Kindergartners quickly adapt to distance learning

Kindergarten students at Monsignor Slade Catholic School are experiencing learning in a novel way.  Due to our extended closure, their teacher, Miss Eckstein has created fun, distance-learning experiences for them.  And, as adaptable as children are, these students are taking it in stride.

Among the activities and assignments Miss Eckstein asked her students to undertake, she included: build leprechaun traps, make playdough with an adult then play with it, and create flash cards for their high-frequency words.  She also shared a list of optional activities; her suggestions for St. Patrick’s day included:
Try following the directions of your “how to” in your journal, and actually make it. If you wrote about baking cookies or making macaroni and cheese, try those activities.

• Check out the San Diego Zoo life cams while having a picnic lunch.  Enjoy watching what the animals are doing.
• Lego Play Challenge: Build with your eyes closed for five minutes.
• Eat something green! Try a green smoothie or add green food coloring to a food or drink to make it green.
• Make a St. Patrick’s Day treat. Miss Eckstein planned to make cereal treats using Lucky Charms cereal.
• Make green playdough.
• Look at the Scholastic News: “Welcome to Ireland,” find the tips on how to catch a leprechaun, then build your own leprechaun trap.

Parents of students in Miss Eckstein’s class partnered with their children to help them reap the most reward possible from these projects. Many parents reached out to Miss Eckstein and thanked her.  Mr. Holstege, a parent of kindergarten, second grade, and sixth grade students, said, “You all have done a great job getting these lessons together and thanks for the creativity in your plans. It is tough, but I have everything I need to teach the lessons.”  Another parent, Mrs. Koppi appreciated the detailed lesson plans. She said, “The organized plans and worksheets are easy to follow and our family enjoyed the links and videos you provided.”
Finally, Mrs. Dragos summed up the sentiments of many parents who are currently home with their school-aged children, “Many thanks to the teachers! Homeschooling is hard!”

The students truly stepped up to their tasks. Miss Eckstein shared photos of her students.  Impressed by her students' creativity and hard work, she said, “How great?! So proud of them, and so impressed by our families who are stepping up!” Great work to the students and families of Slade’s Class of 2028!