I send video messages to the students before and during the two weeks, and we meet online every two to three days for an age-appropriate amount of time (more on that below). Of course, the online learning space is different from the classroom, but with the right approach, teachers can use stories to cultivate connections and empathy. Two club members, Michael and Matthew Lendl, said that in the year that they have been in the Pen Pal club, “We have met some really special friends. Virtual Classes for Wissahickon Elementary Students . As we ask questions about the story, we ask questions about ourselves, and ideally this self-reflection leads to self-discovery. Dates: Wednesdays January 20 to March 10, 2021. Photographers of any skill level are welcome! Time: 1:00 - 2:00 PM. They appreciate the supportive comments in the chat.” Cooking club allows students to share their favorite recipes and to try some new ones. With a shyer group, having students answer a reading question in writing before sharing gives them the chance to process their ideas and become confident contributors. My role in a virtual book club is most often determined by the group participating, and I meet students where they are. Our nature online book clubs are Teachable courses that guide your student through reading picture books while adding optional handwriting practice. Also, we have virtual clubs running Tuesday – Friday from 12:15 PM – 12:45 PM. One parent said of her daughters’ participation in the Cooking club, “As the mother and home teacher, I know the clubs help both of my girls explore new interests and make them feel quite connected to Laurel Springs and the other students. Learn more and join in the fun → Dennis thinks that the club is fun and educational. Thanks to a $20,000 donation from D.L. Let students take the lead: Student-to-student conversation is better than student-to-teacher discussion, and the less the teacher chimes in, the better. And hopefully, you’ll have the whole class begging for more. There are so many leadership activities for elementary students that not only promote leadership qualities, but also teach students the importance of teamwork. (This site is updated every few days, so to see the latest links be sure to refresh the site if you're a return visitor!) K12 Student Clubs We're hard at work finalizing club offerings for the 2020–2021 school year. Art Clubs at Our Online School Art Club. Campers are sorted into virtual cabins of 6 to 8 students and meet daily for counselor-guided activities, and then there are optional camp-wide activities kids can also join. Just as I do for my traditional classes, I bring a lesson plan to the online book chat. When you join one of our clubs, you have the chance to meet fellow LSS students from all over the world who share your interests. You can read the others in this series here. Choose Clubs That Work. Sharing other information—not too personal, like a favorite book or board game—goes a long way to creating community online. Club sponsor Kristene Baldwin said, “Students become more and more confident about sharing the world as they see it. Here are some beloved group games that are ideal for virtual gatherings: Settlers of Catan, Dominion, Ticket to Ride, Words with Friends, and Pandemic, or browse available games on apps like Tabletop, Pogo or Poki, which provide online arenas for playing board games, just like in real life! Gasser Construction, virtual public school students in Baraboo will have more social-emotional support next semester than they did this semester. I ask each student to bring a pencil, a piece of paper, and the book to each class. We will be offering a variety of topics throughout the year. Join us to share your talents and develop new skills! Arts and Crafts Club. When schools moved to a distance learning model in March 2020, I immediately began running virtual book clubs for students of all ages, and students that I teach signed up right away. Sponsor Francine Varner said that the club uses a children’s news website as a starting point for their discussions. They are designed for students ages Pre-K through elementary. Some (think robotics) may need to be on hold until spring at the earliest. When you join one of our clubs, you have the chance to meet fellow LSS students from all over the world who share your interests. Eight virtual chess classes delivered via Zoom designed for children 5 to 11 years of age. Three options are available for children ages 7-11: 1. Book Clubs for the Upper Elementary Classroom. But did you know that Laurel Springs offers a wide variety of clubs for students in Kindergarten through eighth grade? Thanks to the Seattle Seawolves for the words of encouragement to our Club youth! We have our first round of virtual clubs ready to go. Each book club is made up of 4 parts that are designed to be a month-long nature study. It’s a neat time to build confidence in talking on the microphone and discussing art in a fun forum. Students have the opportunity to create original designs and artwork, share their artwork with peers, learn about appropriate critique guidelines, and provide feedback to other club members. Students all begin reading on the same day, and generally read the same amount each day; if students fall behind or read ahead, that’s OK. My goal is to design a positive, affirming experience. By Kelci Lynn Lucier , Contributor March 12, 2015 For a long while, I’ve held a deep belief that reading, both solitary and communal, has an impact on who we are and how we interact with the world. Kids Cook Real Food. My 7th grade son, Gregory, and my 10th grade daughter, Cynthia, also attend Mr. Human’s Music club and enjoy it for the same reasons.”. Inspire your kid to focus with tips for elementary, middle, and high schoolers from Boys & Girls Clubs of America. If the discussion takes turns I hadn’t expected, I welcome the circuitous direction while also guiding the group toward a meaningful experience. Here are some examples of questions a teacher can apply to just about any story: 5. Book clubs are a great way to engage students with reading and help build a reading culture at your school. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Check out your favorite virtual Club below! We are starting out small with plans to grow larger. ZOOM into chess with Shining Knights. The only way to do this is to make reading a fun task. Photography club is my favorite club. Filed Under: School Announcements Tagged With: Laurel Springs Clubs, Laurel Springs Virtual Clubs, Online Clubs, Socialization, Socialization Opportunity, Virtual Clubs. Home ClubsVirtual Classes for Wissahickon Elementary Students. He loves learning about different styles of music and different kinds of instruments from all over the world. Most importantly, virtual social clubs exist to support online students in their journey to finishing school. Students taking our Elementary Science courses will explore Earth, Life, and Physical Sciences through problem solving, experimentation, creating models, analyzing and interpreting data, engineering, and more! These clubs represent just a small sampling of the clubs offered to students in grades K-8, so take a moment to explore our full list. Students always surprise each other with the way they view the world. [Club sponsor] Mr. Human is a fantastic teacher, as well as a warm and friendly person. He enjoys learning about the history and the social impact of music. About The Virtual Book Club for Kids. With that in mind, I encourage intentional text-to-self connections. 2. We also have a friend we met through the Pen Pal club that is in California, which we use Skype to communicate. Virtual schools can instantly expand a school district’s course offerings to include AP classes, languages, and extracurricular courses. This Buzzle article gives you a few such activities that can inculcate the essence of leadership among children at this very stage. This truly is a great opportunity to learn how to discuss art, ask questions, chat, and present.”  Sixth grade student Kasja said, “I really like sharing the pictures I have taken during the month, talking to people about them, and answering questions. We met up with them at the Laurel Springs field trip recently. Which character do you think you’re most like? Students can explore traditional and 3D art, graphic design and photography in this club for elementary and middle school students. Laurel Springs students who want to join a club should send an email to clubs@laurelsprings.com with the student’s full name, grade level, and the name of the club you would like to join. Explore options for setting up and running a book club. #SafetyLearningFun #whateverittakes 1. It makes a difference for them and for me too, to see their interest and excitement about discovering their world and relating to it.” Parents also appreciate their child’s involvement in clubs. Explore a full line-up of interactive, virtual cooking classes and virtual summer camps for preschoolers, elementary kids, and teens. Older students can handle longer meetings, but I suggest under an hour. Laurel Springs’ Approach to Online Schooling, Our Online School Technology Requirements, © 2021 Laurel Springs School: Accredited Online Private School. I really like using video messages to emphasize connection, and these videos also help us spend our time effectively and keep our conversations focused. Another important way children can grow both personally and socially is by participating in extracurricular clubs and activities. The following authors offer free 15-minute virtual chats with book clubs and classes that have read one of their books! Ensuring that quieter students feel included might mean having students show a drawing or character chart, asking them to read a line from the story, or giving them the chance to show their annotations on a certain section. ATTENTION VIRTUAL ONLY STUDENTS!! We’re excited to reconnect with you and get rugby back in our Clubs when it’s safe to do so too! One of the best ways to make the ‘task’ of reading look fun is to organize an online or virtual book club. Students are all looking for connections, and clubs are the perfect way for them to build bonds over a shared topic of interest. Read more about each of our clubs through the following links. Students in grades K-8 can turn everyday objects into art with the Arts and Crafts Club. Ask text-to-self questions: Reading with a teacher and other students enhances students’ understanding of the story—and also their own experiences. An online book club takes reading to computer-stricken students. These virtual summer camp ideas offer the best summer classes for kids and summer school ideas for kids, ages K-12. Attending class is a fundamental part of school, but it’s only one facet of a student’s experience. The PA Virtual Photography Club is open to students in grades 7-12. VIRTUAL CLUBS ARE HERE!!! Here are tips for moving your school clubs virtual this year. Sign up for a class or check out their video archive.You can also set up a Private Virtual Event!. Please check the Announcements section in the OLS (Online School) for a list of the latest club offerings. Throughout this last year, we have remained close and e-mail on a regular basis. Sponsor Marleen Luckman said, “It gives them an opportunity to practice presentation and speaking skills.”, Younger students often attend clubs with a parent. There are directions on her site for how to virtually check out a book and then when it can be picked up. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. When schools moved to a distance learning model in March 2020, I immediately began running virtual book clubs for students of all ages, and students that I teach signed up right away. Schools can offer opportunities to build connections through virtual classroom discussions, chats and … I provide a reading guide ahead of time. Now is a great time to join a club! We are going to New York to visit them around the holidays as well. No matter the students’ ages, or whether they’re in a small group setting or a large seminar discussion, conversations about books tend to turn into conversations about being human. Poet's Pantry Field Trip: An online field trip that teaches grade 3-6 students about poetry. Because the groups are small and low stakes (but high reward) learning experiences, the close-knit setting also encourages students to take healthy risks, practice self-reflection, and empower themselves as learners. Edutopia® and Lucas Education Research™ are trademarks or registered trademarks of the George Lucas Educational Foundation in the U.S. and other countries. All students can now check out library books through Mrs. Rushton’s library media site. The impetus for the reading groups is my belief that a sense of belonging supports a student’s social and emotional health, and book clubs provide connection in myriad ways. Why. 4. For example, our Photography club explores the world of images through games, lessons, and an exploration of student photography. Begin with an icebreaker: One gift of online reading groups is that often the students don’t know everyone in the group. One Laurel Springs mom said of her son’s club participation, “Dennis and I really enjoy the Music club. Join Mrs. Kimball’s online video course where she guides kids as they master 30 basic cooking skills. ... Book Clubs are an opportunity for students to form partnerships in reading. Our virtual clubs meet about once a month, and are specially tailored for students in specific age ranges. No one ever takes the same picture. Get to Know Poe: Students in grades 7-12 can discover the life and works of American writer Edgar Allen Poe in this website. Take a step back and assess your existing school clubs. Following the 5E Instructional Model, students will engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate as … Theater Arts Club What supporters say. (You can see the list here.) Because of word of mouth and social media, soon I had book groups for children of all ages and children from all over the country. Virtual schools offer a quick fix. The goals of the clubs are to develop and inspire new photography techniques and facilitate growth in student creativity. Which character do you think you might be friends with? Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. Virtual book clubs can help engage students in independent reading by giving them opportunities to stay connected beyond the classroom, says Ryan Kinser. I use the Google extension BombBomb (which is currently free for teachers), but there are other apps for this as well. For example, some schools offer a Newspaper Club in which students … Paid and free programs The overarching goal of an online reading group is to promote a love of literature in a positive, supportive environment. Welcome to Virtual School Activities for all ages! A collection of sites to live webcams, virtual tours/trips, and other miscellaneous fun educational sites. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. Many people are familiar with typical high school clubs, such as Student Council. Welcome to our Kids 6-12+ Virtual Clubs! To arrange a virtual visit, check out the authors’ websites for book choices and contact information. They are around an hour and half away from where we live in New Jersey. 3. We have been with Laurel Springs since Kindergarten, and really enjoy that there is a club that gives us a chance to communicate with other students and share our school years with them.”, Students in grades 4-8 enjoy the World Current Events club. Book Clubs… Every Teacher’s Dream Come True. Registration is first-come, first-served. Grades 6–12 Arts and Cra… Elementary students need to make connections with their teachers and peers. If the group needs more support, I pose questions and encourage them to discuss. This is the fourth installment in a series of posts with ideas and suggestions for running effective literacy circles or book clubs with students from second grade through high school. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Underscore preparation as a means of participation: As I run online book groups, I work hard to both ensure that everyone participates and acknowledge that participation can take many different forms. From virtual STEM camps, DIY craft camps, to computer coding camps, find it … Would you like to live in the story’s setting? Find ideas for discussions and activities your book club will enjoy. It has encouraged me to get outside and take pictures with my friends.”, Our Pen Pal club connects Laurel Springs students who live far away, or close enough to connect in person. ... especially in the fall when students adjust to smaller classes, alternate schedules and a continuation of virtual learning that began in the spring. Take an Advanced Placement Course this Semester. Virtual STEM Clubs 2020-2021 – LIVE via Zoom. We have separated the clubs by grade level and school if … This first set of clubs will run throughout the month of February. Teachers should work to make a connection to individual students and be available for voice or video calls. All Rights Reserved. Because of word of mouth and social media, soon I had book groups for children of all ages and children from all over the country. Students tempted to go to the mall, instead of logging on for school, may fall behind so quickly that it will be a struggle to catch up. Keep in mind that it’s important for everyone to know each other’s name. Intentionally creating space for each student is paramount. The Pen Pal club gives us an opportunity to meet other Laurel Springs students who have a lot in common with us. I try to keep book meetings for elementary and middle schoolers to 30 minutes or less. Authors Who Skype With Classes & Book Clubs (for free!) If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Add some challenge. Without peer pressure, many students gain confidence and participate freely. You can enhance your elementary, middle and high school years by becoming involved in student activities at FLVS. Contact Us 27 Main Street North, Box 402 Bayfield, Ontario, Canada N0M 1G0 phone: 1-647-247-4773 fax: 1-519-565-4100 email: info@virtualelementaryschool.com With that information, it’s easy to plan how to start the first few minutes of the reading group. Our two closest friends from Laurel Springs live in New York. Shakespeare Virtual Trip: A Shakespeare virtual field trip for students in grade 4-8. Students read a book together, collaborate to get a job done, and share in the joy of exploring a book together. Online interactive learning and reading activities for interactive whiteboards, computer labs, and students PreK–8 We are very excited to offer new Science Explorers club programs for the 2020-2021 school year!. Take a closer look at the specific requirements for each club. (Most also offer more in-depth virtual visits for a fee.) Our virtual clubs meet about once a month, and are specially tailored for students in specific age ranges. BombBomb allows me to track who has watched the video ahead of time. Optimize for time: A few days before we begin our book club, I send a video message. “Students who attend all find something of interest to them, either discovering a country for the first time, and finding out about real life there. Sessions range from 12 students to 100! Add some competition. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. He also likes connecting with other Laurel Springs students who share his love of music. Students watch the video ahead of time and come to the first meeting with a common understanding about details like what to bring. I aim for each book club to run for about two weeks, and ideally, each group consists of six to eight students. An online book club organized by a teacher or school librarian can be a good way to foster social interactions during the pandemic. The following is just a small sampling of the online school clubs and activities offered to students: Art Club is designed to spark student creativity by exploring two-dimensional and three-dimensional art, photography, and graphic design through techniques and styles associated with each medium. And, just as I would during my in-person classes, I always anticipate that my plans will change. Students can learn about virtual clubs through school emails, Web pages and personal conversations with fellow students. That said, meet students where they are. Online school ) for a list of the reading group is to make a connection to individual students and available! To new York to visit them around the holidays as well well a... Get to know each other ’ s experience often the students don ’ t know everyone the! 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