
Daily Writing Prompt – I create these in Google Docs™ or Google Slides™. I post a different journal prompt each day. (CLICK HERE to make copy of what I use as a template and edit it for your own classroom.)
If you would like some pre-made Spring Journal Prompts to use with Google Slides™ or a Print Version CLICK HERE!
Reading
Raz-Kids – I have a classroom subscription to Raz-Kids, which provides comprehensive leveled reading books for students. If you do not already use this resource, you can sign up for a Free Trial on the website.
Read aloud activities created with EdPuzzle.
Read a book with a family member and retell the story.
Epic Books – I just signed up for this program and I am so excited to use it. This resource also provides students free access to educational books and videos.
Scholastic Learn at Home – This resource is also free and provides daily learning activities, books, and projects for kids of all grade levels.
Fine Motor Skills
Legos
Building blocks
Paint or Color
Play Doh™ – There are some really cool videos on YouTube for kids to watch and learn to create different objects out of Play Doh™. Here is an example of one:
Draw – There are also some really cool drawing videos on YouTube. One of my favorite kid-friendly channels is Art for Kids Hub. Here is an example of one of the videos:
Curriculum Activities
I use this area to list and link specific lessons from our curriculum. We use the Unique Learning System in my classroom. Each week I login to my account and assign specific lessons to each day. Then, I add a daily video in my Google Classroom™ discussing those lessons, and giving additional instruction as needed.
Specials
In this section, I indicate which Specials class students should go to in the Google Classroom™. If your school does not have specials classes set up in Google Classroom™, you could put activity choice boards or website links here.
Fun Friday – Add a at home craft, recipe, or science experiment to do with the family.
IEP Goal Work
I create individual activities for students to address IEP goals and post them in my Google Classroom™. (CLICK HERE to check out some of my Digital Activities in my TPT Store.)
![digital resource image](https://missashleesclass.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Digital-resources-image-1-1024x1024.png)
Or CLICK HERE to grab this Low Ink, No Prep Sequence and Write Freebie from my Free Resource Library! You can find a detailed blog post about this resource HERE!
![sequence and write freebie](https://missashleesclass.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Sequence-and-write-pic1.png)
Math
Prodigy Math – Free engaging math games.
Depending on the student’s abilities – practice numbers, counting, telling time, identifying coins, more/less, addition/subtraction using household items.
Gross Motor
Play Outside! – Nothing beats fresh air and fun in the sun! Weather permitting, of course! 🙂
I hope you find this Weekly Lesson Plan helpful! CLICK HERE to make a copy for yourself and edit it however you see fit! Please feel free to email me if you have questions at ilovesped@missashleesclass.com!
Thanks for reading! Good luck and stay healthy!
![Ashlee Signature](https://missashleesclass.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/signature1-300x180.jpeg)
There is no affiliation with any websites or videos linked to or discussed in this post. These are resources I use in my own classroom and recommend to you based on my own personal experience.